Data Analyst Salaries in Canada at a Glance: Benchmarks for Beginners
There is no single data analyst salary in Canada because “data analyst” can describe jobs with different responsibilities and occupational classifications. For Database Analysts and Data Administrators (NOC 21223), Government of Canada Job Bank data currently shows wages of $25.00/hour at the low end, $40.87/hour at the median, and $61.03/hour at the high end nationally. In British Columbia, the current median is $43.96/hour. Beginners should treat these figures as occupational benchmarks—not guaranteed starting salaries—and focus on developing practical skills such as SQL, databases, visualization, analytics, and business communication.
If you’re considering data analytics as a new career, salary is naturally part of the equation. But searching data analyst salary Canada can quickly produce wildly different numbers.
There is a reason.
“Data analyst” is used across different occupations and industries, from database-focused positions to business intelligence and operations roles. Job title, location, experience, technical specialization, and employer can all affect earnings.
For students in Surrey considering Cumberland College’s AI for Business Data Analytics Diploma Program, the more useful approach is to look at official wage benchmarks and then understand what can move a career above or below them.
What Is the Average Data Analyst Salary in Canada?
What is the average data analyst salary in Canada? There is no single official average covering every position called “data analyst,” but Government of Canada Job Bank data provides useful benchmarks for closely related occupations.
Cumberland’s diploma identifies NOC 21223 – Database Analysts and Database Administrators as a related occupational category. Job Bank currently reports these national hourly wages:
| Wage level | Canada |
| Low | $25.00/hour |
| Median | $40.87/hour |
| High | $61.03/hour |
These figures were updated in November 2025 and use Statistics Canada’s 2023–2024 Labour Force Survey data.
For British Columbia, Job Bank currently reports a median of $43.96/hour for the same occupational group.
Someone researching data analyst salary in Vancouver should therefore remember that national figures are only a starting point. Local salaries depend on the specific role and employer, and “data analyst” may map to more than one occupational classification.
Exploring this role for the first time? Find out all you need to know about it in our guide on what does a data analyst do.
How Much Can Entry-Level Data Analysts Make in Canada?
How much can entry-level data analysts make in Canada? There is no fixed beginner salary, and an entry-level candidate should not assume they will immediately earn the occupational median.
For NOC 21223, Job Bank’s national low wage is currently $25.00/hour. That can provide useful context for beginners, but even the low wage should not be interpreted as a guaranteed starting rate.
Actual offers for entry-level data analyst jobs in Canada can vary with education, previous experience, industry, location, and the technical demands of the position.
Job Bank says database analysts typically require a bachelor’s degree or college program, usually in computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, or a related area, as well as programming or related experience.
This is why beginners benefit from looking beyond salary alone. A first role can also provide opportunities to develop stronger technical skills, build a portfolio, understand business problems, and gain experience with real organizational data.
What Affects a Data Analyst Salary?
What affects a data analyst salary? Experience, location, occupational specialization, technical ability, industry, and level of responsibility can all influence compensation.
Even related analytics occupations illustrate the difference. Job Bank reports a national median of $40.87/hour for database analysts and data administrators, while the median for an IT-focused business intelligence analyst is $45.13/hour.
So a search for business intelligence analyst salary in Canada may produce different results from a database analyst search because the jobs are not necessarily equivalent.
Responsibilities matter too. Someone building dashboards may need a different skill set from someone designing database architecture, managing data governance, developing automated pipelines, or working with predictive models.
That is why salary comparisons should always start with the actual job description rather than the title alone.
Which Skills Can Help Increase Data Analyst Salary Potential?
Which skills can help increase data analyst salary potential? There is no individual skill that guarantees higher pay, but developing a broader and more technically useful toolkit can prepare candidates for a wider range of analytics roles.
Cumberland College’s 1,060-hour AI for Business Data Analytics Diploma develops practical skills across the data lifecycle, including:
- SQL and relational databases
- Excel and Power Query
- Power BI and Tableau
- Data cleaning and visualization
- Database design and management
- ETL and data warehousing
- Process automation
- Statistical analysis
- Predictive and prescriptive analytics
- Data mining
- Business intelligence
- Professional communication
Students interested in SQL for data analytics, for example, can see why database querying is useful across analytics work. Cumberland’s SQL Programming course covers joins, subqueries, schemas, indexes, stored procedures, triggers, access controls, and query optimization.
Technical skills are only part of the picture. Analysts also need to communicate what the data means. Cumberland’s program includes dashboards, presentations, data storytelling, stakeholder communication, and professional development alongside technical training.
Is Data Analytics a Good Career Path in Canada?
Is data analytics a good career path in Canada? It can be a promising path for people who enjoy working with data, technology, problem-solving, and business decisions, but career prospects depend on the specific analytics occupation and location.
Job Bank currently rates prospects for database analysts and data administrators in British Columbia as Moderate. National prospects vary by province and territory.
Cumberland’s program reflects the breadth of the field. Potential career paths identified by the college include Business Data Analyst, Database Analyst, Database Administrator, Data Warehouse Analyst, Operations & Systems Analyst, Data Mining Specialist, and Business Intelligence Developer.
For beginners, that variety is important. Understanding what a data analyst does is only the beginning; the next step is identifying which part of analytics best matches your strengths.
Salary matters, but so do the skills you build and the direction you choose. Starting with training in databases, SQL, visualization, analytics, AI tools, and communication can provide a foundation for exploring different data-focused roles as your experience grows.
Are you looking for a comprehensive AI for Business Data Analytics Diploma Program?
Contact Cumberland College for more information.
Key Takeaways
- There is no single official data analyst salary in Canada figure covering every job using the title.
- Database Analysts and Database Administrators (NOC 21223) currently earn a national low of $25.00/hour, median of $40.87/hour, and high of $61.03/hour.
- The current median for the same occupational group in British Columbia is $43.96/hour.
- Entry-level candidates should not assume occupational median wages represent starting salaries.
- SQL, databases, visualization, BI, analytics, automation, and communication are among the skills covered by Cumberland College’s diploma.
- Salary can vary considerably depending on location, experience, specialization, responsibilities, and employer.
FAQ
What is the average data analyst salary in Canada?
There is no single official average for every job called “data analyst.” For the related NOC 21223 category of Database Analysts and Database Administrators, Job Bank reports a national median of $40.87/hour, with wages ranging from $25.00 at the low end to $61.03 at the high end.
How much can entry-level data analysts make in Canada?
Pay varies by role, employer, experience, and location. Job Bank reports a national low wage of $25.00/hour for NOC 21223, but this should be treated as an occupational benchmark rather than a guaranteed entry-level salary.
What affects a data analyst salary?
Factors can include experience, location, industry, job responsibilities, technical specialization, education, and the specific occupational category in which the position falls.
Which skills can help increase data analyst salary potential?
There is no guaranteed salary-boosting skill, but SQL, database management, data visualization, business intelligence, analytics, automation, statistical methods, and strong communication can prepare candidates for a broader range of responsibilities and roles.
Is data analytics a good career path in Canada?
It can offer several career directions across database management, business intelligence, operations, reporting, and analytics. Job Bank currently rates prospects for NOC 21223 in British Columbia as Moderate, while prospects vary across Canada.
