Data Analyst Salary in Richmond, VA: $81,919 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Richmond, VA earns a median $81,919/year (≈ $39.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $83,712 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.5% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Richmond, Virginia offers a competitive data analyst salary, with a projected median annual compensation of $81,919 for 2026. When considering the full salary range for data analysts in Richmond, the figures span from $45,810 at the 10th percentile to $139,198 at the 90th percentile. This data comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and reveals that Richmond's salary is approximately 1.90% higher than the national median of $80,394. The local job market is characterized by a growth rate of 4.48% annually, indicating a robust demand that could influence future salary trends positively.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,869 | $29.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,919 | $39.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,668 | $54.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,198 | $66.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,388 (2026 est.). At $81,919, the local median is 1.9% above the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Data Analyst Pay Compares
Richmond median: $81,919/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $70,925 | +15.50% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | +1.90% more |
Data Analysts in Richmond, VA earn a median of $81,919 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.90% higher than the national median of $80,394 and 15.50% above the Virginia state average of $70,925.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $81,919 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,712 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$102,090
2025 BLS Actual
$78,406
2026 Current Est.
$81,919
2021–2027 Growth
+-16.2%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Richmond (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $102,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,919 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,589 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -23.2% from $102,090 (2021) to $78,406 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $-16,501 (-16.16%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $45,810 – $60,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,869 – $81,919 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,919 – $113,668 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,668 – $139,198 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Richmond
With around 1,050 data analysts employed in the area, Richmond presents a diverse job market. The cost of living index is at 97.858, which offers a favorable environment for take-home purchasing power compared to several larger cities. Large tech companies and FAANG firms often provide the highest salaries, especially for roles that emphasize machine learning engineering over analytics or product-oriented data science. Furthermore, positions at AI-focused startups may grant equity-heavy compensation, which can significantly vary based on company stage and funding. To maximize pay, candidates can aim for higher-tier firms or negotiate roles at levels ascending from L4 to L6, taking into consideration equity and signing bonus potential. Understanding these dynamics can help professionals in Richmond navigate their career paths effectively.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $78,406 for data analystsin the Richmond 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