Data Analyst Salary in Columbia, SC: $59,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Columbia, SC earns a median $59,017/year (≈ $28.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $63,011 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual data analyst salary in Columbia, South Carolina, is projected to be $59,017, significantly lower than the national median of $80,394. This difference highlights the opportunities and trade-offs in Columbia’s market, especially compared to larger tech hubs and FAANG companies, where total compensation often includes substantial RSUs that can elevate earnings into the $300,000 to $700,000 range for senior-level positions. Data analysts in the Columbia area can expect to earn within a salary range that starts at $35,005 at the 10th percentile and can peak at $92,918 at the 90th percentile. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, these figures illustrate the local compensation landscape as it continues to evolve amidst the growing demand for analytics professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,005 | $16.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,604 | $20.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,017 | $28.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,663 | $35.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,918 | $44.68 |
Median Salary Position
26.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,913 (2026 est.). At $59,017, the local median is 26.59% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Data Analyst Pay Compares
Columbia median: $59,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,284 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -26.59% less |
Data Analysts in Columbia, SC earn a median of $59,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.59% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 3.70% below the South Carolina state average of $61,284.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $59,017 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,011 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$77,500
2025 BLS Actual
$56,486
2026 Current Est.
$59,017
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Columbia (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 | $80,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,661 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -27.1% from $77,500 (2021) to $56,486 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $-15,839 (-20.44%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $35,005 – $43,604 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,604 – $59,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,017 – $74,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,663 – $92,918 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Columbia
With approximately 590 data analysts currently employed in Columbia, the local job market reflects a steady demand for data expertise, though salaries remain tempered by the area's cost of living index at 93.662, which is below the national average. This situation affects purchasing power, meaning that while salary numbers may seem low compared to larger markets, they can offer a reasonable lifestyle in Columbia. Among employers, major tech firms and AI-focused startups tend to pay better than traditional industries, reinforcing the trend where tiers of companies drive compensation disparities. Candidates looking to maximize their earnings should focus on firms that grant equity-heavy packages and seek roles in ML engineering or data science research, where the financial upside can be more substantial. Additionally, negotiating signing bonuses and considering positions with growth potential can further improve overall compensation in this competitive market.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
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 $56,486 for data analystsin the Columbia 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