Data Analyst in Bryan, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Bryan Stands

As a local who's watched Bryan's job market evolve from a quiet agricultural hub to a growing tech-adjacent city, I can tell you the salary outlook for Data Analysts is solid, if not explosive. You're looking at a median salary of $81,034/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.96/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $83,360/year, but the cost of living savings more than make up for it.

The real story here is growth. Bryan isn't a major tech hub like Austin or Dallas, but it's carving out a niche. The metro area has 179 data analyst jobs, and the 10-year job growth is projected at a robust 36%. This is fueled by the expansion of Texas A&M's research ecosystem, the Texas A&M Health Science Center, and growing local businesses that need data insights to compete beyond the Brazos Valley.

Here’s how salaries break down by experience level in Bryan:

Experience Level	Typical Bryan Salary Range	Key Local Employers
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$60,000 - $72,000	Regional banks, healthcare clinics, small manufacturers
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$75,000 - $90,000	Texas A&M departments, Bryan ISD, larger healthcare systems
Senior (5-8 yrs)	$90,000 - $110,000	Agri-tech firms, energy logistics, city/county government
Expert (8+ yrs)	$110,000+	Leadership roles at major employers, specialized consulting

How Bryan Stacks Up Against Other Texas Cities:

• Austin: Median ~$95,000. Higher salaries, but rent can be 2-3x Bryan's cost. The tech ecosystem is vastly larger.
• Dallas-Fort Worth: Median ~$88,000. More corporate HQ jobs, but traffic and commute times are a major con. Cost of living is higher.
• Houston: Median ~$87,000. Energy sector dominates. Similar rent to Bryan but with higher hurricane risk and traffic.
• San Antonio: Median ~$82,000. Very comparable to Bryan, with a slightly larger government and healthcare sector.
• College Station (next door): Median ~$80,000. Essentially the same job market. Many analysts live in Bryan for slightly better housing options and commute to A&M or the research park.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base number. The 36% job growth means you have leverage. Companies here are often competing for talent that would otherwise leave for Austin. This can mean better benefits, flexibility, or signing bonuses, especially if you have niche skills in healthcare analytics or supply chain logistics.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get brutally practical. The median salary of $81,034/year translates to a monthly gross income of about $6,753. After federal taxes (approx. 22% for this bracket), FICA, and Texas's no-state-income-tax benefit, your take-home pay is roughly $5,150/month.

Now, let's factor in the average 1-bedroom rent in Bryan of $1,015/month. That leaves you with $4,135/month for everything else. Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a Data Analyst living in Bryan:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$1,015	Average across city. Newer complexes near Traditions can be $1,200+.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	$200	Summer AC bills can spike.
Groceries	$400	Bryan has H-E-B (a cultural landmark) and Walmart for budget options.
Car Payment/Insurance	$500	Texas is car-dependent. Insurance rates are moderate.
Health Insurance	$300	Varies widely; many employers offer plans.
Dining/Entertainment	$300	Bryan has a growing food scene; College Station offers college-town energy.
Savings/Retirement (10%)	$675	Highly recommended.
Miscellaneous	$200	Gas, clothing, subscriptions.
Remaining Buffer	$1,540	This is your discretionary fund for travel, hobbies, or extra savings.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, unequivocally. The median home price in Bryan is approximately $285,000 (as of early 2024). With a $81,034 salary, you are well within the recommended 3x income ratio for affordability. A 20% down payment is $57,000, but many local lenders offer FHA or conventional loans with lower down payments for first-time buyers. The monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) on a $285,000 home would be roughly $1,800 - $2,000, which is manageable on your take-home pay, especially if you have a dual-income household.

Insider Tip: Look at the Southside and Bryan East neighborhoods. You can find well-maintained homes from the $250s. The market is competitive, but not as cutthroat as Austin. Get pre-approved with a local lender like Brazos Valley Bank or First National Bank of Central Texas; they understand the local market nuances better than national chains.

Where the Jobs Are: Bryan's Major Employers

The Bryan-College Station job market is a unique ecosystem dominated by Texas A&M University and its affiliates. A Data Analyst here isn't just a number cruncher; you're often supporting research, education, or healthcare. Here are the key players:

1. Texas A&M University: The 800-pound gorilla. Hundreds of data analyst roles exist across departments—from the College of Engineering and the Mays Business School to the Institute of Data Science. They need analysts for grant reporting, student success metrics, and operational efficiency. Hiring is steady, with peaks around budget cycles (May-June, December). Insider Tip: Check the "Staff" and "Professional" job boards on the Texas A&M HR site. Look for titles like "Data Analyst," "Research Analyst," or "Institutional Researcher."

2. CHI St. Joseph Health & Baylor Scott & White Health: Bryan's two major healthcare systems are massive employers of data analysts. Roles focus on patient outcomes, billing efficiency, public health tracking, and supply chain logistics. With the A&M Health Science Center expanding, this sector is growing. Insider Tip: Baylor Scott & White often has more corporate-style roles, while CHI St. Joseph may have more community-focused positions. Both value experience with healthcare data standards like HIPAA.

3. Bryan Independent School District (Bryan ISD): A major public employer. Analysts here work on student performance data, budget allocation, and transportation logistics. The work is mission-driven and stable. Hiring is cyclical, tied to the school calendar.

4. Agri-Tech & Logistics Firms: Bryan is in the heart of agricultural and industrial logistics. Companies like American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) and various agri-cooperatives have local offices needing analysts for supply chain optimization, commodity pricing models, and route efficiency. This is a growing, specialized niche.

5. City of Bryan & Brazos County Government: Local governments are increasingly data-driven. Analysts here work on public safety data (crime stats), utility management, and urban planning. These jobs offer great benefits and stability. Check the City of Bryan's website under "Careers."

6. "Silicon Prairie" Startups: While small, a handful of tech startups are emerging, often with ties to A&M. They seek analysts for product development, user behavior, and market fit. These are higher-risk but offer equity and rapid growth. Look for companies in the Research Valley area.

Hiring Trend: The trend is toward "full-stack" data analysts who can not only query data but also visualize it (Tableau, Power BI) and communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders. Knowledge of SQL is a must; Python or R is a major plus.

Getting Licensed in TX

Here’s the straightforward truth: Texas has no state-specific license required to be a Data Analyst. The field is unlicensed, unlike nursing, law, or accounting. Your "license" is your education, certification, and portfolio.

However, to be competitive, especially at employers like Texas A&M, you need credentials. Here’s the practical path:

1. Education: A bachelor's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or a related field is the standard entry point. Texas A&M, Blinn College, and Texas A&M International in Laredo offer relevant programs. Many local analysts also come from non-traditional backgrounds (e.g., a biology degree with a data certification).

2. Certifications (The "De Facto License"): These are what get you past HR filters. They cost money but are worth it.

   • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera): ~$49/month. Excellent for beginners.
   • Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: ~$165 exam fee. Critical for corporate and government roles.
   • Tableau Desktop Specialist: ~$100 exam fee. Valued in research and healthcare.
   • IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate: ~$49/month. Good for Python and SQL skills.

3. Cost & Timeline: Budget $500 - $1,500 for a mix of certifications. If you're starting from scratch, a 6-month intensive study plan (part-time) is realistic to get one or two foundational certs. A full bootcamp can be $10k+ and 3-6 months, but is rarely needed if you have a degree.

State Resources: The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is your best friend for job listings and training grants. They often have programs for upskilling. The Texas Association of Institutional Research (TAIR) is a great local network for analysts in education.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Bryan is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe and commute. As a data analyst, you'll likely be working in one of three zones: the Texas A&M campus/stafford area, downtown Bryan, or the hospital/health science corridor. Here’s where to live:

1. Bryan South (Traditions & RELLIS Campus area):

   • Commute: Excellent (5-10 mins to A&M, 10 mins to downtown). Easy access to Highway 6.
   • Lifestyle: Newer construction, master-planned communities, golf courses. Quiet, family-friendly. More car-dependent.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,100 - $1,400 for a 1BR.

2. Downtown Bryan:

   • Commute: Easy walk or bike to many offices. 10-15 min drive to A&M.
   • Lifestyle: Vibrant, historic, walkable. Great restaurants, bars, and the historic LaSalle Theatre. Younger demographic, more energy.
   • Rent Estimate: $950 - $1,300 for a 1BR (often in renovated loft-style buildings).

3. Bryan East (near St. Joseph & Bryan ISD):

   • Commute: 10-15 mins to the hospital, 15 mins to A&M.
   • Lifestyle: Established, quiet, more affordable. Older homes, tree-lined streets. Close to parks and the Brazos River.
   • Rent Estimate: $850 - $1,100 for a 1BR.

4. College Station (Northgate Area):

   • Commute: 10-20 mins to Bryan employers. Can be tricky during football season.
   • Lifestyle: College-town energy. Close to bars, concerts, and young professionals. Very walkable.
   • Rent Estimate: $900 - $1,200 for a 1BR.

5. Boonville (West Bryan):

   • Commute: 15-25 mins to most offices, can be longer with traffic.
   • Lifestyle: Rural, spacious, affordable. Good for families who want a bigger yard. Fewer amenities.
   • Rent Estimate: $750 - $950 for a 1BR or small house.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Bryan, career growth isn't about jumping to a new company every two years (there aren't that many). It's about vertical advancement and specialization within your existing employer or the local network.

• Specialty Premiums: The biggest salary jumps come from niche skills.

  • Healthcare Analytics: Knowing HL7, FHIR, and healthcare-specific regulations can add a 10-15% premium.
  • Supply Chain/Logistics: Expertise in routing algorithms and commodity markets is highly valued by local agri-businesses.
  • Educational Data Science: Advanced statistical modeling for student outcomes is a path to senior roles at A&M or Bryan ISD.

• Advancement Paths: A typical path is: Data Analyst -> Senior Data Analyst -> Analytics Manager -> Director of Analytics. At Texas A&M, you might move from a departmental analyst to a university-wide institutional research role. In healthcare, you could move from hospital-specific analytics to a system-wide strategic planning role.

• 10-Year Outlook (36% Growth): This isn't just hype. The growth will be driven by:

  1. A&M's Research Expansion: The new engineering and medical research building will create dozens of new data-centric roles.
  2. Digital Transformation of Local Businesses: Even the farm supply stores and regional manufacturers are adopting data tools.
  3. Remote Work Competition: Bryan's affordability will attract remote workers, but local employers will need to pay competitive salaries to keep them. This could push local salaries up closer to the national average.

Insider Tip: Join the Brazos Valley Data Science Meetup group on Meetup.com. Networking here is more effective than in a giant city. You'll meet the CTO of a local startup over a beer at the Downtown Bryan bar instead of a crowded conference hall.

The Verdict: Is Bryan Right for You?

Bryan offers a rare combination: a low cost of living, a growing job market, and a high quality of life. But it's not for everyone. Here’s the unvarnished truth.

Pros	Cons
Extremely Low Cost of Living: Your salary goes much further. Homeownership is very attainable.	Limited Social Scene: It's not Austin. Nightlife is quiet; options are fewer.
Stable, Growing Job Market: Anchored by a major university and healthcare. 36% growth is real.	Car Dependency: You will need a car. Public transit is limited.
Short Commutes: 15-minute commutes are the norm. You get hours of your life back.	Limited Tech Community: Fewer meetups, conferences, and networking events than major hubs.
High Quality of Life: Safe, friendly, family-oriented, with great parks and outdoor access.	"College Town" Dynamics: On game days and holidays, the population swells, and traffic can be frustrating.
Mild Winters: No shoveling snow.	Summers are Brutal: High heat and humidity from June to September.

Final Recommendation:
Bryan is an excellent choice for Data Analysts who prioritize work-life balance, affordability, and long-term stability over the fast-paced, high-cost lifestyle of a major tech hub. It's ideal for those who are early in their careers, looking to buy a home, or raising a family. If you crave a vibrant nightlife, a massive dating pool, and constant industry events, you may find it limiting. However, for the pragmatic analyst who sees data as a tool to build a life—not just a career—Bryan is a hidden gem.

FAQs

Q: What is the main industry for data analysts in Bryan?
A: Education and Healthcare. Texas A&M and its affiliated research institutes are the largest employers, followed by the two major hospital systems. There's a growing niche in agriculture and logistics data.

Q: Is a Master's degree necessary to get a job here?
A: No. A bachelor's degree combined with a strong portfolio and relevant certifications (like Power BI or Tableau) is often sufficient, especially for entry and mid-level roles. A Master's is typically needed for leadership or specialized research roles at Texas A&M.

Q: How competitive is the job market? Do I need to know someone?
A: It's moderately competitive. While Texas A&M is a large employer, they have structured hiring processes. Networking does help, but it's not the "old boys' club" some might expect. The 179 available jobs suggest a healthy market. Your best bet is to apply directly through employer websites and use LinkedIn to connect with analysts at those companies.

Q: What's the commute like from Bryan to Houston or Austin?
A: Houston is about 1.5 hours via US-290. Austin is about 2 hours via TX-21. Both are doable for occasional trips, but not for daily commutes. This proximity is a perk—you can access big-city amenities on weekends without living there.

Q: Should I live in Bryan or College Station?
A: Choose Bryan for a quieter, more residential feel and slightly better housing value. Choose College Station for a younger, more vibrant social scene (especially near Northgate