Data Analyst Salary in Watertown, SD: $45,912 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Watertown, SD earns a median $45,912/year (≈ $22.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $49,474 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected data analyst salary in Watertown, South Dakota, stands at $45,912, significantly lower than the national median of $80,394. This gap highlights the differences between compensation structures in tech, especially when comparing FAANG companies and AI startups, known for their substantial equity offerings that can dramatically boost overall compensation. The local salary range for data analysts varies widely, from $27,332 at the 10th percentile to $71,163 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the disparity in roles and responsibilities. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities and suggest a competitive but challenging job market for data professionals in Watertown, where opportunities may be influenced by the local industry focus and prevailing economic conditions.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,332 | $13.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,395 | $16.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,912 | $22.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,767 | $28.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,163 | $34.22 |
Median Salary Position
42.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, SD, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,831 (2026 est.). At $45,912, the local median is 42.89% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Data Analyst Pay Compares
Watertown median: $45,912/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $47,725 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -42.89% less |
Data Analysts in Watertown, SD earn a median of $45,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.89% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $47,725.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $45,912 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,474 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,882
2025 BLS Actual
$43,943
2026 Current Est.
$45,912
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Watertown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,882 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,828 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,847 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,943 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,912 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,968 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $36,882 (2021) to $43,943 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,086 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $27,332 – $33,395 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,395 – $45,912 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,912 – $58,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,767 – $71,163 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Watertown
The employment of six data analysts in Watertown indicates a small, relatively tight-knit job market. With a cost of living index at 92.8, residents enjoy a lower cost of living than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of their salaries. In Watertown, opportunities for higher pay may lie with employers associated with larger tech firms or innovative companies within AI, healthcare, and financial sectors, which can offer more competitive compensation compared to traditional local businesses. The significant salary range is often driven by company tiers and specialization levels—those working in more established firms or with specialized skills in machine learning or quantitative analysis tend to command higher salaries and benefits. For candidates seeking to maximize their data analyst pay in Watertown SD, enhancing specialized skills, considering roles in tech-driven sectors, and being open to negotiation regarding equity compensation could yield substantial financial rewards.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
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 $43,943 for data analystsin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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