Data Analyst Salary in Bristol, VA: $67,358 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Bristol, VA earns a median $67,358/year (≈ $32.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $65,269 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Data analysts in Bristol, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $67,358 in 2026, falling below the national median of $80,394 by 16.22%. With a salary range that spans from $40,108 at the 10th percentile to $104,406 at the 90th percentile, this reflects a competitive but somewhat limited earning potential compared to larger markets. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price variances, emphasize the role of company reputation and industry in shaping salary averages within the local labor market. Bristol's job market provides opportunities for data analysts, particularly those with specialized skills and experience that can command higher wages.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,108 | $19.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,001 | $23.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,358 | $32.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,219 | $41.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,406 | $50.19 |
Median Salary Position
16.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,298 (2026 est.). At $67,358, the local median is 16.22% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Data Analyst Pay Compares
Bristol median: $67,358/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $70,903 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -16.22% less |
Data Analysts in Bristol, VA earn a median of $67,358 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.22% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 5.00% below the Virginia state average of $70,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,358 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,269 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$54,110
2025 BLS Actual
$64,470
2026 Current Est.
$67,358
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $54,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,499 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,923 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,026 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,358 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,376 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $54,110 (2021) to $64,470 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,376 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,266 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $40,108 – $49,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,001 – $67,358 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,358 – $86,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,219 – $104,406 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Bristol
Despite a modest number of employed data analysts—only six in the area—Bristol's cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, indicating a slightly higher than average expense structure compared to the national baseline. This reality can affect purchasing power and necessitates strategic salary negotiations. The most lucrative positions typically come from FAANG companies and large tech firms, which tend to compensate well above local averages through competitive total compensation packages. The disparity in pay within the local job market is influenced by factors such as company hierarchy, where FAANG jobs generally offer significantly higher pay than tier-2 tech firms or non-tech roles. Data analysts considering Bristol should seek opportunities to work in high-paying sectors or pursue roles that emphasize machine learning and advanced analytics, as these specialties often yield better financial rewards.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $64,470 for data analystsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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