Data Analyst Salary in Charleston, SC: $63,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Charleston, SC earns a median $63,218/year (≈ $30.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $69,091 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the local data analyst salary in Charleston, SC, is projected to reach a median of $63,218, reflecting competitive compensation compared to the national figure of $80,394. Salary ranges for these positions vary significantly, spanning from $36,666 at the 10th percentile to $97,988 at the 90th percentile. While traditional roles may anchor the lower end of this spectrum, professionals moving into AI-focused startups or securing positions within FAANG companies often enjoy more substantial total compensation packages, driven by equity incentives such as restricted stock units (RSUs). This disparity hints at a broader trend in Charleston's job market, where tech-driven firms influence not just salary expectations but also employment opportunities and overall industry growth.
About the Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,666 | $17.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,517 | $21.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,218 | $30.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,919 | $38.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,988 | $47.11 |
Median Salary Position
21.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,322 (2026 est.). At $63,218, the local median is 21.36% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Data Analyst Pay Compares
Charleston median: $63,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,257 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $80,394 | -21.36% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $63,218 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,091 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$99,040
2025 BLS Actual
$60,507
2026 Current Est.
$63,218
2021–2027 Growth
+-33.3%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Charleston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $99,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,507 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,050 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -38.9% from $99,040 (2021) to $60,507 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,050 by 2027 — a total increase of $-32,990 (-33.31%) from 2021.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,666 – $45,517 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,517 – $63,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,218 – $80,919 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,919 – $97,988 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Charleston
Charleston's job market currently employs around 25 data analysts, demonstrating a burgeoning space for professionals in this field. Despite being slightly below the national average, the cost of living in Charleston remains manageable, with a cost-of-living index of 91.5, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. To optimize their earnings, data analysts should target employment at leading tech companies and emerging AI startups, where compensation often includes significant equity stakes that can elevate overall pay. Factors such as company tier and the level of expertise further diversify salaries among data analysts. Employees in higher-demand areas, particularly machine learning engineering, frequently receive compensation beyond just base pay. Focusing on gaining expertise in specialized areas, negotiating potential signing bonuses, and aligning with high-growth companies could help attract better compensation in Charleston's evolving landscape.
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
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 $60,507 for data analystsin the Charleston 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 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