Data Analyst Salary in North Carolina: $80,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median data analyst pay sits at $80,803/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2051. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $86,328 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Concord ($86,161), Charlotte ($84,774), Gastonia ($82,967).
In North Carolina, the projected average median salary for data analysts in 2026 is $80,804, which is slightly above the national median of $80,394, showing a marginal difference of +0.5%. The highest paying city is Concord, with an average salary of $90,021, while Wilmington has the lowest at $62,247, creating a substantial salary gap of $27,774. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of technology and finance sectors in cities like Concord and Charlotte, compared to the more tourism-focused economy of Wilmington. Currently, there are 9,491 data analysts employed in the state, with demand driven by a growing tech industry and increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making across various sectors. North Carolina's annual CAGR for data analyst roles is projected at 4.48%, indicating steady job growth in the field. While there are no specific state licensing requirements for data analysts, skills in advanced analytics or tools like SQL and Python are essential. To summarize, the job market for data analysts in North Carolina presents a positive outlook, characterized by competitive salaries that reflect regional economic strengths and a growing demand for skilled professionals in data analysis.
North Carolina Data Analyst Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $34,690 (lowest entry-level) to $139,533 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina data analysts earn 0.51% more than the national median (+$409/year difference).
North Carolina Data Analyst Salary Distribution (2026)
Data Analyst salaries in North Carolina range from $45,189 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $115,462 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $80,803. The North Carolina median is $409 above the US national median of $80,394. The average hourly rate is $38.85/hr. Approximately 9,491 data analysts are employed across 44 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$119,385
2025 BLS Actual
$77,339
2026 Current Est.
$80,803
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in North Carolina (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $119,385 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,871 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,943 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,339 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,423 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -35.2% from $119,385 (2021) to $77,339 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,423 by 2027 — a total increase of $-34,962 (-29.29%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wilmington | $62,247 |
| Hickory | $63,718 |
| Leland | $63,795 |
| Burlington | $64,393 |
| Carrboro | $64,750 |
Best Value Cities for Data Analysts in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for data analysts.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | $90,021 | 93.6 | $96,176 |
| Gastonia | $86,684 | 93.6 | $92,611 |
| Charlotte | $88,572 | 97.348 | $90,985 |
| Cary | $80,330 | 93.6 | $85,823 |
| Rocky Mount | $74,805 | 88.012 | $84,994 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,189 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $80,803 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $115,462 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord | $90,021 |
| 2 | Charlotte | $88,572 |
| 3 | Gastonia | $86,684 |
| 4 | Raleigh | $80,715 |
| 5 | Cary | $80,330 |
| 6 | Rocky Mount | $74,805 |
| 7 | Chapel Hill | $71,809 |
| 8 | Durham | $71,214 |
| 9 | Winston-Salem | $71,200 |
| 10 | Fayetteville | $71,060 |
| 11 | Greensboro | $70,919 |
| 12 | High Point | $69,827 |
| 13 | Huntersville | $69,435 |
| 14 | Kannapolis | $69,327 |
| 15 | Apex | $69,164 |
| 16 | Jacksonville | $69,038 |
| 17 | Pinehurst | $68,700 |
| 18 | Statesville | $68,129 |
| 19 | Kernersville | $68,070 |
| 20 | Winston | $67,917 |
| 21 | Matthews | $67,910 |
| 22 | Greenville | $67,884 |
| 23 | Cornelius | $67,793 |
| 24 | Sanford | $67,734 |
| 25 | Wake Forest | $67,732 |
| 26 | Morrisville | $67,702 |
| 27 | Fuquay-Varina | $67,521 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $67,511 |
| 29 | Thomasville | $67,398 |
| 30 | New Bern | $67,372 |
| 31 | Mint Hill | $67,356 |
| 32 | Holly Springs | $66,289 |
| 33 | Mooresville | $66,082 |
| 34 | Monroe | $66,055 |
| 35 | Garner | $65,906 |
| 36 | Wilson | $65,858 |
| 37 | Boone | $65,573 |
| 38 | Asheville | $65,323 |
| 39 | Indian Trail | $65,004 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $64,750 |
| 41 | Burlington | $64,393 |
| 42 | Leland | $63,795 |
| 43 | Hickory | $63,718 |
| 44 | Wilmington | $62,247 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced data analysts.
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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
Statewide 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. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 data analyst compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more data analystscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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