Data Analyst Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $30.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a data analyst working in Charleston, SC runs $30.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,218 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,931 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Charleston, SC, the median hourly pay for a data analyst is projected to be $30.39 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $38.65 per hour. This disparity reflects regional cost factors and the local job market, which offers opportunities primarily in tech company offices, AI startups, and research labs. For part-time workers, such as those looking to work three days a week, this hourly rate translates into approximately $24,000 annually based on a typical 24-hour work week. Entry-level positions may start at around $17.63 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command rates up to $47.11. Such a range allows for flexibility for employees who choose remote or hybrid roles, which are increasingly common in today’s job market, especially in data-heavy sectors.
About the Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Data Analyst Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.63 | $141.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.88 | $175.02 |
| Median (P50) | $30.39 | $243.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.91 | $311.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.11 | $376.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $30.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.39/hr, a data analyst working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $63,218 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,472. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,215.73 | $5,268 | $63,218 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $729.44 | $3,161 | $37,931 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.29 | $2,107 | $25,287 |
Compare DA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Data Analyst (Charleston) | $30.39 |
| Data Analyst (National Avg) | $40.39 |
| Software Developer (National Avg) | $64.54 |
| Machine Learning Engineer (National Avg) | $66.77 |
| Statistician (National Avg) | $50.61 |
Data Analysts in Charleston, SC earn a median of $63,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.36% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 3.20% above the South Carolina state average of $61,257.
Data Analyst Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.39/hr = $37,931/year (purchasing power: $41,454).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,218/year (purchasing power: $69,091).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$47.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.39/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-33.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Data Analysts in Charleston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for data analysts in Charleston grew -38.9% from $47.62/hr (2021) to $29.09/hr (2025). At a 4.48% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem data analysts can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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.
Working as an Hourly Data Analyst in Charleston
Transitioning to part-time or contract work can significantly alter earning potential. For example, a data analyst working three days a week could earn approximately $24,000 annually versus nearly $63,218 for full-time employment. Contract roles, or per-diem positions, in Charleston's market can yield much higher pay, with common billing rates between $100-$200 per hour for general data science tasks. More specialized consultants in fields like ML engineering may command fees from $200 to $400 per hour, and niche experts in generative AI can charge upwards of $300 to $600. Hourly compensation varies widely depending on the employer, with FAANG companies and larger tech firms typically offering higher rates influenced by extensive benefits packages compared to startups or consulting firms. When negotiating hourly pay, analysts should assess the total compensation structure carefully, weighing the value of benefits against potentially higher direct pay without benefits.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for data analysts in Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Charleston 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