📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Business Analyst Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Very High Demand
Average
$88,850
per year
Median
$84,520
per year
Hourly
$42.72
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$55,740
25th Percentile — Junior$73,900
50th Percentile — Median$84,520
75th Percentile — Senior$114,760
90th Percentile — Top Earners$130,640
💡 The top 10% of Business Analysts earn $130,640 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $55,740, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$69.0k
2021
$72.5k
2022
$76.3k
2023
$80.3k
2024
$84.5k
2025
$88.8k
2026
📈 Business Analyst salaries have grown 5.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $19,893.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $137,718 | +55.0% | Very High |
| District of Columbia | $135,052 | +52.0% | Very High |
| California | $126,167 | +42.0% | Very High |
| New York | $122,613 | +38.0% | Very High |
| Alaska | $117,282 | +32.0% | Very High |
| Massachusetts | $115,505 | +30.0% | Very High |
| New Jersey | $113,728 | +28.0% | Very High |
| Washington | $111,062 | +25.0% | Very High |
| Connecticut | $108,397 | +22.0% | Very High |
| Maryland | $102,177 | +15.0% | Very High |
| Rhode Island | $102,177 | +15.0% | Very High |
| New Hampshire | $101,289 | +14.0% | Very High |
| Oregon | $99,512 | +12.0% | Very High |
| Colorado | $97,735 | +10.0% | Very High |
| Virginia | $97,735 | +10.0% | Very High |
| Vermont | $95,958 | +8.0% | Very High |
| Delaware | $93,292 | +5.0% | Very High |
| Illinois | $93,292 | +5.0% | Very High |
| Maine | $90,627 | +2.0% | Very High |
| Nevada | $90,627 | +2.0% | Very High |
| Minnesota | $88,850 | +0.0% | Very High |
| Utah | $88,850 | +0.0% | Very High |
| Arizona | $87,962 | -1.0% | Very High |
| Pennsylvania | $87,962 | -1.0% | Very High |
| Florida | $87,073 | -2.0% | Very High |
| Montana | $84,408 | -5.0% | Very High |
| Texas | $84,408 | -5.0% | Very High |
| Georgia | $82,630 | -7.0% | Very High |
| Idaho | $82,630 | -7.0% | Very High |
| Wyoming | $82,630 | -7.0% | Very High |
| North Dakota | $81,742 | -8.0% | Very High |
| Wisconsin | $81,742 | -8.0% | Very High |
| North Carolina | $80,854 | -9.0% | Very High |
| Michigan | $79,965 | -10.0% | Very High |
| Louisiana | $78,188 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Nebraska | $78,188 | -12.0% | Very High |
| New Mexico | $78,188 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Ohio | $78,188 | -12.0% | Very High |
| South Carolina | $78,188 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Tennessee | $78,188 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Alabama | $77,300 | -13.0% | Very High |
| Missouri | $77,300 | -13.0% | Very High |
| South Dakota | $77,300 | -13.0% | Very High |
| Iowa | $76,411 | -14.0% | Very High |
| Indiana | $75,522 | -15.0% | Very High |
| Kansas | $75,522 | -15.0% | Very High |
| Oklahoma | $74,634 | -16.0% | Very High |
| Arkansas | $73,746 | -17.0% | Very High |
| Kentucky | $73,746 | -17.0% | Very High |
| Mississippi | $71,080 | -20.0% | Very High |
| West Virginia | $69,303 | -22.0% | Very High |
What Factors Affect Business Analyst Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Business Analyst's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Business Analysts typically earn $55,740–$73,900 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $114,760–$130,640 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Business Analyst role currently has very high demand in the job market with a 5.2% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Business sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Business Analyst?The average salary for a Business Analyst in the United States is $88,850 per year, with a median of $84,520.
-
What is the starting salary for a Business Analyst?Entry-level Business Analysts typically earn between $55,740 and $73,900 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Business Analysts the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Business Analysts the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Business Analyst make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $88,850, a Business Analyst earns approximately $42.72 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Business Analyst a good career in 2026?Yes — the Business Analyst role has very high demand with 5.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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