Data Analyst in Rochester, MN

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Data Analysts considering a move to Rochester, Minnesota.

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The Salary Picture: Where Rochester Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Rochester’s economy is dominated by one sector: healthcare. This creates a unique, stable market for Data Analysts, particularly those with a focus on health informatics, clinical data, and operational efficiency. The median salary here is competitive, especially when you factor in the city’s low cost of living.

Let’s break down the numbers. The median salary for a Data Analyst in Rochester is $81,634/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $39.25/hour. This sits slightly below the national average of $83,360/year, a typical trade-off for living in a smaller, more affordable metro area. The 10-year job growth projection is a robust 36%, and there are currently an estimated 244 jobs in the metro area for this role.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salary progression in Rochester is steady. The table below provides an estimated breakdown based on local job postings and BLS data.

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$58,000 - $70,000
Mid-Level	3-5 years	$75,000 - $90,000
Senior-Level	6-9 years	$95,000 - $115,000
Expert/Lead	10+ years	$120,000+

Comparison to Other Minnesota Cities

Rochester offers a strong value proposition compared to the Twin Cities. While Minneapolis-St. Paul has more jobs and higher top-end salaries, its cost of living is significantly steeper. Rochester’s salary-to-cost ratio is one of its biggest draws.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg = 100)	Key Industries
Rochester	$81,634	93.1	Healthcare, MedTech
Minneapolis-St. Paul	~$88,000	101.5	Finance, Retail, Tech
Duluth	~$72,500	94.2	Logistics, Education

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. A median salary of $81,634 sounds great, but what does it mean for your monthly budget? In Rochester, it means a comfortable life with room for savings.

For a single filer with no dependents, estimated monthly take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes is approximately $4,950 (this can vary based on your W-4 withholdings and benefits).

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Data Analyst Earning $81,634:

• Take-Home Pay (Est.): $4,950
• Average 1BR Rent: -$927
• Utilities & Internet: -$200
• Groceries: -$400
• Transportation (Car/Insurance/Gas): -$450
• Health Insurance (Employer Contribution): -$150 (pre-tax)
• Discretionary/Savings/Retirement: $2,823

This leaves you with a substantial cushion. The city’s low cost of living (93.1 vs. the US average of 100) is the key driver here.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Absolutely. The median home price in Rochester is around $280,000. With a 20% down payment ($56,000), a 30-year mortgage at current rates would result in a monthly payment (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) of roughly $1,600-$1,800. Given the discretionary income above, homeownership is very attainable for a mid-career Data Analyst in Rochester.

Where the Jobs Are: Rochester's Major Employers

Rochester’s job market is not as diverse as a major tech hub, but it is deep and stable. The following employers consistently hire for Data Analyst roles.

1. Mayo Clinic: The city’s largest employer and one of the world’s most renowned medical centers. Mayo’s Center for Digital Health and its Enterprise Data & Analytics team hire hundreds of analysts. They focus on clinical outcomes, patient flow, and operational research. Insider Tip: Knowledge of SQL, Python, and HIPAA compliance is a major advantage here.
2. Olmsted County: The county government has a robust IT and public health analytics department. They work on everything from public health surveillance to social services data. Jobs here are stable and come with excellent benefits.
3. Rochester Public Schools (RPS): RPS employs analysts to track student performance, attendance, and program effectiveness. This is a great path for those interested in education data.
4. IBM (IBM Rochester): While not as large as it once was, IBM still maintains a significant presence in Rochester, focusing on data center operations and some software development. They occasionally hire analysts for internal business operations.
5. Thrivent Financial: A major financial services organization with a large office in Rochester. They hire data analysts for financial planning, client analytics, and marketing data.
6. Local MedTech Startups: Companies like Motus GI and smaller firms in the Mayo Business Incubator are growing. They seek analysts who can wear multiple hats and help drive early-stage product and market data.

Hiring Trends: The demand is strongest for analysts who can bridge the gap between data and clinical/operational decision-making. Certifications in healthcare data (like CPHIMS) or specific EHR systems (Epic) can set you apart.

Getting Licensed in MN

Minnesota does not have a state-specific license for Data Analysts. The field is credential-driven by education, experience, and recognized certifications. However, there are important considerations for working in the state.

• State Requirements: No state license is required. A bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or a related field is the standard entry requirement.
• Key Certifications: While not state-mandated, these are highly valued by local employers:
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Great for entry-level).
  • IBM Data Science Professional Certificate.
  • Certified Analytics Professional (CAP).
  • Health-Specific: For those targeting Mayo or healthcare, the CPHIMS (Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems) is a significant asset.
• Costs: Certification exam costs range from $100 (Google) to $700 (CAP). Many employers, especially Mayo, offer tuition reimbursement for these.
• Timeline to Get Started: If you’re starting from scratch with a new certification, you can expect to spend 3-6 months of dedicated study (10-15 hours/week) to be job-ready for an entry-level role. The job market is less about a specific license and more about demonstrating practical skills with tools like SQL, Tableau/Power BI, and Python/R.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Where you live in Rochester impacts your commute and lifestyle. The city is divided by US-52, with most employers on the western side (near Mayo).

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Downtown	Walkable, urban, near Mayo Clinic. Easy commute if you work there. Older buildings, some new apartments.	$1,000 - $1,300	Young professionals who want to be in the heart of the action.
Northwest Rochester	Quiet, residential, family-oriented. Easy access to US-52. Mostly single-family homes.	$900 - $1,100 (2BR)	Analysts with families or those who want a quieter home base.
Kahler/SE Rochester	Established neighborhoods, close to the Quarry Hill Nature Center. Good mix of rentals and homes.	$850 - $1,050	Those who enjoy parks and a suburban feel with a short commute.
Pill Hill	Historic, near St. Marys Hospital. Very walkable, with charm and older homes.	$950 - $1,200	Professionals who value character and a central location.
Byron (15 min west)	Small-town feel, great schools, lower rents. Commute on US-52 is fast (10-15 min).	$750 - $900	Those seeking a slower pace and more space for the money.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Rochester is an excellent place to build a long-term career, especially in the healthcare analytics niche.

• Specialty Premiums: Analysts with skills in health informatics, clinical data modeling, and Epic EHR reporting command a 10-15% salary premium over generalist analysts. Python and R are less common in the core healthcare system than SQL and BI tools, so mastering those can make you a standout.
• Advancement Paths: A typical path is: Data Analyst → Senior Analyst → Analytics Manager/Team Lead. The ceiling in Rochester is high within the healthcare ecosystem. Many senior leaders at Mayo and Olmsted County started as analysts. The path to a Director of Analytics or Chief Data Officer is realistic with time and proven results.
• 10-Year Outlook: With a 36% job growth projection, the market is expanding. The rise of value-based care, population health management, and operational efficiency in healthcare will fuel sustained demand. Rochester’s reputation as a med-tech hub (bolstered by Mayo’s innovation) ensures the skills you develop here will remain relevant.

The Verdict: Is Rochester Right for You?

Rochester offers a compelling package for Data Analysts who value stability, a low cost of living, and meaningful work in a critical industry.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your salary goes much further than in coastal cities or even the Twin Cities.	Industry Concentration: If you’re not interested in healthcare, options are limited.
Stable Job Market: Dominated by Mayo Clinic, offering recession-resistant roles.	Smaller Tech Community: Fewer meetups, conferences, and pure-tech companies.
High Quality of Life: Safe, clean, with excellent parks and a growing food scene.	Winters: Harsh, long winters with significant snow.
Strong Career Growth: 36% projected job growth in a niche with high demand.	Limited Nightlife: Quieter than a major metropolitan area.

Final Recommendation:
Rochester is an ideal choice for Data Analysts who want a stable, well-paying career with a fantastic work-life balance. It’s perfect for those looking to specialize in healthcare data, buy a home early, and avoid the high-pressure environment of a cutthroat tech hub. It may feel limiting for those seeking a purely tech-focused career or a bustling, 24/7 city vibe.

FAQs

1. How competitive is the job market for an entry-level Data Analyst?
It’s moderately competitive. There are fewer entry-level openings than in a major tech city, but there are also far fewer applicants. Having a portfolio of projects (e.g., on GitHub) and a certification (like the Google Data Analytics cert) will make you a very strong candidate.

2. Do I need to know Epic EHR to get a job at Mayo?
Not necessarily for an entry-level data analyst role, but it is a huge advantage. Many internal postings list it as a preferred qualification. If you’re serious about Mayo, consider taking an online course or seeking a role at a smaller clinic that uses Epic to gain exposure.

3. What’s the commute like in Rochester?
Excellent. The average commute is under 20 minutes. US-52 is the main artery, and traffic is rare. Most Data Analysts live within a 10-15 minute drive of their office. Living in a neighborhood like Northwest or Pill Hill often means a bikeable or even walkable commute to Mayo’s campus.

4. Is the healthcare focus a good long-term bet?
Absolutely. Healthcare data is a growth field nationwide. The skills you learn in Rochester—managing sensitive data, working with large, complex datasets, and translating data into clinical or operational insights—are highly transferable to other health systems or health tech companies.

5. What’s the remote work scene like?
Hybrid models are common, especially at Mayo and Olmsted County. Fully remote roles are less common for local employers, as they value in-person collaboration. However, the rise of remote work has opened up opportunities to work for companies based elsewhere while living in Rochester’s affordable market.

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Sources: Salary data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the Rochester, MN metropolitan area. Cost of living and population data from U.S. Census Bureau and Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). Job growth projections from Minnesota DEED.