Data Analyst in Jackson, WY

Of course. Here is a comprehensive career guide for Data Analysts considering Jackson, WY.

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The Salary Picture: Where Jackson Stands

Living and working in Jackson as a Data Analyst puts you in a unique position. You're in one of the most iconic mountain towns in the world, but your salary data tells a fascinating story. The median salary for a Data Analyst in Jackson is $82,609/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $39.72/hour. This is just a hair below the national average for the role, which sits at $83,360/year.

At first glance, that might seem underwhelming. But context is everything. The Cost of Living Index for Teton County is 97.0 (US avg = 100). While housing is the major exception, your other expenses are roughly on par with the national average, meaning that $82,609 goes further here than it might in a major coastal metro. The metro area is small, with only about 21 Data Analyst jobs listed at any given time, but the 10-year job growth projection is a robust 36%, signaling strong, sustained demand.

Here’s how salaries break down by experience level. These are estimates based on local job postings and industry standards for the region.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	What to Expect
Entry-Level	$65,000 - $72,000	Supporting roles in hospitality or local government. Strong SQL and Excel are must-haves.
Mid-Level	$78,000 - $90,000	The median range. You'll own reporting for a specific department and work with business intelligence tools.
Senior/Expert	$95,000 - $120,000+	Leading analytics strategy, managing junior analysts, and influencing high-level business decisions.

When you compare Jackson to other Wyoming cities, the picture becomes clearer. Cheyenne and Casper, as larger state hubs, often have a higher volume of jobs in state government and energy sectors, which can sometimes push entry-level salaries slightly higher. However, Jackson's unique economy—driven by high-end tourism, real estate, and non-profits—creates a different demand curve. The 36% job growth in Jackson significantly outpaces the state average, making it a hotspot for career advancement for the right candidate.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get down to the monthly numbers. A Data Analyst earning the median salary of $82,609/year can expect their financial reality in Jackson to be a balancing act, primarily due to housing.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown. (Note: Taxes are estimated; your take-home will vary based on deductions. Teton County has a 6% sales tax and a 2% lodging tax, but no local income tax.)

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$6,884	From $82,609/year
Taxes (Est. 22%)	$1,514	Federal, FICA, and state (WY has no state income tax)
Estimated Take-Home Pay	$5,370
Rent (1BR Average)	$921	This is the county-wide average; town center is higher.
Utilities (Electric, Heat, Water)	$180	Heating costs are significant in winter.
Groceries	$450	Slightly higher than national avg due to transport.
Transportation (Gas, Insurance)	$250	You'll likely own a car; public transit is limited.
Health Insurance	$300	Varies by employer; this is a typical employee contribution.
Internet/Phone	$150
Discretionary/Food Out/Entertainment	$800	This is the "Jackson" lifestyle cost. Ski passes, dining out, etc.
Remaining / Savings	$1,319

Insider Tip: The $921/month for a 1BR is a county average. In the Town of Jackson, you'll be closer to $1,300-$1,600/month for a modern 1BR apartment. To make the median salary work comfortably, many analysts opt for a roommate or a smaller studio, which can bring rent down to $1,000-$1,200.

Can they afford to buy a home? At the median salary, it's challenging. The median home price in Jackson is well over $1 million. A 20% down payment is out of reach for most. However, some local employers, particularly non-profits and the school district, offer down payment assistance programs for qualified employees. It's a long-term goal, not an immediate reality for most mid-level analysts.

Where the Jobs Are: Jackson's Major Employers

The job market is specialized. You won't find the big tech firms, but you will find data-heavy roles in these key local sectors. The 21 job openings are typically split among these employers.

1. St. John's Health (Hospital): The largest employer in the county. They need analysts for patient data, operational efficiency, and financial reporting. This is a stable, evergreen source of jobs. Hiring is steady but competitive; they value analysts with healthcare-specific knowledge (like EPIC systems experience).
2. Teton County School District #1: Manages a significant budget and student data. Roles here often focus on student achievement metrics, budget allocation, and grant reporting. It's a great path for those with a public sector or education interest.
3. Town of Jackson & Teton County Government: From planning and zoning to parks and rec, local government is a huge data user. Positions here analyze everything from traffic patterns to tourism impact and property tax data. The hiring process is formal and can be slow.
4. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) & Grand Teton National Park (Concessionaires): The core of the tourism economy. JHMR and concessionaires like Vail Resorts (which operates the mountain) need analysts for guest data, pricing strategies, and operational logistics. This is where you see the highest demand for analysts with digital marketing and customer analytics skills.
5. Real Estate & Development Firms: Companies like Sotheby's International Realty and local developers rely on data analysts to track market trends, price luxury properties, and forecast development ROI. This sector pays well but is highly sensitive to economic cycles.
6. Non-Profit Organizations (Environmental & Conservation): Jackson is a hub for groups like the Nature Conservancy and Teton Conservation District. They need analysts to track conservation metrics, donor data, and grant outcomes. These roles often require a passion for the mission.
7. Professional Services Firms: Local accounting and consulting firms (e.g., Cody & Associates P.C.) employ analysts for client financial data and business intelligence.

Insider Tip: Many jobs are filled through networking. The local chamber of commerce events and data/tech meetups (often organized through the Jackson Hole Tech Alliance) are where you hear about openings before they're posted publicly.

Getting Licensed in WY

For Data Analysts, Wyoming has no state-specific license to practice. The field is generally credential-based, not licensure-based. Your "license" is your skill set, portfolio, and certifications.

The Real "Required" Credentials:

• Education: A bachelor's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field is the standard entry requirement.
• Technical Proficiency: Mastery of SQL, Excel, and a visualization tool (Tableau, Power BI) is non-negotiable. Python or R is increasingly required for mid-to-senior roles.
• Certifications (Optional but Valued):
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate: A solid, affordable entry point.
  • Tableau Desktop Specialist / Certified Data Analyst: Highly valued in the tourism and real estate sectors for creating client-facing dashboards.
  • Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: Useful for corporate and government roles.

Timeline & Costs to Get Started:

• Career Changer (Bachelor's not in field): 6-12 months. Consider a bootcamp (e.g., General Assembly, $12k) or a part-time certificate program ($5k). Build a portfolio with public datasets (e.g., Jackson's own open data portal).
• Existing Analyst Moving to Jackson: 2-3 months. Focus on tailoring your resume to local sectors (hospitality, non-profit, government). Get a Tableau or Power BI certification to stand out. Start networking remotely via LinkedIn with local professionals.
• Cost: Budget $200 - $500 for exam fees for certifications. If you need a bootcamp, it's a larger investment, but often paid over time.

Resource: The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services is the best place for general career guidance and labor market data.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Choosing where to live in Jackson defines your lifestyle and commute. Here’s a breakdown of key areas.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Insider Tip
Town of Jackson (East Side)	The heart of it all. Walk to everything. Commute to any employer is under 10 mins by car or bike.	$1,400 - $1,800	The most competitive rental market. You'll need to act fast and have all your documents ready.
The Aspens / Rendezvous Mountain	Suburban, family-friendly. 10-15 min drive to town. Close to the ski area.	$1,200 - $1,600	Popular with resort employees. You get more space but are car-dependent for most errands.
Wilson	Rural, quiet, and upscale. 15-20 min commute to Jackson.	$1,300 - $1,700	Great for those who want a home office with a view. The commute is straightforward on Hwy 22.
South Park / Fall Creek	Residential, established neighborhoods. 5-10 min commute. More single-family homes.	$1,100 - $1,500	Offers a good balance of local living without the tourist bustle of downtown.
Teton Village	Luxury ski-in/ski-out living. 20 min drive to Jackson (can be longer in winter).	$2,000+	Only practical if you work for JHMR or a high-end real estate firm. A premium lifestyle with a premium price.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Your 10-year outlook in Jackson is promising if you align with the local economy. The 36% job growth means more roles will open up, but advancement typically happens within the local ecosystem.

Specialty Premiums: You can boost your salary by 15-25% by developing niche expertise:

• Tourism & Hospitality Analytics: Mastering revenue management, guest segmentation, and dynamic pricing.
• Conservation & Environmental Data: Expertise in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is golden for the non-profit sector.
• Real Estate Analytics: Deep knowledge of luxury market trends and investment forecasting.

Advancement Paths:

• From Analyst to Senior Analyst (2-4 years): You'll move from running reports to designing data models and advising department heads.
• From Senior Analyst to Analytics Manager/Director (5-8 years): In a small market, this often means managing one or two junior analysts and owning the data strategy for an entire organization (e.g., for the whole hospital or school district).
• The Consultant Route: After 7-10 years, many experienced analysts go independent, consulting for multiple small businesses, non-profits, and real estate agencies that can't afford a full-time analyst.

10-Year Outlook: The trend is toward more data-driven decision-making in all local sectors. The hospital is expanding, the school district's budget grows, and tourism is perpetually evolving. The biggest risk is the town's reliance on a single industry (tourism), but the diversification into healthcare, tech, and non-profit work is creating a more resilient job market for analysts.

The Verdict: Is Jackson Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation (skiing, hiking, climbing).	Extremely high housing costs relative to salaries.
Unique, non-corporate job market with a strong mission-driven focus.	Limited job market; if you lose your job, options are few.
Strong job growth (36%) for a small town.	Social life can be cliquey; networking is essential.
No state income tax, which boosts your take-home pay.	Tourist traffic and seasonal economy can be disruptive.
Salaries go further due to a lower cost of living (excluding housing).	Limited amenities; no major airport, limited shopping, few "city" perks.

Final Recommendation:
Jackson is not an ideal choice for a Data Analyst who prioritizes maximizing salary or climbing a corporate ladder in a traditional sense. You will leave money on the table compared to major tech hubs.

However, if you are a lifestyle-driven analyst who values work-life balance, has a passion for the outdoors, and is excited by the prospect of using data to support a tight-knit community (whether in healthcare, education, or conservation), Jackson is an unparalleled opportunity. The career is the vehicle to live the Jackson lifestyle, not the other way around. Your success here depends on embracing the local economy and community, not just the job title.

FAQs

Q: Is the job market for Data Analysts really that small?
A: Yes. With only about 21 jobs listed at a time, it's a niche market. This is why networking and being open to roles outside of pure tech firms is critical. The growth (36%) is impressive, but starting from a very small base.

Q: Can I get a job in Jackson before I move there?
A: It's possible, especially for senior roles or with larger employers like the hospital. However, for many positions, local employers prefer candidates who are already in the area or have a clear understanding of the community. A strong cover letter explaining your motivation to relocate is key.

Q: What's the biggest surprise about being a Data Analyst in Jackson?
A: The variety. One day you might be analyzing ski lift ticket sales, the next you're helping a non-profit track wildlife migration data. You won't get siloed, and you'll quickly become a generalist who understands the entire local economy.

Q: Do I need to be an outdoor enthusiast to fit in?
A: It helps immensely. The social scene revolves around outdoor activities. You don't have to be an expert skier, but a willingness to be outside in all seasons is part of the cultural fabric. It's how you connect with colleagues and neighbors.

Q: How competitive is the rental market?
A: Extremely. Jackson has a severe housing shortage. Be prepared to have your credit report, references, and proof of income (a job offer letter is best) ready to go. Start your search as early as possible, and consider looking at neighboring areas like Alpine or Victor, ID, though the commute will be longer.