Autonomous Systems Engineer vs Analytics Engineer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Autonomous Systems Engineer
Develop perception, planning, and control systems for autonomous vehicles and drones.
Analytics Engineer
Build and maintain the data models and pipelines that power business intelligence.
Autonomous Systems Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $34,601/year (29%) higher than a Analytics Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Autonomous Systems Engineer vs Analytics Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Autonomous Systems Engineer | Analytics Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $227,579 | $171,525 | Autonomous +$56,054 |
| New York, NY | $135,300 | $147,203 | Autonomous $11,903 |
| Seattle, WA | $225,151 | $173,765 | Autonomous +$51,386 |
| Austin, TX | $173,358 | $131,230 | Autonomous +$42,128 |
| Chicago, IL | $166,278 | $125,515 | Autonomous +$40,763 |
| Boston, MA | $196,361 | $158,382 | Autonomous +$37,979 |
| London, UK | £122,075 | £93,991 | Autonomous +$28,084 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$202,448 | CA$163,067 | Autonomous +$39,381 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Autonomous Systems Engineer or Analytics Engineer earn more?+
A Autonomous Systems Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Autonomous Systems Engineer is $154,686/year, compared to $120,085/year for a Analytics Engineer — a difference of $34,601 (29%).
Which has better career growth — Autonomous Systems Engineer or Analytics Engineer?+
Autonomous Systems Engineer roles are growing at 42% YoY while Analytics Engineer demand is growing at 38% YoY. Autonomous Systems Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Autonomous Systems Engineer to Analytics Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Python.
Which is harder to automate — Autonomous Systems Engineer or Analytics Engineer?+
Autonomous Systems Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (20% vs 35%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.