Data Analyst in Gillette, WY

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Data Analysts considering a move to Gillette, Wyoming.

---

The Salary Picture: Where Gillette Stands

As a local, I’ll tell you straight: Gillette isn’t a tech hub like Denver or Austin. But for data analysts, it’s a unique market where your skills are in high demand in specific, often high-paying industries. The local economy is anchored in energy and construction, and the data roles here reflect that. You won’t find a sea of startups, but you will find stable, well-paying jobs with employers who rely heavily on operational data, logistics, and resource management.

Here’s the hard data. The median salary for a Data Analyst in Gillette is $82,609/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.72/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $83,360/year, but that number can be misleading. The cost of living in Gillette is 97.0 (US avg = 100), meaning your paycheck stretches further here than in most of the country. The real value isn’t just in the base salary; it’s in the purchasing power.

The job market is small but growing. There are only 66 Data Analyst jobs in the metro area, but the 10-year job growth is a robust 36%. This growth is tied to the continued expansion of the energy sector, the need for efficiency in construction, and the digitalization of local healthcare and government services.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Breaking down the salary by experience level gives a clearer picture of your potential earnings trajectory in Gillette.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Responsibilities in Gillette
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$60,000 - $72,000	Basic reporting, data cleaning, supporting senior analysts in production or logistics.
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$75,000 - $90,000	Building dashboards, independent analysis for specific departments (e.g., mine ops, public works), SQL/Python proficiency.
Senior-Level (5-8 years)	$90,000 - $110,000	Leading projects, predictive modeling for resource extraction, managing data pipelines, mentoring junior staff.
Expert/Lead (8+ years)	$110,000+	Strategic leadership, cross-departmental data architecture, advanced statistical modeling, direct impact on company-wide KPIs.

Note: These ranges are estimates based on local job postings and industry standards, aligned with the provided median.

Comparison to Other Wyoming Cities

To understand Gillette’s position, it’s helpful to see how it stacks up against other cities in Wyoming, a state with a decentralized economy.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg = 100)	Primary Industries for Data Analysts
Gillette	$82,609	97.0	Energy, Construction, Healthcare
Cheyenne (State Capital)	$85,000	98.5	Government, Insurance, Logistics
Casper	$80,500	96.5	Energy (Oil & Gas), Healthcare
Jackson	$88,000	135.0+	Tourism, Hospitality, Real Estate (High COL)
Laramie	$78,000	94.0	Education (University of Wyoming), Government

Gillette sits comfortably in the middle. It offers a higher salary than Laramie or Casper but has a more reasonable cost of living than Jackson. Cheyenne might have a slightly higher median, but Gillette's specific focus on the booming energy sector often leads to more specialized and lucrative roles for analysts who understand that industry.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. A salary of $82,609/year sounds good, but what does it actually mean for your daily life in Gillette? Let’s break it down for a single filer, assuming standard deductions (federal, state, FICA).

Monthly Take-Home Pay:

• Gross Monthly: $6,884
• Estimated Taxes (approx. 22%): ~$1,515
• Net Monthly (Take-Home): ~$5,369

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Rent (1BR Average): $921
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet): $250 - $300
• Groceries: $400 - $500
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: $450 - $600 (Gillette is car-dependent)
• Health Insurance (if not employer-covered): $300 - $400
• Entertainment & Dining: $300 - $400
• Savings/Retirement (15% of gross): $1,032
• Remaining Discretionary: $500 - $1,000

As you can see, the budget is healthy. The low rent is the key. With the average 1BR rent at $921/month, you’re spending only about 17% of your net income on housing, well below the recommended 30%. This leaves substantial room for savings, debt repayment, or lifestyle spending.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely.
The median home price in Campbell County (where Gillette is located) hovers around $350,000 - $400,000. With a 20% down payment ($70k-$80k), a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would be roughly $1,800 - $2,100. Given your take-home pay of $5,369/month, a mortgage would be 33-39% of your net income—a manageable, if slightly high, ratio. Many local employers in the energy sector offer excellent benefits and bonuses that can significantly accelerate home ownership.

Insider Tip: Many professionals in Gillette live in the nearby towns of Wright or Rozet for even lower housing costs and a short commute. It’s a common strategy to maximize savings.

Where the Jobs Are: Gillette's Major Employers

The job market here is not about tech giants; it’s about foundational local industries. Data analysts are crucial for optimizing these operations. Here are the major players you should be targeting:

1. Campbell County Health (CCH): The largest healthcare provider in the region, operating Campbell County Memorial Hospital and several clinics. They need analysts for patient data, operational efficiency, financial reporting, and public health tracking. Hiring is steady, driven by ongoing healthcare digitization and population growth.

2. Arch Resources (formerly Arch Coal): A major player in the coal mining industry. They have the Black Thunder Mine, one of the largest in the world. Data analysts here work on production metrics, equipment telemetry, supply chain logistics, and safety data. This is where you find the highest-paying, most specialized roles. Hiring is cyclical but has been strong due to stable coal demand.

3. Kinder Morgan: Operates natural gas pipelines and storage facilities in the area. They need analysts for monitoring pipeline flow, integrity data, regulatory compliance reporting, and financial analysis. The work is critical and highly data-intensive.

4. City of Gillette & Campbell County Government: Local government is a surprisingly large employer for data professionals. Roles are in public works (traffic patterns, utility usage), law enforcement (crime statistics), and administrative services (budgeting, census data). Jobs here offer stability and good benefits.

5. Thunder Basin High School (and Campbell County School District #1): The school district is a major employer. Data analysts are needed for student performance metrics, standardized testing analysis, budget allocation, and demographic studies. The work is impactful and directly serves the community.

6. Gillette College (Northern Wyoming Community College District): As the local community college, they employ analysts for enrollment tracking, program effectiveness, and grant reporting. It’s a great environment for those interested in education data.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward analysts who are not just technical but can communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders—like a mine superintendent or a hospital administrator. Experience with specific industry software (like mining planning software or EHR systems) is a huge plus.

Getting Licensed in WY

Good news: Wyoming has one of the least burdensome licensing environments for data professionals. There is no state-specific license required to work as a Data Analyst. The field is merit-based, relying on your education, skills, and portfolio.

However, there are steps to legitimize your credentials and stand out:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree is the standard entry requirement, typically in Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or Business. Degrees from the University of Wyoming are highly regarded locally.
• Certifications: While not mandatory, certifications are valued. Consider:
  • Google Data Analytics Certificate (for entry-level)
  • Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate (Power BI is widely used)
  • Tableau Desktop Specialist (or higher)
• Costs: Certification exams typically range from $100 - $300. There are no recurring state licensing fees for data analysts in Wyoming.
• Timeline: If you have a relevant degree and basic skills, you can start applying immediately. If you need to upskill, a 3-6 month intensive course (like a bootcamp or certification track) is a realistic timeline to become job-ready.

Insider Tip: Reach out to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services for potential grants or training programs, especially if you’re transitioning from another industry like energy or trades.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts in Gillette

Gillette is a compact city, so commute times are generally short (10-20 minutes). Your choice will depend on lifestyle and budget.

1. Downtown / Historic District: The heart of the city. You’re walking distance to local restaurants, the Campbell County Public Library, and the energy center. It’s charming but has fewer large apartment complexes. Rent for a 1BR is around $950-$1,100/month. Best for those who want a walkable, community feel.

2. East Gillette (Near Campbell County Health): This area is convenient for healthcare professionals. It’s quiet, residential, and has easy access to I-90 for commutes to the mines or other businesses. You’ll find newer subdivisions and some apartment complexes. Rent is close to the city average, $900-$1,000/month.

3. West Gillette (Near Walmart & High Schools): The commercial hub. You’re surrounded by shopping, dining, and services. Commutes to the government buildings or downtown are easy. It’s a practical, no-fuss area. 1BR apartments are plentiful and typically $850-$950/month.

4. The Ranches / South Gillette: This area is more suburban, with larger lots and newer homes. It’s ideal for analysts who value space, a quieter environment, and a short, easy commute. Rent is similar to the rest of the city, but you get more for your money. Expect $900-$1,050/month for a 1BR.

Insider Tip: Many professionals live in Wright, a 20-minute drive west of Gillette. It’s a smaller community with even lower rents (often $750-$850/month) and a tight-knit feel, popular with families and those working in the energy sector.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Gillette, career growth for a Data Analyst is less about climbing a corporate ladder in a single company and more about deepening your industry expertise and expanding your network.

Specialty Premiums:

• Energy/Resource Extraction: Analysts with experience in geostatistics, production forecasting, and equipment telemetry can command salaries 10-20% above the median.
• Healthcare Analytics: Expertise in EHR (Electronic Health Record) systems, patient outcome modeling, and regulatory reporting (HIPAA) is in high demand at CCH.
• GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Given Wyoming's vast geography, analysts skilled in ArcGIS or QGIS are invaluable for logistics, land use, and environmental monitoring across all major local industries.

Advancement Paths:

1. Technical Path: Junior Analyst → Senior Analyst → Data Scientist/Architect → Chief Data Officer (rare, but possible in large companies like Arch).
2. Management Path: Analyst → Analytics Manager → Director of Business Intelligence (common in healthcare and government).
3. Specialist Path: Analyst → Domain Expert (e.g., "Mining Data Expert") → Consultant for multiple firms.

10-Year Outlook:
The 36% job growth is a strong indicator. As automation handles more routine data collection, the demand for analysts who can interpret complex data and drive strategic decisions will only increase. Gillette’s unique position as the economic engine of northeastern Wyoming means its data analysts will be central to managing resources, public services, and economic development for decades to come.

The Verdict: Is Gillette Right for You?

Making a move is a big decision. Here’s a balanced look at what life as a Data Analyst in Gillette truly offers.

Pros	Cons
Excellent Purchasing Power: High salary relative to a low cost of living.	Limited Industry Variety: Your career is tied to energy, healthcare, and government.
Strong, Stable Job Market: The 36% growth indicates opportunity and stability.	Isolation: You’re 3+ hours from a major airport (Denver) and larger city amenities.
Low Commutes & Traffic: You can live anywhere and be at work in minutes.	Social Scene is Niche: Nightlife is quiet; the community is built around outdoor activities and local events.
Outdoor Access: World-class hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping are minutes away.	Harsh Winters: Winters are long, cold, and can be severe. A reliable vehicle is a must.
Community Feel: People are friendly, and you can make a real impact locally.	Housing Market Pressure: The boom-and-bust cycles of energy can affect housing availability and prices.

Final Recommendation:
Gillette is an outstanding choice for a Data Analyst who values financial stability, a low cost of living, and a direct, tangible impact on their community. It's ideal for those who don't need big-city nightlife and instead find fulfillment in outdoor recreation, a strong work ethic, and a slower pace of life. If you specialize in energy, healthcare, or public sector data, the opportunities here are better than in many larger, more competitive markets. However, if you crave the buzz of a tech scene, frequent travel, and endless dining options, you may find Gillette limiting.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car in Gillette?
Yes, absolutely. Gillette is a spread-out city with no public transportation system. A reliable vehicle is essential for commuting and daily life.

2. What’s the job interview process like here?
It’s typically straightforward. Expect a technical screening (often SQL or Excel-based), followed by an interview with the hiring manager and team. Be prepared to discuss how your analysis directly impacts business goals—local employers value practical application over theoretical knowledge.

3. How is the internet and remote work scene?
High-speed internet is available in most of the city. Remote work exists, especially for national companies with local offices, but the strongest job market is for in-person roles that support local operations (mines, hospitals, city offices).

4. Is it family-friendly?
Yes, very. Gillette has safe neighborhoods, good public schools, and a strong community focus. The low cost of living makes it easier to support a family on a single income. Outdoor activities are a huge part of family life here.

5. What’s the biggest adjustment for newcomers?
The climate and the social pace. Winters are long and can be isolating if you’re not prepared for them. The social scene is more about community gatherings, sports events, and outdoor clubs than bars and clubs. Building a network takes a bit more effort, but the connections you make are often deep and lasting.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Campbell County Economic Development, Zillow/Rent.com market data, local employer job postings.