Analytics Engineer vs SOC Analyst: 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.
SOC Analyst
Monitor security alerts and respond to incidents in a Security Operations Centre.
Analytics Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $48,085/year (67%) higher than a SOC Analyst. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Analytics Engineer vs SOC Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Analytics Engineer | SOC Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $171,525 | $105,392 | Analytics +$66,133 |
| New York, NY | $147,203 | $140,470 | Analytics +$6,733 |
| Seattle, WA | $173,765 | $101,114 | Analytics +$72,651 |
| Austin, TX | $131,230 | $81,440 | Analytics +$49,790 |
| Chicago, IL | $125,515 | $76,392 | Analytics +$49,123 |
| Boston, MA | $158,382 | $94,913 | Analytics +$63,469 |
| London, UK | £93,991 | £57,665 | Analytics +$36,326 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$163,067 | CA$93,306 | Analytics +$69,761 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Analytics Engineer or SOC Analyst earn more?+
A Analytics Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Analytics Engineer is $120,085/year, compared to $72,000/year for a SOC Analyst — a difference of $48,085 (67%).
Which has better career growth — Analytics Engineer or SOC Analyst?+
Analytics Engineer roles are growing at 38% YoY while SOC Analyst demand is growing at 28% YoY. Analytics Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Analytics Engineer to SOC Analyst?+
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 SOC Analyst?+
SOC Analyst has a lower AI automation risk (35% vs 35%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.