Data Analyst Salary in Lincoln, NE: $58,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Lincoln, NE earns a median $58,770/year (≈ $28.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $64,173 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.8% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the projected median annual salary for data analysts in 2026 is $58,770, which falls considerably short of the national median of $80,394, highlighting a significant pay gap within the industry. The salary range for these roles in the local market stretches from $41,324 at the 10th percentile to $85,510 at the 90th percentile, showing a healthy distribution but also indicating variability tied to experience and the type of employer. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, captures the salary landscape effectively as Lincoln has seen an influx of both tech startups and traditional industries looking to leverage data analysis. Competition for skilled analysts remains vigorous, and the differences in compensation often reflect company size and focus—large tech firms typically offer more lucrative packages, including stock options, than smaller enterprises.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,324 | $19.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,340 | $24.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,786 | $33.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,510 | $41.11 |
Median Salary Position
26.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,186 (2026 est.). At $58,770, the local median is 26.9% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Data Analyst Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $58,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $47,091 | +24.80% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | -26.90% less |
Data Analysts in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $58,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.90% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 24.80% above the Nebraska state average of $47,091.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $58,770 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,173 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$77,500
2025 BLS Actual
$56,250
2026 Current Est.
$58,770
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Lincoln (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,403 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -27.4% from $77,500 (2021) to $56,250 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $-16,097 (-20.77%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $41,324 – $51,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,340 – $58,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,770 – $68,786 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,786 – $85,510 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Lincoln
Currently, the job market for data analysts in Lincoln employs around 450 professionals, fueled by a cost-of-living index of 91.581, which suggests that analysts can enjoy a relatively comfortable standard of living despite lower salaries compared to national averages. Employers in the region range from traditional industries to emerging tech startups. However, leading companies, including FAANG and effectively established tech giants like Google and Microsoft, tend to pay at the higher end of the spectrum due to their reliance on advanced data solutions and the need for talent equipped with specialized skills. The disparity in pay often correlates with factors such as the level within the organization, the presence of equity compensation particularly in tech-centric roles, and educational background. To maximize earnings in this market, candidates should focus on acquiring skills in machine learning and artificial intelligence, network strategically, and remain aware of compensation trends in platforms like Levels.fyi to enhance their negotiation power during job offers.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 $56,250 for data analystsin the Lincoln 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