Data Analyst in Scranton, PA

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Data Analysts considering a move to Scranton, PA.

---

The Salary Picture: Where Scranton Stands

Scranton’s data analytics market sits in a unique position: it’s more affordable than the national average, but the salary potential holds its own. The median salary for a Data Analyst in Scranton is $81,609/year, translating to an hourly rate of $39.24/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $83,360/year, but the cost of living gap makes it a financially savvy choice for many professionals.

Here’s how salaries break down by experience level. Note that these are localized estimates based on Scranton market trends and the provided median.

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range (Scranton)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	$55,000 - $68,000	Data cleaning, basic reporting, SQL querying, supporting senior analysts.
Mid-Level	$72,000 - $85,000	Independent analysis, dashboard creation (Tableau/Power BI), stakeholder communication.
Senior-Level	$85,000 - $105,000	Leading projects, advanced modeling, mentoring, cross-departmental strategy.
Expert/Lead	$105,000+	Team leadership, predictive analytics, architecture design, C-suite presentations.

When compared to other Pennsylvania cities, Scranton offers a compelling balance. While it falls short of the high-cost hubs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it outperforms many smaller PA metros. The key differentiator is the 36% 10-year job growth forecast. This indicates a rapidly expanding need for data skills, likely driven by the region's healthcare and logistics sectors modernizing their operations.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base salary. Many local employers, especially in healthcare and higher education, offer robust benefits packages (pensions, low-cost health insurance) that can add $10,000-$15,000 in annual value.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The $81,609 median salary is a gross figure. To understand what it means for your daily life, let’s break it down for a single person living in a modest one-bedroom apartment.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Data Analyst at Median Salary)

• Gross Monthly Income: $6,801
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$1,650
• Take-Home Pay: ~$5,151
• Average 1BR Rent (Scranton Metro): $854/month
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transport, Savings: $4,297

This is an exceptionally strong position. With $4,297 left after rent and taxes, you have substantial room for savings, debt repayment, or discretionary spending. The Cost of Living Index for Scranton is 93.0 (US avg = 100), meaning your money goes about 7% further here than the national average.

Can you afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With a take-home pay of over $5,000 monthly and median home prices in the Scranton area hovering around $200,000 - $250,000, a standard 20% down payment is achievable within a few years of disciplined saving. A 30-year mortgage on a $225,000 home would cost roughly $1,200 - $1,400/month (including taxes and insurance), which is still a manageable portion of your income.

Where the Jobs Are: Scranton's Major Employers

Scranton’s job market for data analysts is anchored by a few key sectors: healthcare, education, logistics, and public administration. The metro area supports 151 data analyst positions, a number that’s growing steadily.

1. Geisinger Health System: A massive employer across Northeastern PA. They have a huge need for analysts in electronic health records (EHR), patient outcomes, and operational efficiency. Their "Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine" also hires analysts for research.
2. The University of Scranton: A Jesuit university that employs analysts for enrollment management, financial aid, alumni relations, and institutional research. Stable, benefits-heavy employer with a strong academic environment.
3. Nordstrom (Scranton Fulfillment Center): This is a major logistics and e-commerce hub. They hire analysts for supply chain optimization, inventory forecasting, and customer data analysis. Expect fast-paced, retail-driven metrics.
4. Lackawanna County Government: The county and the City of Scranton employ analysts for budgeting, public works data, health department statistics, and community planning. These roles often involve public-facing data and grant reporting.
5. Amazon (Lehigh Valley Logistics): While technically in the Lehigh Valley, this is a primary commute for many Scranton residents. The massive warehouse network is a voracious consumer of data analysts for logistics, robotics, and workforce management.
6. Siemens (Siemens Healthineers): With a significant presence in nearby Hazelton (a short drive), Siemens Healthineers manufactures medical devices and hires analysts for R&D data, quality control, and manufacturing efficiency.
7. Scranton Area School District: A large K-12 system that uses data for student performance tracking, budget allocation, and state reporting compliance.

Hiring Trend Insight: The shift toward remote and hybrid work has opened Scranton-based analysts to roles with Philadelphia or New York companies while enjoying the local cost of living. However, local in-office roles are most abundant in healthcare and public sector, where data sensitivity often requires on-site presence.

Getting Licensed in PA

A critical point for Data Analysts: Pennsylvania does not have a state-specific license for the title "Data Analyst." The field is largely credential- and experience-based, not licensed.

However, for career advancement, certain certifications hold significant weight and are recognized by employers statewide.

• Key Certifications (Industry Standard):
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate: Excellent for entry-level, recognized by many PA employers.
  • Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: Highly valued for business intelligence roles in healthcare and corporate settings.
  • Tableau Desktop Specialist/ Certified Data Analyst: Another major BI platform used across Scranton's larger employers.
• Cost & Timeline:
  • Certifications range from $100 - $400 for the exam fees.
  • Study time is typically 2-4 months for an experienced professional, or 4-6 months for someone new to the field.
  • Many local community colleges (like Luzerne County Community College or Johnson College) offer continuing education courses that prepare you for these exams at a lower cost than private bootcamps.

Insider Tip: For roles in federal contracting or government (like Lackawanna County), you may need to be "cleared" for certain data sets, which involves a background check, not a professional license.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

Living in Scranton means choosing between historic city neighborhoods and quieter suburbs. The average commute in the metro is 20-25 minutes, making most areas very accessible.

Neighborhood/Area	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent
Downtown Scranton	Walkable, urban, historic. Close to Geisinger, City Hall, and restaurants. Best for those who want a vibrant, car-optional lifestyle.	$900 - $1,200
Green Ridge	Classic, residential, and family-friendly. Close to The University of Scranton. Very safe, quiet, with easy access to downtown and the Target corridor.	$850 - $1,050
Clarks Summit	A borough just north of Scranton, offering a more suburban feel with excellent schools. Popular with young professionals and families. A short commute to Nordstrom's facility.	$950 - $1,150
South Side/Dickson City	More affordable, mixed-use, with easy highway access (I-81). Good for analysts commuting to the logistics hubs in the Lehigh Valley.	$750 - $950
Mount Airy / Taylor	Quiet, residential neighborhoods with lower rents. A good option for those working at Geisinger or Siemens who want a peaceful home base.	$700 - $900

Personal Insight: If you work at Geisinger or downtown, Green Ridge is the sweet spot for a balance of walkability and space. For those in logistics or commuting to the Lehigh Valley, South Side/Dickson City offers the best value and highway access.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 36% 10-year job growth statistic is your most important indicator. This means Scranton is moving from a traditional manufacturing/retail economy to a more tech-enabled one. Your growth path will likely involve specialization.

Specialty Premiums (Estimated Salary Add-Ons):

• Healthcare Analytics (EHR/BI): +10-15% over generalist roles. High demand at Geisinger.
• Supply Chain/Logistics Modeling: +10-12%. Critical for Nordstrom and Amazon commuters.
• Public Sector & Grant Data: +5-8%. Stable, but requires understanding of federal reporting standards.

Advancement Path:

1. Junior Analyst (1-2 yrs) -> Data Analyst (2-4 yrs) -> Senior Analyst (4-6 yrs)
2. Specialization: Choose a vertical (Healthcare, Education, Logistics).
3. Leadership: Move into Data Manager, Analytics Lead, or Business Intelligence Architect roles. At this level (often $100k+), you may be managing teams or leading cross-departmental initiatives.
4. Consulting: With experience, you can offer freelance services to the many small-to-mid-sized businesses in Scranton that lack in-house data teams.

10-Year Outlook: The demand will shift from basic reporting to predictive and prescriptive analytics. Professionals who can combine data skills with domain knowledge (e.g., understanding hospital revenue cycles or logistics networks) will see the fastest growth and highest salaries.

The Verdict: Is Scranton Right for You?

Scranton offers a rare blend of affordability, growing opportunity, and quality of life for Data Analysts. It’s not a tech mecca like Austin or Boston, but it’s a pragmatic, stable market where your skills are increasingly valued and your salary goes far.

Pros	Cons
High purchasing power due to low cost of living (Index 93.0)	Smaller job market (151 jobs) compared to major metros
Strong 10-year growth (36%) in a stable region	Salaries are slightly below the national average ($81,609 vs $83,360)
Diverse employer base (Healthcare, Ed, Logistics, Public Sector)	Limited networking events compared to larger cities
Manageable commutes (avg 20-25 mins)	Fewer "prestige" tech companies, but plenty of essential ones
Quality of life with low stress, outdoor access, and a genuine community feel	Winters can be long and gray; cultural scene is modest

Final Recommendation: Scranton is an excellent choice for data analysts who prioritize work-life balance and financial stability over chasing the highest possible salary. It’s ideal for mid-career professionals, families, or anyone looking to escape the high-cost grind of coastal cities without sacrificing career growth. For entry-level analysts, it’s a fantastic place to build experience with tangible impact, especially in healthcare or public sector data.

FAQs

Q: How competitive is the job market for Data Analysts in Scranton?
A: It’s moderately competitive. With 151 jobs in the metro, you won’t see the frantic application pace of a major tech hub. Employers value local candidates or those with a genuine interest in settling in the region. Tailoring your resume to the local industries (healthcare, logistics) is key.

Q: Do I need a car in Scranton?
A: For most Data Analyst roles, yes. While downtown is walkable, most employers (Geisinger, Nordstrom, Siemens) are in suburban or industrial parks with limited public transit. A reliable car is a near-necessity for commuting and accessing amenities.

Q: What’s the tech stack I should know?
A: SQL is non-negotiable. Beyond that, focus on Power BI (dominant in healthcare and corporate) and Tableau (common in education and government). Python/R are valuable for mid-to-senior roles, especially in logistics modeling. Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets are still used daily in nearly every office.

Q: Can I work remotely for a company outside PA?
A: Absolutely. Many Scranton residents work remotely for Philadelphia, New York, or national companies. The local internet infrastructure (via Comcast and Verizon) is generally reliable in residential areas. This allows you to potentially earn a coastal salary while enjoying Scranton’s cost of living.

Q: What’s the best way to network locally?
A: Attend meetings of the Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Chamber of Commerce or the Data/Analytics meetup groups that occasionally form around the University of Scranton or local tech forums. LinkedIn is also powerful—search for alumni from the University of Scranton working in data roles. The community is small and word travels fast.