Data Analyst Salary in Raleigh, NC: $80,715 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Raleigh, NC earns a median $80,715/year (≈ $38.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $82,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Data analysts in Raleigh, NC, can expect a competitive compensation package, with a median annual salary projected at $80,715 for 2026. This figure reflects a slight increase over the national median, which is estimated at $80,394, highlighting Raleigh's favorable market. The salary range for data analysts in this city varies significantly, spanning from $48,272 at the 10th percentile to $120,929 at the 90th percentile. These earnings are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicate that opportunities in the market can vary widely based on experience and the type of employer. As the local tech ecosystem grows, Raleigh continues to be a compelling place for those looking to advance their careers in data analytics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,272 | $23.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,984 | $27.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,715 | $38.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,292 | $46.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,929 | $58.14 |
Median Salary Position
0.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,657 (2026 est.). At $80,715, the local median is 0.4% above the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Data Analyst Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $80,715/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $68,694 | +17.50% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | +0.40% more |
Data Analysts in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $80,715 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.40% higher than the national median of $80,394 and 17.50% above the North Carolina state average of $68,694.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $80,715 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$122,710
2025 BLS Actual
$77,254
2026 Current Est.
$80,715
2021–2027 Growth
+-31.3%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Raleigh (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $122,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,254 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,715 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,331 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -37.0% from $122,710 (2021) to $77,254 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,331 by 2027 — a total increase of $-38,379 (-31.28%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $48,272 – $56,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,984 – $80,715 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,715 – $97,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,292 – $120,929 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Raleigh
In terms of the local job market, there are currently around 1,990 data analysts employed in the Raleigh area, indicating strong demand for these professionals. The cost-of-living index of 98.157 suggests that living expenses are slightly below national averages, which can enhance take-home pay in relation to local purchasing power. Companies in the region that typically offer the highest salaries include major players in the FAANG ecosystem, with tech giants and startup firms placing a premium on data skills. Compensation can vary significantly within the sector based on factors such as company prestige, specific roles, and experience levels, with ML engineering positions often commanding higher salaries than traditional data analyst roles. Moreover, candidates should consider negotiating for equity and bonus structures, especially when transitioning to larger tech firms. To maximize earning potential within the local market, focusing on skills in machine learning and gaining experience with top-tier employers can be particularly advantageous.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 $77,254 for data analystsin the Raleigh 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