Data Analyst Salary in Waco, TX: $64,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Waco, TX earns a median $64,012/year (≈ $30.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $69,165 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Waco, TX, the projected median annual salary for data analysts in 2026 is set at $64,012, representing a significant contrast to the national median of $80,394. The local salary range sees earnings between $37,693 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $103,036 at the 90th percentile. These insights are drawn from official BLS OEWS data, revealing how compensation varies within the city. Given the robust demand for analytical talent and a moderate cost of living, Waco's job market allows for competitive salaries relative to local living expenses, helping to attract skilled professionals despite the gap with national averages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,693 | $18.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,385 | $23.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,012 | $30.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,534 | $39.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,036 | $49.53 |
Median Salary Position
20.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,343 (2026 est.). At $64,012, the local median is 20.38% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Data Analyst Pay Compares
Waco median: $64,012/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $67,381 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -20.38% less |
Data Analysts in Waco, TX earn a median of $64,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.38% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 5.00% below the Texas state average of $67,381.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $64,012 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,165 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$51,422
2025 BLS Actual
$61,267
2026 Current Est.
$64,012
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Waco (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $51,422 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,267 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,879 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $51,422 (2021) to $61,267 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,457 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $37,693 – $48,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,385 – $64,012 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,012 – $82,534 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,534 – $103,036 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Waco
With approximately 100 analysts employed in the area, Waco's local job market is notably stable. The cost of living index stands at 92.55, meaning earnings can stretch further within the city compared to areas with higher cost indices. Employers within Waco that offer the most competitive compensation often fall into tiers associated with technology giants or emerging AI-focused startups. The disparity in pay reflects differences in company prestige, level of experience, and specialization, with roles in machine learning engineering typically commanding higher salaries than product data science positions. To maximize potential earnings in Waco, data analysts should consider positioning themselves in high-demand sectors like AI or targeting senior-level positions at prestigious firms, which frequently include appealing equity packages alongside the base salary. Understanding these nuances can give candidates a clearer pathway to achieving desirable compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
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 $61,267 for data analystsin the Waco 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, 4-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