Business Intelligence Analyst vs BI Developer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Build dashboards and reports to surface KPIs for business teams.
BI Developer
Build dashboards, reports, and data visualisations to support business decisions.
Business Intelligence Analyst earns more on average — the national median is $39,769/year (40%) higher than a BI Developer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Business Intelligence Analyst vs BI Developer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Business Intelligence Analyst | BI Developer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $207,300 | $149,547 | Business +$57,753 |
| New York, NY | $172,390 | $119,905 | Business +$52,485 |
| Seattle, WA | $196,915 | $144,935 | Business +$51,980 |
| Austin, TX | $159,214 | $109,654 | Business +$49,560 |
| Chicago, IL | $153,086 | $103,999 | Business +$49,087 |
| Boston, MA | $179,806 | $133,426 | Business +$46,380 |
| London, UK | £105,924 | £77,839 | Business +$28,085 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$182,284 | CA$132,034 | Business +$50,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Business Intelligence Analyst or BI Developer earn more?+
A Business Intelligence Analyst earns more on average. The national median salary for a Business Intelligence Analyst is $139,500/year, compared to $99,731/year for a BI Developer — a difference of $39,769 (40%).
Which has better career growth — Business Intelligence Analyst or BI Developer?+
Business Intelligence Analyst roles are growing at 20% YoY while BI Developer demand is growing at 22% YoY. BI Developer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Business Intelligence Analyst to BI Developer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: SQL, Power BI, Tableau.
Which is harder to automate — Business Intelligence Analyst or BI Developer?+
BI Developer has a lower AI automation risk (45% vs 62%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.