Data Analyst Pay

Joplin vs Kansas City: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Joplin, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Joplin, MO
$64,627
$31.07/hr
Kansas City, MO
$66,780
$32.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJoplin, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$64,627$66,780
Hourly Rate$31.07$32.11
Entry Level (P10)$35,253$41,338
25th Percentile$44,146$50,792
75th Percentile$84,292$85,952
Top Earner (P90)$98,529$99,672
Total Employed601,260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Joplin ($64,627) and Kansas City ($66,780) data analyst salaries.JoplinKansas CityMedian Salary$64,627$66,780Entry Level (P10)$35,253$41,338Top Earner (P90)$98,529$99,672US Median $80,394

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Joplin.

The salary gap between Joplin and Kansas City is $2,153 (3.33%). Kansas City's median is -16.93% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Joplin spans $63,276,Kansas City spans $58,334. Joplin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Joplin
P10 (Entry)$35,253
P25$44,146
Median$64,627
P75$84,292
P90 (Top)$98,529
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$41,338
P25$50,792
Median$66,780
P75$85,952
P90 (Top)$99,672

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Joplin ($75,395 effective) pays 4.48% more than Kansas City ($72,161 effective).

Joplin
Nominal: $64,627
CoL Index: 85.718
Adjusted: $75,395
Kansas City
Nominal: $66,780
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $72,161

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Joplin if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,395)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,780/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,672)
  • Larger job market (1,260 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Joplin grew -17.0% from 2023 to 2025, compared to -18.5% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Joplin, MO

+-17.0%

$74,490 (2023) → $61,856 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+-18.5%

$78,410 (2021) → $63,917 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Joplin or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median data analyst salary at $66,780/year, compared to Joplin at $64,627/year — a difference of $2,153 (3.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Joplin and Kansas City?

Joplin data analysts earn $31.07/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $32.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Joplin to Kansas City as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Joplin and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Joplin = $75,395, Kansas City = $72,161), job availability (60 vs 1,260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Joplin vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $35,253 in Joplin and $41,338 in Kansas City. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.48% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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