National salary comparison — BLS OES 2024-2025 data
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Data Analysts earn a national median of $102,200/year vs Surgeons at $297,800/year. Surgeons earn 191% more nationally. The gap is $195,600 per year — or $16,300 per month.
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Data Analyst
$102,200
national median/year
$8,517/mo • $49/hr
VS
Surgeon
$297,800
national median/year
$24,817/mo • $143/hr
Annual salary gap
$195,600
Surgeons earn 191% more per year nationally. Over 30 years at 7% investment return that gap compounds to approximately $2,217,184.
Best states for Surgeons
vs Data Analysts
Alaska+$223,680
Hawaii+$219,680
New Jersey+$210,680
California+$209,680
Connecticut+$205,680
Best states for Data Analysts
vs Surgeons
Mississippi+$-179,680
Georgia+$-181,680
West Virginia+$-183,680
Arkansas+$-185,680
Louisiana+$-185,680
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Surgeons earn more nationally. The median annual salary for Data Analysts is $102,200 versus $297,800 for Surgeons — a difference of $195,600 per year or $16,300 per month.
The national median salary gap between Data Analysts and Surgeons is $195,600 per year. Surgeons earn 191% more. Over a 30-year career this difference, if invested at 7% annual return, compounds to approximately $2,217,184.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, California pays Data Analysts the highest median salary at $128,320 per year.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, California pays Surgeons the highest median salary at $338,000 per year.
Salary is one factor — Surgeons earn more nationally. But career choice involves job satisfaction, work-life balance, education requirements, and job growth. Business Intelligence Analysts and Surgeons both have different educational paths, licensing requirements, and long-term growth projections. Use salary as a starting point, not the only factor.
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, Data Analysts earn approximately $49 per hour nationally and Surgeons earn approximately $143 per hour. Actual hourly rates vary based on overtime, part-time work, and whether the role is salaried or hourly.
Methodology: Salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024-2025. Figures represent median annual wages for wage and salary workers. Self-employed excluded. Hourly rates calculated at 2,080 hours per year. State salary figures from same BLS OES dataset. Updated annually.