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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Business Analyst Salary in Cleveland: $82K Median

Business Analysts in Cleveland, OH earn between $55K and $133K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $88,660 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Business Analyst salary in Cleveland, OH is $81,567 per year — -8% below the US national median of $88,660. Salaries range from $55,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $133,400 (90th percentile). Business Analysts in Cleveland earned approximately $17,732 in 2025, representing 360.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$81,567
+360.0% YoY · $6,797/mo
Entry
$59,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$115,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$133,400
Senior/lead
Business Analyst Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$82K
Columbus
$86K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$78K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$81K
+1% vs Cleveland

Free ATS scan · Cleveland employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Business Analysts in Cleveland

Business analysts bridge business needs and technology, gathering requirements and recommending data-driven improvements.

Core Responsibilities

  • Requirements gathering
  • Process improvement
  • Data analysis
  • Stakeholder communication
  • Documentation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree

In-demand certifications

CBAPCCBASix SigmaPMI-PBA

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Business Analysts

Major employers active in Cleveland or hiring remotely from this metro.

Big 4 consulting
Banks
Insurance
Healthcare systems
Tech companies

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Business Analyst listings.

SQLPower BI/TableauProcess automationAI toolsSix Sigma

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

SQLExcelTableauPower BIrequirements gatheringprocess mappingAgileJIRA
Career Outlook
+11% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

BA roles growing 11%. Data-savvy BAs in highest demand.

Business Analyst Salary Breakdown — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$55,200$81,567$133,400
Monthly$4,600$6,797$11,117
Weekly$1,062$1,569$2,565
Hourly$27$39$64

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($88,660) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Business Analyst Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$61,602.034
Per month$5,134
Biweekly paycheck$2,369
Effective tax rate24.5%

Tax Breakdown on $81,567

Gross salary$81,567
Federal income tax−$9,646.74
Ohio state tax−$2,039.175
Cleveland local tax−$2,039.175
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,239.876
Take-home (net)$61,602.034

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Business Analyst Salary by Experience — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for Business Analysts in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$55,016
2–3 yr$59,800
4–6 yr$87,400
7–10 yr$115,000
11–15 yr$135,700
15+ yr$124,200

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+360.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,732
2026 median:$81,567
Change:+$63,835

Operations sector growth driven by demand for SQL and Power BI/Tableau.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$92,690
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Business Analyst Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $74,152 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

Leverage Points

  • Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved
  • Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums
  • P&L responsibility and headcount managed
  • ERP / automation experience (SAP, NetSuite, Workday, RPA tooling)

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIsPMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursementProfit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP)Relocation package for plant / DC rolesTuition reimbursement (often MBA-eligible)

What To Say

"I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs."

Anchor on $115K–$133K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific SQL/Power BI/Tableau expertise.

Business Analyst Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average Business Analyst salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average Business Analyst salary in Cleveland is $81,567 per year as of April 2026 — $6,797/month, $1,569/week, or about $39/hour. Salaries range from $55,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $133,400 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $81,567 a good Business Analyst salary in Cleveland?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $81,567 a real purchasing power of approximately $92,690 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $81,567 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $81,567 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $81,567 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $81,567 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $81,567 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $81,567 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $81,567 each ($163,134 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $81,567 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $81,567 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Cleveland. Childcare costs in Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Business Analyst in Cleveland?
On a $81,567 Business Analyst salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $61,602.034 per year ($5,134/month, $2,369 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $9,646.74, state $2,039.175, local $2,039.175, FICA $6,239.876. Effective tax rate: 24.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Business Analysts in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
Business Analysts in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($88,660 nationally vs $81,567 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $92,690 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Business Analyst earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level Business Analysts in Cleveland typically start at around $59,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Business Analysts earn $115,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $133,400+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Business Analyst salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — Business Analyst salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $17,732 in 2025 to $81,567 in 2026 (+$63,835). This reflects the broader Operations sector's compensation trend, driven by SQL and Power BI/Tableau demand.
What's the job outlook for Business Analysts in Cleveland?
BA roles growing 11%. Data-savvy BAs in highest demand. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Business Analysts in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Business Analysts are: SQL, Power BI/Tableau, Process automation, AI tools, Six Sigma. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring Business Analysts in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring Business Analysts in or near Cleveland include: Big 4 consulting, Banks, Insurance, Healthcare systems, Tech companies. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Business Analyst salary in Cleveland?
I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs. Key leverage points for Operations negotiations: Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved; Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums; P&L responsibility and headcount managed. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIs, PMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursement, Profit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP), Relocation package for plant / DC roles.
How can I increase my Business Analyst salary in Cleveland?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (SQL, Power BI/Tableau, Process automation) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CBAP or CCBA). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Business Analyst in Cleveland?
Bachelor's degree is the typical path. However, Cleveland's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Operations roles.

Methodology & Sources

Business Analyst salary figures for Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($88,660) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (360.0%) reflects the Operations sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Cleveland

Project Manager →Product Manager →Operations Manager →

Business Analyst Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$82KJacksonville, FL$82KColumbus, OH$86KIndianapolis, IN$82KDetroit, MI$82KMemphis, TN$78KOklahoma City, OK$78KLas Vegas, NV$84K

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