The Data Analyst's Guide to Plymouth, Minnesota

As someone who’s watched the Twin Cities’ data scene evolve over the last decade, I can tell you that Plymouth isn’t just another western suburb—it’s a strategically placed hub where healthcare, tech, and retail analytics converge. If you’re a data analyst considering a move here, you’re looking at a market that’s growing faster than the national average, with a cost of living that’s manageable if you know where to look. This guide cuts through the fluff and gives you the local intel you need to make an informed decision.

The Salary Picture: Where Plymouth Stands

Let’s get straight to the numbers. The data paints a clear picture: Plymouth offers a competitive salary for data analysts, slightly above the national average but with a high-growth local market.

The median salary for a Data Analyst in Plymouth is $84,485 per year, translating to an hourly rate of $40.62. This outpaces the national average of $83,360 per year by a modest but meaningful margin. What’s more compelling is the local job market context: there are approximately 155 Data Analyst jobs in the metro area, with a 10-year job growth projection of 36%. That growth rate is significantly higher than many other metro areas and signals sustained demand, particularly from the healthcare and retail sectors that dominate the local economy.

Here’s how salary breaks down by experience level. Note that these are estimates based on local job postings and industry surveys, but they align with the overall median.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Key Local Drivers
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$62,000 - $72,000	Often found in healthcare support roles (Allina, Fairview) or retail analytics (Target, Best Buy HQ). Strong SQL/Excel skills are a must.
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$80,000 - $95,000	This is the sweet spot. Companies like Optum (UnitedHealth Group) and Medtronic seek analysts with Python/R, dashboarding (Tableau/Power BI), and domain knowledge.
Senior-Level (5-8 years)	$100,000 - $120,000	Leadership on projects, advanced modeling, and cross-functional work. Often leads to management tracks.
Expert/Lead (8+ years)	$125,000+	Includes roles like Data Science Manager, Analytics Director. Requires strategic thinking and deep industry expertise, often in medtech or fintech.

How Plymouth Compares to Other Minnesota Cities

Plymouth’s salary is strong when stacked against its neighbors. It’s not the highest-paying city in the state—that title typically goes to Minneapolis or Edina for corporate roles—but it offers a better balance of salary and cost of living than many alternatives.

City	Median Salary (Data Analyst)	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Key Employers
Plymouth	$84,485	104.5	Optum, Medtronic, Target, Fairview
Minneapolis	$87,500	~110	Corporate HQs (3M, General Mills), Tech Startups
St. Paul	$85,200	~108	State Government, 3M, Ecolab
Edina	$86,000	~118	Corporate Consulting, Financial Services
Brooklyn Park	$82,100	~103	Target, Amazon, Manufacturing

Sources: BLS Metro Area Data, local job postings, COLI indices.

As you can see, Plymouth holds its own. You sacrifice a tiny bit of potential top-end salary compared to downtown Minneapolis, but you gain significantly on living costs and commute times.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary is just a number until you see what’s left after the government and your landlord take their share. Let’s run the numbers for a Data Analyst earning the Plymouth median of $84,485.

Assumptions:

• Filing Status: Single, no dependents.
• Taxes: Federal, Minnesota state tax (progressive, ~5.35% for this bracket), FICA (7.65%).
• Rent: Average 1BR rent in Plymouth is $1,201/month.
• Other Deductions: We’ll assume a standard 401(k) contribution of 5% (pre-tax) and health insurance premium of $150/month (post-tax).

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Item	Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$7,040	($84,485 / 12)
Pre-Tax Deductions	-$352	401(k) @ 5%
Taxable Income	$6,688
Taxes (Est.)	-$1,610	Federal (18%), MN State (5.35%), FICA (7.65%)
Post-Tax Income	$5,078
Post-Tax Deductions	-$150	Health Insurance
Net Take-Home Pay	$4,928
Rent (1BR Avg)	-$1,201
Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transport, Savings	$3,727

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the big question. The median home price in Plymouth is around $375,000. With a $4,928 monthly take-home, a standard 20% down payment ($75,000) is a significant hurdle, but not impossible with savings and possibly a dual-income household.

For a $300,000 mortgage (after a $75k down payment on a $375k home), at a current 7% interest rate, your monthly principal and interest payment would be roughly $2,000. Adding taxes, insurance, and PMI (if applicable), you’re looking at $2,400 - $2,600/month.

Verdict: On a single $84,485 salary, buying a median-priced home in Plymouth would be tight, consuming over 50% of your take-home pay. It’s possible but financially stressful. A dual-income household, a lower-priced starter home (condo/townhome in the $250k range), or a few years of aggressive saving for a larger down payment makes homeownership much more feasible.

Where the Jobs Are: Plymouth's Major Employers

Plymouth’s job market is anchored by a few massive employers and a scattering of growing mid-sized firms. The healthcare and tech-medical device sectors are king, but retail analytics is a close second.

1. Optum (part of UnitedHealth Group): This is the 800-pound gorilla. Located just off I-494, Optum has a massive campus in Plymouth and employs thousands in data analytics, health informatics, and software engineering. They are constantly hiring for roles in claims analysis, provider performance, and patient outcome modeling. Insider Tip: They value healthcare domain knowledge. If you have experience with healthcare data (claims, EMR), you’re a prime candidate. They often post roles under "OptumInsight" or "UnitedHealth Group."

2. Medtronic: The global headquarters for this medical device giant is in Fridley, but their sprawling Plymouth campus (near the intersection of 494 and 169) is a major hub for engineering, R&D, and data-driven quality assurance. They seek analysts who can work with complex device data, clinical trial data, and supply chain analytics. Hiring Trend: They are investing heavily in AI/ML for predictive maintenance of devices and patient monitoring data.

3. Target Corporation: While Target's HQ is in Minneapolis, their Technology and Shared Services centers are heavily concentrated in the western suburbs, including Plymouth and Brooklyn Park. They hire data analysts for everything from supply chain logistics and inventory forecasting to digital marketing analytics and store performance. Insider Tip: Look for "Data Analyst II" or "Senior Data Analyst" roles within Target’s Technology division. They use a mix of SQL, Python, and proprietary tools.

4. Fairview Health Services: Based in Minneapolis but with a strong operational presence in Plymouth (including the Fairview Riverside Medical Center), Fairview hires analysts for clinical operations, patient flow optimization, and financial performance. It’s a great place to gain experience in hospital-based analytics.

5. Best Buy: Best Buy’s corporate headquarters is in nearby Richfield, but they have significant tech and analytics teams that recruit from the Plymouth talent pool. They focus heavily on e-commerce analytics, customer behavior, and retail performance metrics.

6. Plymouth-based Tech & Consulting Firms: Don’t overlook smaller players. Firms like RBC Wealth Management (has a major office in Plymouth) and C.H. Robinson (headquartered in Eden Prairie, a short commute) are big employers of analysts. Local IT consulting firms that serve the healthcare sector are also a steady source of contract and full-time roles.

Hiring Trend: The trend is toward analysts who can tell a story with data. It’s not enough to just build a dashboard; you need to explain what the data means for business strategy, patient outcomes, or supply chain efficiency. Companies are also increasingly looking for analysts with cloud data platform experience (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Getting Licensed in MN

Good news: There is no state-specific license required to work as a Data Analyst in Minnesota. The field is unlicensed, unlike professions such as nursing or accounting.

However, professional certifications can significantly boost your employability and salary potential. The most valued in the local market are:

• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera): Great for entry-level candidates. Cost: ~$49/month.
• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: Extremely popular in the corporate and healthcare sectors. Cost: Exam fee ~$165.
• Tableau Desktop Specialist/Certified Associate: Also highly sought after, especially in retail and consulting. Cost: Exam fee ~$100-$250.
• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): A more advanced, vendor-neutral certification. Cost: Exam fee ~$695 for non-members.

Timeline to Get Started:

• If you have a relevant bachelor’s degree (CS, Stats, Business, etc.): You can start applying immediately. Polish your resume and portfolio.
• If you’re career-switching or have a non-technical degree: Plan for a 3-6 month period of upskilling. Complete a foundational certificate (like Google’s) and build 2-3 portfolio projects using public datasets. This will make you competitive for entry-level roles.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Plymouth is a car-centric suburb, but the commute to major employers is generally manageable. Here’s a neighborhood breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For
Downtown Plymouth	Walkable, charming, local shops & restaurants. Easy access to I-494.	$1,300 - $1,500	Those who want a "main street" feel with a short commute to Optum or Medtronic.
East Plymouth (near 169/494)	Convenient, modern apartments, close to major employers. Can be busier.	$1,200 - $1,350	The practical choice for maximum commute efficiency (5-10 mins to Optum, Medtronic).
West Plymouth (near Medicine Lake)	Quieter, more residential, some lake views. Commute adds ~10-15 mins.	$1,100 - $1,250	Those seeking a quieter, more suburban feel with easy access to outdoor activities.
Near-by Brooklyn Park	More diverse, slightly cheaper rent, strong community feel. 15-20 min commute to central Plymouth.	$1,050 - $1,200	Budget-conscious analysts who don’t mind a bit more driving.
West St. Paul (Just South)	Gentrifying, closer to downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. Commute to Plymouth can be 20-30 mins.	$1,100 - $1,300	Those who want city access but a more affordable home base.

Insider Tip: If you’re targeting jobs at Optum or Medtronic, living in East Plymouth is the ultimate convenience. For a more balanced lifestyle with good restaurants and parks, Downtown Plymouth is hard to beat.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Plymouth is an excellent launchpad for a long-term data career, with clear paths for advancement.

Specialty Premiums:

• Healthcare Analytics: This is the biggest premium. Analysts with experience in clinical data, HIPAA compliance, and healthcare KPIs can command salaries 10-15% above the median. This is the domain of Optum and Fairview.
• Supply Chain & Logistics: With Target and C.H. Robinson nearby, expertise in inventory optimization, demand forecasting, and route analytics is highly valued.
• Data Engineering/Architecture: Moving from analysis to building the data pipelines that feed the analysis is a natural and lucrative progression. Learning tools like SQL (advanced), Python (for ETL), and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) is key.

Advancement Path:

1. Data Analyst (0-3 yrs): Master SQL, dashboarding, and basic statistical analysis.
2. Senior Data Analyst (3-6 yrs): Lead projects, mentor juniors, specialize in a domain (e.g., healthcare, retail), and present findings to leadership.
3. Analytics Manager / Data Science Lead (6+ yrs): Shift from doing the analysis to managing the team, setting strategy, and driving business outcomes. May require more advanced statistical modeling or machine learning knowledge.
4. Director of Analytics / VP of Data (10+ yrs): Strategic role, managing budgets, cross-functional collaboration, and long-term data strategy for the organization.

10-Year Outlook: The 36% job growth is not an anomaly. The Twin Cities med-tech and healthcare ecosystem is booming, and Plymouth is at its epicenter. As more companies adopt AI and predictive analytics, the demand for skilled analysts who can bridge the gap between data and business will only grow. The key to staying relevant is continuous learning—especially in cloud data platforms, machine learning basics, and advanced visualization.

The Verdict: Is Plymouth Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, growing job market in high-demand sectors (healthcare, tech, retail).	Car-dependent. Public transit is limited; you'll need a vehicle.
Above-average salary relative to national average, with a reasonable cost of living.	Can be quiet. Lacks the vibrant nightlife and cultural density of Minneapolis.
Excellent work-life balance. Suburban pace, easy access to lakes and parks.	Limited "tech startup" scene. Opportunities are more corporate and established.
Strategic location. Quick commute to Minneapolis/St. Paul for city amenities.	Winters are harsh. Be prepared for snow and cold from November to March.
Family-friendly with great schools and safe neighborhoods.	Rising housing costs. While more affordable than Edina, prices are climbing.

Final Recommendation:
Plymouth is an excellent choice for data analysts at the mid-career stage (3-8 years) who want to specialize in healthcare or retail analytics, value stability over startup chaos, and seek a high quality of life with a manageable commute. It’s also a strong market for entry-level analysts who can break into the healthcare sector.

If you’re a recent graduate looking for a bustling, 24/7 tech hub, you might find Minneapolis more exciting. But if you want a strategic career move where your skills are in high demand, your salary goes further, and you can still enjoy the amenities of a major metro area, Plymouth is a data-driven bet worth taking.

FAQs

Q: Is it necessary to know healthcare terminology to get a job at Optum or Fairview?
A: Not strictly for all roles, but it’s a massive advantage. A "patient readmission rate" or "provider efficiency score" makes more sense if you understand the context. Showing you’ve taken the time to learn basic healthcare metrics (like HEDIS measures) will set you apart in interviews.

Q: How is the commute from Minneapolis to Plymouth?
A: It’s straightforward but can be congested. From downtown Minneapolis, it’s about a 20-25 minute drive via I-394 and I-494 during off-peak hours. Rush hour can push it to 35-45 minutes. Many people make this commute annually.

Q: Are there many remote or hybrid data analyst roles in Plymouth?
A: Yes, especially post-pandemic. Many of the major employers (Optum, Target, Medtronic) offer hybrid models (2-3 days in office). Fully remote roles are less common for entry-level positions but more available for senior and specialized analysts.

Q: What’s the best way to network locally?
A: Join the Minnesota Data Science & Analytics Meetup group (they often meet in the western suburbs). Also, attend industry-specific events hosted by **Tech