Analytics Engineer vs Database Administrator: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Analytics Engineer
Build and maintain the data models and pipelines that power business intelligence.
Database Administrator
Design, implement, and maintain databases for performance, security, and reliability.
Analytics Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $23,407/year (24%) higher than a Database Administrator. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Analytics Engineer vs Database Administrator — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Analytics Engineer | Database Administrator | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $171,525 | $143,960 | Analytics +$27,565 |
| New York, NY | $147,203 | $113,900 | Analytics +$33,303 |
| Seattle, WA | $173,765 | $137,758 | Analytics +$36,007 |
| Austin, TX | $131,230 | $110,792 | Analytics +$20,438 |
| Chicago, IL | $125,515 | $100,682 | Analytics +$24,833 |
| Boston, MA | $158,382 | $127,909 | Analytics +$30,473 |
| London, UK | £93,991 | £77,179 | Analytics +$16,812 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$163,067 | CA$127,247 | Analytics +$35,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Analytics Engineer or Database Administrator earn more?+
A Analytics Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Analytics Engineer is $120,085/year, compared to $96,678/year for a Database Administrator — a difference of $23,407 (24%).
Which has better career growth — Analytics Engineer or Database Administrator?+
Analytics Engineer roles are growing at 38% YoY while Database Administrator demand is growing at 8% YoY. Analytics Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Analytics Engineer to Database Administrator?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: analytical thinking, communication, and industry knowledge.
Which is harder to automate — Analytics Engineer or Database Administrator?+
Analytics Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (35% vs 42%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.