Data Analyst Salary in Laurel, MS: $40,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Laurel, MS earns a median $40,781/year (≈ $19.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $47,586 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, individuals in Laurel, Mississippi can expect a median annual salary of $40,781 for data analysts, which is significantly lower than the national median of $80,394. The salary range for this role highlights potential earnings that vary significantly, from $25,038 at the 10th percentile to approximately $63,180 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market with room for growth. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, suggest that Laurel offers a stable entry point for data analysts, particularly in an environment where costs are relatively lower, as evidenced by the local cost-of-living index of 85.7. For those seeking to enhance their earning potential, understanding progression through levels—such as L4 to L5 and beyond—can lead to significant compensation jumps over time.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,038 | $12.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,216 | $14.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,781 | $19.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,199 | $25.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,180 | $30.37 |
Median Salary Position
49.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,142 (2026 est.). At $40,781, the local median is 49.27% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Data Analyst Pay Compares
Laurel median: $40,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $44,087 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -49.27% less |
Data Analysts in Laurel, MS earn a median of $40,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.27% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $44,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $40,781 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,586 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,760
2025 BLS Actual
$39,032
2026 Current Est.
$40,781
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Laurel (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,445 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,032 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,608 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $32,760 (2021) to $39,032 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,608 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,848 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $25,038 – $30,216 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,216 – $40,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,781 – $52,199 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,199 – $63,180 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Laurel
With only six data analysts currently employed in Laurel, the job market reflects a niche industry presence. The lower cost of living in the region may allow analysts to stretch their salaries further than in more urban areas. Employers offering competitive pay are typically those in tech and burgeoning sectors, especially FAANG companies and AI-focused startups. These organizations tend to allocate a substantial part of total compensation to equity and RSUs, often representing 50–70% of a total comp package for data-savvy roles. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can often be attributed to company tier and the specific skill set required, where specialties like machine learning engineering command higher salaries. For aspiring data analysts in Laurel, skill enhancement in areas such as machine learning or transitioning into product data science roles can be effective strategies for maximizing earning potential in this local market.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $39,032 for data analystsin the Laurel 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
Salary data for Laurel is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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