Data Analyst in Cleveland, OH

The Salary Picture: Where Cleveland Stands

Let's cut straight to the numbers, because that's what a data analyst is trained to do. In Cleveland, the median salary for a Data Analyst is $81,309/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $39.09/hour. For context, the national average sits slightly higher at $83,360/year. This means Cleveland's market pays about 2.5% below the national median. However, this figure is misleading if you don't factor in the cost of living, which we'll get to in a moment.

The job market is active but not overflowing. There are approximately 725 Data Analyst positions across the Greater Cleveland metro area. The 10-year job growth projection is a solid 36%, which outpaces many other industries and indicates a healthy, growing demand for data skills. This growth is largely driven by Cleveland's entrenched healthcare and insurance sectors, which are increasingly reliant on data for operational efficiency and patient outcomes.

To understand where you might fit in, here’s a breakdown by experience level. These are estimates based on local job postings and industry surveys, calibrated to the median base salary.

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Estimated Base Salary Range	Common Titles
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$58,000 - $70,000	Junior Data Analyst, Reporting Analyst
Mid-Level	3-5 years	$75,000 - $92,000	Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst
Senior	6-9 years	$95,000 - $115,000	Senior Data Analyst, Analytics Manager
Expert/Lead	10+ years	$120,000+	Analytics Lead, Director of Data & Analytics

Comparing to other Ohio cities, Cleveland offers a compelling middle ground. Columbus, as the state capital and a tech hub, often commands a higher median salary (closer to $87,000) but also has a higher cost of living. Cincinnati's data analyst salaries are very similar to Cleveland's, but its job growth is slightly slower. Cleveland's value proposition is its combination of a decent salary and a very low cost of living, which we'll quantify next.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base salary. Many Cleveland employers, especially in healthcare and manufacturing, offer strong bonus structures and annual profit-sharing, which can add 5-10% to your total compensation. Always ask about these during negotiations.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary of $81,309 sounds good on paper, but let's see what it looks like in your bank account. For a single filer with no dependents (using standard deduction), federal income taxes would be approximately $12,500 annually, and Ohio state income tax would be around $3,150 (a progressive rate). Social Security and Medicare (FICA) take another $6,220. This leaves you with a net take-home pay of roughly $59,439 per year, or about $4,953 per month.

Now, let's factor in rent. The average 1-bedroom apartment in the Cleveland metro area costs $913/month. This is a key advantage. Let's build a monthly budget for a Data Analyst earning the median $81,309:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	% of Net Pay	Notes
Rent (1BR Avg)	$913	18.4%	This is below the recommended 30% threshold.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$150	3.0%	Varies by season; older buildings can be less efficient.
Groceries	$350	7.1%	Cleveland has multiple affordable grocery chains.
Transportation	$200	4.0%	Gas, insurance, or a monthly RTA pass.
Health Insurance (if employer plan)	$150	3.0%	Premiums vary widely; many employers cover a portion.
Student Loans/Debt	$200	4.0%	Adjust based on your personal situation.
Discretionary Spending	$1,800	36.3%	Dining, entertainment, savings, travel, etc.
Total	$3,763	76.0%	Leaves $1,190 for savings, investments, and emergencies.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in the Cleveland metro area is around $175,000. With a $1,190 monthly surplus, a Data Analyst could save a $20,000 down payment in about 17 months. With excellent credit, they could likely qualify for a mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) of $1,100/month, which is very manageable on their net income. This is a stark contrast to cities like San Francisco or New York, where homeownership is often out of reach for mid-career professionals.

Where the Jobs Are: Cleveland's Major Employers

Cleveland's economy is anchored by "eds and meds"—education and healthcare. This is where the bulk of data analyst jobs are concentrated. Here are the key players:

1. Cleveland Clinic & University Hospitals: These two healthcare giants are massive employers of data analysts. Roles focus on patient outcomes, operational efficiency, supply chain logistics, and clinical trial data. Hiring is constant, but competition is fierce. They value analysts with healthcare domain knowledge.
2. Progressive Insurance: Headquartered in nearby Mayfield Village, Progressive is a tech-forward insurance company. They hire a significant number of data analysts for pricing models, fraud detection, and customer analytics. Their culture is more corporate-tech, with a focus on continuous learning.
3. Sherwin-Williams: The global paint and coatings giant is headquartered in Cleveland. They need analysts for supply chain optimization, sales forecasting, and manufacturing efficiency. This is a great path for someone interested in the manufacturing and B2B sectors.
4. KeyBank & PNC Bank: Both major banks have large regional headquarters in Cleveland. They employ data analysts for risk management, credit scoring, customer segmentation, and regulatory reporting. The work is stable and the benefits are typically excellent.
5. Cleveland State University & Case Western Reserve University: While smaller than the hospitals, both universities hire analysts for institutional research, enrollment management, and grant management. These roles often come with excellent work-life balance and tuition benefits.
6. Cuyahoga County Government & The City of Cleveland: Public sector jobs are a stable option. Analysts here work on everything from public health data to urban planning and budgeting. The hiring process is slower but the benefits are very strong.

Hiring Trends: There's a clear shift toward analysts who are proficient in SQL and Python, and who can visualize data in tools like Tableau or Power BI. The demand for pure Excel jockeys is diminishing. Many companies are also looking for analysts who understand cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP). Right now, healthcare and insurance are the hottest sectors, with steady demand in manufacturing and banking.

Getting Licensed in OH

This is a straightforward process, as there are no state-specific license requirements to be a data analyst. The value is in your skills and portfolio, not a government-issued license. However, there are professional certifications that are highly valued by Cleveland employers.

• The "License": Think of your resume and portfolio as your license. A strong GitHub profile with clean, documented code and a portfolio of projects (even from Kaggle or personal interests) is more important than any state credential.
• Key Certifications (Cost & Timeline):
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera): $39/month. A great entry-level credential. Can be completed in 3-6 months with dedicated study.
  • Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: Exam cost is $165. Prep time is typically 1-2 months. Extremely relevant for corporate Cleveland jobs.
  • Tableau Desktop Specialist: Exam cost is $100. A good entry-level cert for the visualization tool. Prep time: 1 month.
  • AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty: Exam cost is $300. This is an advanced, specialty cert for cloud-based analytics. Requires significant hands-on experience; prep can take 3-6 months.
• Timeline to Get Started: If you're starting from scratch, you can get job-ready in 6-9 months with a structured learning plan. Focus on SQL first, then Python or R, then a visualization tool. Build 3-4 solid projects for your portfolio. The local Cleveland tech meetups (like Data Science Cleveland or Cleveland Coders) are invaluable for networking and getting feedback.

Insider Tip: Many local employers, especially the hospitals and banks, offer tuition reimbursement for relevant certifications. It's worth asking about this in interviews. Some companies will pay for your exam fees.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Choosing where to live in Cleveland is about balancing commute time, lifestyle, and budget. The city's neighborhoods have distinct personalities.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Average 1BR Rent	Best For
Downtown Cleveland	Urban, walkable, close to many corporate offices (KeyBank, PNC, Sherwin-Williams). Short commute for many. Can be noisy and more expensive.	$1,100 - $1,400	Young professionals who want an active social scene and a short commute.
Ohio City / Tremont	Historic, trendy, full of restaurants and breweries. Great for social life. Commute to downtown or University Circle is ~10-15 mins by car.	$1,000 - $1,300	Analysts who prioritize nightlife, culture, and a vibrant neighborhood feel.
University Circle / Little Italy	Academic and cultural hub. Home to CWRU, Cleveland Clinic, and museums. Commute to hospitals is walking or a short bus ride. Quieter, more intellectual vibe.	$900 - $1,200	Those working in healthcare or academia. Great for students and lifelong learners.
Lakewood	A dense, inner-ring suburb west of the city. Excellent walkability, diverse community, and a direct bus line to downtown. More residential but still lively.	$850 - $1,100	A fantastic balance of city access and suburban comfort. Very popular with young professionals.
Shaker Heights	A planned, historic suburb east of the city. Leafy streets, excellent public schools, and a direct rail line (RTA Red Line) to downtown and University Circle.	$900 - $1,200	Analysts planning for a family or who value top-tier schools and a quiet, established community.

Insider Tip: Traffic in Cleveland is generally mild, but the I-90 corridor can get congested during rush hour. If you work at a hospital in University Circle, living in Cleveland Heights or Shaker Heights gives you a reverse commute and easy access via the HealthLine bus rapid transit.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Cleveland offers a solid long-term career trajectory for data analysts, with clear paths to specialization and leadership.

• Specialty Premiums: Certain specializations can boost your earning potential by 10-20% above the median.
  • Healthcare Analytics: Given the dominance of hospitals, analysts with clinical data experience (e.g., understanding EHR systems like Epic) command a premium.
  • Financial Analytics: Working in risk modeling or fraud detection at a bank or insurer like Progressive can lead to higher salaries.
  • Supply Chain/Manufacturing Analytics: Analysts who can optimize complex logistics for companies like Sherwin-Williams are highly valued.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Junior Analyst -> Analyst -> Senior Analyst -> Analytics Manager. From there, you can move into a Director of Analytics role or pivot into Data Engineering or Data Science. Many Cleveland companies have flat hierarchies, so you can gain responsibility quickly by demonstrating impact.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 36% job growth projection is strong. Cleveland is not a tech startup hub, but it's a stable, established market for data professionals in legacy industries that are undergoing digital transformation. The demand for analysts who can bridge the gap between data and business strategy will only grow. The key to staying relevant will be continuous learning, especially in AI/ML fundamentals and cloud-based analytics.

The Verdict: Is Cleveland Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Extremely affordable cost of living. Your salary goes much further here.	Salaries are below the national average. You trade top-tier pay for a lower cost of living.
Stable job market in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.	Limited "sexy" tech startup scene. Fewer opportunities in consumer tech or high-growth VC-backed firms.
Short, manageable commutes. Most jobs are within a 20-minute drive.	Winters are long and gray. The lake effect snow can be a real adjustment.
Rich cultural amenities (Cleveland Orchestra, world-class museums, pro sports).	The "Rust Belt" stigma persists, though the city is revitalizing steadily.
Easy path to homeownership and building wealth.	Public transit is limited outside of core lines; a car is almost essential.

Final Recommendation: Cleveland is an excellent choice for a data analyst who values work-life balance, financial stability, and a lower cost of living over chasing the highest possible salary in a hyper-competitive market. It's ideal for those starting a family, looking to buy a home, or who prefer a stable corporate environment over a volatile startup. If your primary goal is to maximize your salary at all costs, you might look to Columbus, Austin, or larger coastal cities. But if you want a high quality of life, a strong sense of community, and a career where you can have a tangible impact, Cleveland is a data-driven, compelling choice.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a car to be a Data Analyst in Cleveland?
A: In most cases, yes. While you can live car-free in specific neighborhoods like Ohio City or Downtown and commute via RTA bus or rail, many employers (especially in the suburbs like Mayfield Village for Progressive) are not easily accessible by public transit. A car provides necessary flexibility.

Q: How competitive is the Cleveland job market for entry-level analysts?
A: It's competitive but not impenetrable. The key is to have a strong portfolio. With 725 open jobs, there are opportunities. Employers here value practical skills over just a degree. Completing a certification and having 2-3 well-documented projects will put you ahead of many candidates.

Q: What's the best way to network with other data analysts in Cleveland?
A: Attend meetups like Data Science Cleveland or CodeMash (a large regional conference). LinkedIn is also powerful; connect with analysts at local companies like Progressive or the Clinic. Many are happy to give informational interviews. The local tech community is collaborative.

Q: Are there opportunities for remote work with Cleveland-based companies?
A: Yes, hybrid models are increasingly common, especially post-pandemic. Many Cleveland employers offer 2-3 days of remote work per week. Fully remote roles are less common but exist, particularly for larger corporations that have adopted a remote-first policy. It's a standard question to ask in an interview.

Q: What's the biggest challenge for data analysts in Cleveland?
A: The biggest challenge is often data fragmentation. Many legacy systems in Cleveland's older industries (manufacturing, healthcare) have data siloed in different systems. A key skill for a successful analyst here is the ability to clean, integrate, and make sense of messy, disparate data sources. It’s a great environment for learning data engineering fundamentals.