Data Analyst Salary in Aiken, SC: $60,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Aiken, SC earns a median $60,747/year (≈ $29.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Aiken's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $66,390 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, the total compensation landscape for data analysts shows a median annual salary of $60,747. This figure reflects a considerable gap when compared to the national median of $80,394, representing a 24.44% decrease. The salary spectrum locally ranges from $35,233 at the 10th percentile to $94,157 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potentials based on experience and employer. The estimates provided are derived from BLS state-level data and account for regional price adjustments, demonstrating that while Aiken provides opportunities in data analytics, it lags behind national trends in terms of compensation. This indicates a unique opportunity for candidates to negotiate more competitive packages, particularly in contrast to higher-paying markets.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,233 | $16.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,737 | $21.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,747 | $29.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,756 | $37.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,157 | $45.27 |
Median Salary Position
24.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aiken
In Aiken, SC, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,924 (2026 est.). At $60,747, the local median is 24.44% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aiken: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aiken Data Analyst Pay Compares
Aiken median: $60,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aiken Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,237 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -24.44% less |
Data Analysts in Aiken, SC earn a median of $60,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.44% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $61,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aiken has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aiken, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $60,747 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,390 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$48,799
2025 BLS Actual
$58,142
2026 Current Est.
$60,747
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Aiken (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,799 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,052 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,845 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,142 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,468 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aiken metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $48,799 (2021) to $58,142 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,468 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,669 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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) | $35,233 – $43,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,737 – $60,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,747 – $77,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,756 – $94,157 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Aiken
With only four data analysts currently employed in Aiken, the job market remains relatively small. This limited pool combined with a cost-of-living index of 91.5 suggests that the purchasing power for salaries in this region might stretch further than in many larger cities. In terms of employers, firms in FAANG or large tech generally offer the highest salaries, often enhanced by stock options and bonuses that form a significant portion of total compensation. The wide pay range in Aiken can be attributed to factors such as company tier with top-tier organizations offering substantial equity and RSUs, as well as specialization within data roles; for instance, positions focused on ML engineering command higher pay than those in more traditional data analysis. For aspiring data analysts, aiming for roles in stronger tech companies and maximizing qualifications through advanced degrees or specialization in high-demand skills are practical strategies for enhancing their salaries in this specific market.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data analysts make in Aiken, SC in 2026?
Is Aiken, SC a good place to work as a data analyst?
Can data analysts make $100K in Aiken?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted data analyst salary in Aiken?
How much does a data analyst make per hour in Aiken?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $58,142 for data analystsin the Aiken 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 Aiken 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