Data Analyst in Madison, MS

The Salary Picture: Where Madison Stands

As a local who’s watched the data scene in Madison evolve from a quiet suburb into a genuine tech hub, I can tell you the numbers are solid, but the story is in the nuance. Madison isn't a sprawling metropolis, but it's strategically positioned. It’s the northern anchor of the Jackson metro, offering a higher quality of life than the capital city proper while still tapping into its economic gravity. For a Data Analyst, this means you get the benefits of a metro job market without the daily grind of downtown traffic.

Let's get straight to the numbers. The median salary for a Data Analyst in Madison is $81,034/year. Break that down, and it translates to an hourly rate of $38.96/hour. This is crucial for understanding your daily and weekly earning potential. Now, how does this stack up? The national average for Data Analysts is $83,360/year. Madison sits just under the national average, which is a common pattern for mid-sized Southern cities. The key here isn't beating the national median; it's the cost of living. We’ll get to that.

The job market itself is telling. In the Madison metro area, there are roughly 55 Data Analyst jobs available at any given time. This isn't a massive volume like you'd find in Atlanta or Dallas, but it's a consistent, stable market. More importantly, the 10-year job growth projection is 36%. This is significantly higher than the national average for many professions, indicating that local employers are investing heavily in data-driven decision-making. This growth is fueled by the healthcare sector, insurance, and a quiet but steady expansion in the tech service industry.

To give you a clearer picture of how experience plays into your earning potential in Madison, here’s a breakdown based on regional market trends and salary aggregation sites. While the median is your anchor, your starting point and ceiling depend heavily on your skill set.

Experience Level	Est. Annual Salary (Madison, MS)	Est. Hourly Rate (Madison, MS)	Key Responsibilities & Notes
Entry-Level	$58,000 - $68,000	$27.88 - $32.69	Basic SQL queries, Excel reporting, dashboard maintenance (Tableau/PowerBI). Often in support roles for senior analysts.
Mid-Level	$75,000 - $88,000	$36.06 - $42.31	Independent project work, advanced SQL, statistical analysis (R/Python), creating complex dashboards. This is where the median $81,034 falls.
Senior-Level	$90,000 - $105,000	$43.27 - $50.48	Leading projects, mentoring juniors, stakeholder management, predictive modeling. Often requires 5-7+ years of experience.
Expert/Specialist	$110,000+	$52.88+	Niche expertise (e.g., healthcare informatics, cloud data engineering), architecting data systems, director-level tracks.

Insider Tip: In Madison, "full-stack" analysts who can handle everything from data extraction (SQL) to visualization (Tableau/Power BI) and a bit of Python scripting command a significant premium. The 55 jobs aren't just looking for report monkeys; they're looking for problem solvers.

Comparison to Other Mississippi Cities:

• Jackson: The state capital and largest metro. Salaries are slightly higher ($83,000-$86,000 median), but you face a higher commute, more competition, and a less cohesive community feel. For a Data Analyst, Jackson offers more government and corporate headquarters roles (e.g., State of MS, Trustmark Bank).
• Gulfport/Biloxi: Coastal economy, tourism, and gaming. Salaries are comparable to Madison ($79,000-$82,000), but the job market is more seasonal and less diverse. You're tied to the hospitality and gaming industries.
• Oxford: Home to Ole Miss. A small, vibrant college town. Salaries are lower ($70,000-$75,000), but the cost of living is also lower, and there's a strong academic influence on the local job market (research, university IT).

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be real: a salary number is just an abstract figure until you see what it means for your monthly budget. For a Data Analyst earning the median $81,034/year in Madison, here’s a practical breakdown. We’ll estimate taxes conservatively (federal, state, Social Security, Medicare) at about 22% of gross pay, which is a reasonable benchmark for this income level in Mississippi.

Monthly Take-Home Pay:

• Gross Annual Salary: $81,034
• Gross Monthly Salary: $6,752.83
• Estimated Taxes (22%): ~$1,485.62
• Estimated Monthly Take-Home Pay: ~$5,267.21

Now, let's layer in the biggest fixed cost: rent. The average 1-bedroom rent in Madison is $997/month. This is for a decent apartment in a safe, convenient area—think The Township at Madison or complexes off I-55 near the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Person):

• Take-Home Pay: $5,267
• Rent (1BR): $997
• Utilities (Est.): $150 (Electric, Water, Internet)
• Groceries: $350
• Car Payment/Insurance (MS has low insurance rates): $400
• Gas/Transport: $150 (Madison is car-dependent; you'll drive)
• Health Insurance (if not employer-paid): $200
• Miscellaneous (Entertainment, Subscriptions): $300
• Total Expenses: $2,547
• Monthly Savings/Discretionary: $2,720

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With nearly $2,700 in monthly surplus, a home purchase is very attainable. The Cost of Living Index in Madison is 90.7 (US avg = 100), meaning your dollar goes 9.3% further than the national average. The median home price in the Madison area is around $275,000. With a 20% down payment ($55,000), a 30-year mortgage at current rates would have a monthly payment (including taxes and insurance) of roughly $1,400-$1,600. This is well within the budget of a single Data Analyst earning the median salary. Many locals in this profession are homeowners by their early 30s.

Where the Jobs Are: Madison's Major Employers

Madison’s job market for data analysts is anchored in a few key sectors. You won't find the FAANG companies here, but you'll find stable, well-paying employers who deeply value data. Most jobs are located in the Madison County area, with commutes into Jackson for some roles.

1. Madison County School District (MCSD): A massive employer. They have a dedicated data and assessment department. They need analysts to track student performance, resource allocation, and standardized test data. Hiring is cyclical, tied to the school calendar.
2. St. Dominic Hospital / Catholic Health Initiatives: While the main campus is in Jackson, the data and IT hubs for the entire health system are expanding in the Madison/Ridgeland area. They hire analysts for patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial data. This is a huge, stable employer with a strong emphasis on healthcare informatics.
3. Trustmark National Bank (HQ in Jackson, but major presence in Ridgeland): As a major regional bank, Trustmark needs data analysts for risk modeling, customer analytics, and fraud detection. Many of their tech roles are based in Ridgeland, a 10-minute commute from Madison.
4. Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension & Research: While the main campus is in Starkville, the extensive agricultural and economic research programs have offices in Madison County. These roles often involve analyzing agricultural data, economic impact studies, and survey data. It's a niche but rewarding field.
5. State of Mississippi Agencies: Many state agencies (like the Department of Revenue, Department of Human Services) have moved data and IT functions to centralized locations. The Walter Sillers State Office Building in Jackson is a major hub, but satellite offices in the metro area are common. These jobs offer excellent benefits and job security.
6. HealthTech & Insurance Startups: A small but growing cluster of healthcare IT and insurance tech companies has sprung up in the area, often in the Madison/Ridgeland corridor. They look for analysts to support commercial products and customer insights. These roles often offer more equity and a faster-paced environment.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward hybrid work models. It's rare to find a 100% remote or 100% on-site role. Most employers expect you in the office 2-3 days a week, which is the local sweet spot. The demand is strongest for analysts who can bridge the gap between business needs and technical execution.

Getting Licensed in MS

For Data Analysts, Mississippi does not have a state-specific license like an engineer or a CPA. The profession is governed by professional experience and certifications. However, the path to being "licensed" in the eyes of an employer involves specific credentials.

1. Educational Foundation: A bachelor’s degree is the standard entry requirement. Relevant fields include Statistics, Computer Science, Business Analytics, or Economics. Mississippi State University (Ole Miss) and the University of Mississippi have strong programs that feed into the local market.
2. Key Certifications (The "License" for Employers):
   • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate: A popular, low-cost entry point. (Cost: ~$49/month on Coursera).
   • Tableau Desktop Specialist: Highly valued in Madison’s business community. (Exam Cost: $100).
   • Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: Another major player, especially for corporate roles. (Exam Cost: $165).
   • Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): A more advanced, vendor-neutral certification. (Cost: $695 for members, $895 for non-members).
3. Cost & Timeline:
   • Minimal Path: If you have a relevant degree, you can get job-ready with a Tableau/Power BI cert in 1-2 months of part-time study. Cost: $200-$400.
   • Standard Path: For career-changers, a post-baccalaureate certificate or a short bootcamp (like those offered by local community colleges or online) is common. Timeline: 6-9 months. Cost: $5,000 - $12,000.
   • Advanced Path: A master’s degree in Data Science (offered at MSU and Ole Miss) is a significant advantage for senior roles. Timeline: 1.5-2 years. Cost: $20,000 - $40,000.

Insider Tip: The Mississippi State Board of Accountancy doesn't oversee us, but the Mississippi Department of Revenue sometimes hires data analysts for tax data analysis. Check their careers page directly.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Where you live in Madison defines your commute, your social life, and your budget. Madison is small, so "neighborhoods" are often defined by specific developments or proximity to key roads.

Neighborhood/Area	Vibe & Commute	Typical 1BR Rent	Pros for a Data Analyst
Downtown Madison (N. Merchants St.)	Walkable, historic, small-town charm. 5-15 min drive to I-55.	$1,100 - $1,400	Proximity to local coffee shops (like The Trace) for remote work days. Quaint, quiet.
The Township / Madison City Center	Modern, planned community. 2-5 min to I-55.	$1,050 - $1,300	Newer apartments, pools, gyms. Very social for young professionals. 10-min commute to most jobs.
Gluckstadt / Natchez Trace Area	Suburban, family-oriented, more space. 10-15 min to I-55.	$900 - $1,150	More affordable, newer construction. A bit further from the "action" but excellent for those who value space.
Ridgeland (N. Madison St. Corridor)	Commercial, bustling, more diverse dining. 5-10 min to I-55.	$1,000 - $1,250	Closer to a wider variety of restaurants and shopping. Direct commute to Trustmark, St. Dominic.
Flora (North of Madison)	Rural, small-town, very affordable. 15-20 min to I-55.	$750 - $900	For those who want a true country feel and lower rent. Commute is the trade-off.

My Take: For a first-time mover, The Township offers the best balance of convenience, social life, and commute. If you want to feel like you're in a real town and not a strip mall, Downtown Madison is unbeatable.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Madison is a great place to start and grow, but you need a plan. The 36% job growth means there will be more opportunities, but also more competition from new graduates.

• Specialty Premiums: In Madison, the biggest salary bumps come from specialization. The highest premiums are in:

  • Healthcare Informatics: With St. Dominic and the health network, analysts who understand HIPAA, clinical data, and outcomes research can command 10-15% above median.
  • Financial/Actuarial Analysis: For roles at Trustmark or insurance firms, knowledge of risk, regulatory reporting, and financial modeling adds a 15-20% premium.
  • Cloud Data Engineering: As companies move to AWS/Azure, analysts who can also build data pipelines (using tools like Apache Airflow or cloud-native services) become invaluable. This is the fastest-growing skill set.

• Advancement Paths: The typical path is from Analyst -> Senior Analyst -> Analytics Manager/Team Lead. The ceiling in Madison for a pure individual contributor is around $100k-$110k. To break past that, you typically need to move into management or develop a highly specialized niche. Many successful analysts in Madison eventually take roles in Jackson (for higher corporate salaries) or embrace full remote work for national companies while enjoying Madison's quality of life.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 36% growth is strong. Madison will continue to be a data hub for central Mississippi. The key trend will be the integration of AI and machine learning into analyst workflows. Those who stay on the cutting edge of tools like Python (pandas, scikit-learn) and ML platforms will be the most resilient. The local market will remain stable but modest; long-term significant salary growth (beyond $120k) will likely require remote work for a company based in a larger metro.

The Verdict: Is Madison Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent Cost of Living: Your $81,034 salary goes much further than in most US cities.	Limited Job Volume: Only ~55 jobs. You can't be too picky; you may need to commute to Jackson.
Strong Community & Safety: One of the safest cities in Mississippi. Easy to build a network.	Car Dependency: You must drive. There's no meaningful public transit.
Strategic Location: 20 mins to Jackson for more options, 3 hrs to Memphis, 4 hrs to New Orleans.	Limited Nightlife/Scene: It's a family-oriented suburb. For big-city energy, you need to drive to Jackson or New Orleans.
Stable, Growing Market: The 36% growth is real. Employers are investing in data.	Slower Pace: If you crave constant innovation and startup chaos, Madison might feel too quiet.
Homeownership is Attainable: A major financial advantage for building wealth.	Limited Diversity in Industries: Heavily reliant on healthcare, education, and government.

Final Recommendation:
Madison is an excellent choice for Data Analysts who value stability, affordability, and quality of life over the hustle of a major tech hub. It's ideal for early- to mid-career professionals looking to buy a home, start a family, and build a solid career foundation. The median salary of $81,034 is more than sufficient to live comfortably and save aggressively.

However, if your primary goal is to maximize salary above all else and you thrive in a competitive, fast-paced environment with thousands of job options, you might find Madison limiting in the long run. For most, it's a fantastic place to land, grow, and build a life.

FAQs

1. Is it easy to get a job as a Data Analyst in Madison without a local network?
Yes, but it takes strategy. The market is small, so apply directly on company websites (St. Dominic, Trustmark, MCSD). Use LinkedIn to find local analysts and ask for informational interviews. Most hiring is done through direct applications, not recruiters.