Data Analyst Salary in Boston, MA: $88,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Boston, MA earns a median $88,292/year (≈ $42.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $81,551 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boston, MA, a data analyst earns a robust median annual salary of $88,292 in 2026, which represents a notable 9.82% increase over the national average of $80,394. Salary ranges for data analysts in the city reflect a diverse job market, with entry-level roles starting around $54,851, while senior positions can command as much as $137,894. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, indicate not only competitive compensation but also the potential for substantial growth as one advances through company level bands. Such progression from entry-level (L4) to more senior roles (L5 to L6) often sees total compensation jump significantly, particularly with roles in higher-tier companies contributing to elevated pay levels.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,851 | $26.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,686 | $33.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,292 | $42.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,080 | $53.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,894 | $66.30 |
Median Salary Position
9.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,043 (2026 est.). At $88,292, the local median is 9.82% above the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boston Data Analyst Pay Compares
Boston median: $88,292/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,827 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | +9.82% more |
Data Analysts in Boston, MA earn a median of $88,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.82% higher than the national median of $80,394 and 7.90% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,827.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,292 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,551 — a 7.63% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$101,350
2025 BLS Actual
$84,506
2026 Current Est.
$88,292
2021–2027 Growth
+-9.0%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Boston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $101,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,506 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,247 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -16.6% from $101,350 (2021) to $84,506 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,247 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,103 (-8.98%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.48% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,851 – $68,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,686 – $88,292 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,292 – $111,080 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,080 – $137,894 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Boston
With approximately 7,930 data analysts currently employed in the Boston area, the job market remains strong despite a higher-than-average cost of living index of 108.266. This economic factor influences take-home pay, as salaries must often compete with housing and day-to-day expenses. Top industry players like FAANG companies, along with AI-focused startups, provide lucrative opportunities, often paying above the median for talent with advanced degrees or specialized skills. The disparity between lower and higher pay can be attributed to several factors, including company tier—where FAANG and high-growth AI labs typically offer better compensation packages—salary level (with significant differences between L4, L5, and L6), and how equity and RSU vesting play into total compensation. To maximize earning potential in this market, candidates should focus on building expertise in high-demand areas like machine learning engineering and pursue signing bonuses or additional equity offers from top firms.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data analysts make in Boston, MA in 2026?
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a data analyst?
Can data analysts make $100K in Boston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted data analyst salary in Boston?
How much does a data analyst make per hour in Boston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $84,506 for data analystsin the Boston metropolitan area. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for data analysts (SOC 15-2051).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov