Data Analyst Salary in Columbus, OH: $72,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Columbus, OH earns a median $72,183/year (≈ $34.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $75,609 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.1% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Reflecting the growing demand for data professionals, the median annual salary for a data analyst in Columbus, OH, is projected to reach $72,183 in 2026. This figure is about 10.21% lower than the national median of $80,394, with salaries ranging broadly from $42,481 at the 10th percentile to $113,259 at the 90th percentile. Such numbers, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, highlight the competitive yet varied compensation landscape in Columbus. As the city's market continues to evolve, the salary disparities point to a greater emphasis on niche skills and industry specialization in attracting top talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,481 | $20.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,560 | $26.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,183 | $34.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,921 | $46.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,259 | $54.45 |
Median Salary Position
10.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, OH, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,778 (2026 est.). At $72,183, the local median is 10.21% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Data Analyst Pay Compares
Columbus median: $72,183/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,971 | +11.10% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | -10.21% less |
Data Analysts in Columbus, OH earn a median of $72,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.21% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 11.10% above the Ohio state average of $64,971.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 4.53% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.469 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $72,183 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,609 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.75% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$94,980
2025 BLS Actual
$69,088
2026 Current Est.
$72,183
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Columbus (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $94,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,417 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -27.3% from $94,980 (2021) to $69,088 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $-19,563 (-20.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $42,481 – $55,560 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,560 – $72,183 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,183 – $95,921 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,921 – $113,259 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Columbus
In 2026, Columbus is expected to have around 1,480 data analysts, contributing to a robust local employment scene. Given the cost of living index of 95.469, which indicates a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, take-home pay provides reasonable purchasing power for local residents. Major tech employers such as Google and Amazon are likely to offer higher salaries, particularly for roles in machine learning engineering compared to traditional analytics positions. The variance in compensation reflects factors like company prestige and position level, with incentives such as equity and signing bonuses frequently elevating overall compensation packages. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Columbus, focusing on critical skill areas, seeking opportunities at top-tier firms, and considering roles that blend data science with machine learning could prove advantageous.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
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 $69,088 for data analystsin the Columbus 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