Business Intelligence Analyst vs Data Analyst: 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.
Data Analyst
Transform raw data into actionable business insights through analysis and reporting.
Business Intelligence Analyst earns more on average — the national median is $50,560/year (57%) higher than a Data Analyst. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Business Intelligence Analyst vs Data Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Business Intelligence Analyst | Data Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $207,300 | $129,659 | Business +$77,641 |
| New York, NY | $172,390 | $108,724 | Business +$63,666 |
| Seattle, WA | $196,915 | $102,930 | Business +$93,985 |
| Austin, TX | $159,214 | $101,065 | Business +$58,149 |
| Chicago, IL | $153,086 | $92,625 | Business +$60,461 |
| Boston, MA | $179,806 | $113,607 | Business +$66,199 |
| London, UK | £105,924 | £71,596 | Business +$34,328 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$182,284 | CA$116,846 | Business +$65,438 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Business Intelligence Analyst or Data Analyst 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 $88,940/year for a Data Analyst — a difference of $50,560 (57%).
Which has better career growth — Business Intelligence Analyst or Data Analyst?+
Business Intelligence Analyst roles are growing at 20% YoY while Data Analyst demand is growing at 28% YoY. Data Analyst has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Business Intelligence Analyst to Data Analyst?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: SQL, Tableau, Excel.
Which is harder to automate — Business Intelligence Analyst or Data Analyst?+
Data Analyst has a lower AI automation risk (50% vs 62%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.