Entry-Level Data Analyst Salary Calculator

Find real salary data for data analysts across the US

Current salary ranges for data analysts

Starting compensation in 2025

Entry-level data analysts in the US pull in anywhere from $65,000 to $85,000 a year, though where you live and what you specialize in makes a huge difference. Remote gigs? They often pay more—sometimes hitting $100,000 or above. Salaries have jumped up pretty dramatically lately, climbing about $20,000 compared to a few years back. If you know SQL and Python, expect to see offers $9,000 to $15,000 higher than someone without those skills. Certifications like Google's or AWS can bump your first-year pay by another $7,000 to $20,000.

Geographic pay differences matter

Where you work matters a lot when it comes to your paycheck. San Francisco tops the list at $113,000 to $118,000 for beginners, with NYC close behind at $102,000 to $112,000. Tech hubs usually pay around 30% more than the national average. Mid-size markets like Denver, Tampa, and Atlanta sit somewhere between $55,000 and $70,000. But here's the thing—remote work is flipping this whole equation. You can now earn San Francisco money while living somewhere way cheaper, which means your actual buying power goes up 35% or more without having to move.

Skills that increase your earning potential

The more technical skills you have, the more you'll make. It's pretty straightforward. Solid SQL knowledge? That's worth 15-20% more. Python or R expertise bumps you up another 15-25%. Know your way around AWS, Azure, or GCP? Add 12-18% to your salary. Data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI? Another 10-15%. Here's a concrete example: someone who only knows Excel might make around $62,000, but throw in SQL and Python and suddenly they're earning $77,000—that's a $15,000 jump. Stack a few certifications together and you could see your entry-level pay go up 20-30%.

Breaking into data analytics

You don't need a computer science degree to become a data analyst. Plenty of people come from bootcamps, which run about $5,000-$15,000 and get you job-ready in 3-6 months instead of four years. Bootcamp grads earn just as much as people with degrees and actually tend to move up faster—they see 23% salary bumps at their second job compared to 8-12% for traditional college grads.

Build a solid portfolio with actual projects. Start with SQL, then move to Python or R. Get good with Excel and pick up at least one visualization tool. The Google Data Analytics Certificate costs $150-$300 and pays for itself fast—most people see $7,000-$12,000 salary increases after getting it. Work with public datasets and put your projects on GitHub so people can see what you can do.

Network hard and go after remote positions. Around 60-70% of bootcamp grads find jobs within three months. Platforms like TripleTen give you a structured path and help with job placement, which seriously improves your chances. Bottom line: your portfolio matters way more than where you went to school. Companies want to see that you can actually solve problems with data.

Know your worth

Negotiation leverage
When you know what the market actually pays, you can push for 10-20% more during negotiations—that's $6,000-$16,000 extra in your pocket every year.
Career planning
Seeing how salaries go from entry-level ($65,000) to mid-career ($90,000) helps you figure out which certifications and skills to prioritize.
Location decisions
Check different markets before you say yes to an offer. A remote job paying $85,000 in a cheap city beats $95,000 in an expensive one.

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TripleTens' calculator is different because it pulls verified federal data and lets you filter it however you need. Unlike crowdsourced platforms where anyone can throw in random numbers, ours comes from official government stats that update in real-time. Whether you're just exploring your options or negotiating your first offer, you'll have solid benchmarks straight from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Get instant access to verified salary data for entry-level data analysts across every U.S. state and major industry. Compare compensation, plan your career moves, and negotiate with confidence using official government statistics.

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FAQ

What is the entry-level data analyst salary in the US?

Entry-level data analysts make between $65,000 and $85,000 a year on average nationwide. The exact number depends a lot on where you are—tech hubs like San Francisco ($113,000-$118,000) and New York ($102,000-$112,000) pay way more. Remote positions often come with 15-35% premiums over office jobs, and plenty of them hit $100,000 or higher even for people just starting out.

How much do data analysts make in different states?

California leads the pack at around $113,000 for entry-level work, especially in the Bay Area. Texas offers $91,000-$100,000 in Austin, while New York sits at $102,000-$112,000. Mid-tier markets like Colorado, Florida, and Georgia land somewhere between $55,000 and $70,000. These differences mirror cost of living, how concentrated the tech industry is, and how much demand there is for analytics people in each area.

What industries pay data analysts the most?

Tech and software companies lead the pack at $70,000-$85,000 for entry-level, with finance and banking right behind at $72,000-$88,000. E-commerce and retail offer $65,000-$80,000, while healthcare ranges $60,000-$75,000. Non-profit and government jobs typically pay $50,000-$65,000. FAANG companies blow these numbers out of the water—Google pays $155,000-$194,000 in total comp for entry-level L3 analysts, while Meta offers $160,000-$210,000.

Can I become a data analyst with no degree?

Absolutely. Lots of analysts break into the field without a traditional degree. Bootcamps like TripleTen give you focused training in 6 months for $5,000-$15,000, compared to $60,000-$120,000 for a four-year program. Bootcamp grads make the same money as degree holders and often climb the ladder faster. Focus on building a good portfolio, get certifications like Google Data Analytics, and show you can handle real projects.

Do certifications increase data analyst salaries?

Certifications pay off big time. The Google Data Analytics Certificate ($150-$300) usually gets you $7,000-$12,000 more—that's a 20-33x return on what you spent. AWS Certified Data Analytics ($300-$600) adds $12,000-$20,000. Microsoft Power BI certification ($100-$300) brings in $8,000-$15,000. Stack a few certifications and you could see your total pay go up 20-30%. These credentials tell employers you know your stuff and justify paying you more, especially if you're switching careers or don't have traditional experience.

What skills pay the most for entry-level analysts?

SQL skills are worth 15-20% more ($9,000-$12,000), while Python or R adds 15-25% ($9,000-$15,000). Cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP get you 12-18% premiums ($7,000-$14,000). Data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI bump you up 10-15% ($6,000-$9,000). Machine learning basics are increasingly worth 15-25% as AI becomes standard.

How fast do data analyst salaries grow?

Data analysts see quick salary growth early on. Year 1 runs $60,000-$70,000, years 2-4 climb to $65,000-$75,000 (a $10,000-$15,000 bump), and years 5-9 hit $73,000-$90,000 (total growth of $23,000-$30,000). Moving from entry-level to mid-career is one of the biggest salary jumps in analytics.