Data Engineer vs Data Analyst: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Data Engineer
Build and maintain data pipelines, warehouses, and ETL infrastructure.
Data Analyst
Transform raw data into actionable business insights through analysis and reporting.
Data Engineer 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.
Data Engineer vs Data Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Data Engineer | Data Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $202,499 | $129,659 | Data +$72,840 |
| New York, NY | $131,540 | $108,724 | Data +$22,816 |
| Seattle, WA | $105,430 | $102,930 | Data +$2,500 |
| Austin, TX | $153,836 | $101,065 | Data +$52,771 |
| Chicago, IL | $154,010 | $92,625 | Data +$61,385 |
| Boston, MA | $179,962 | $113,607 | Data +$66,355 |
| London, UK | £108,711 | £71,596 | Data +$37,115 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$181,115 | CA$116,846 | Data +$64,269 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Engineer or Data Analyst earn more?+
A Data Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Data Engineer is $139,500/year, compared to $88,940/year for a Data Analyst — a difference of $50,560 (57%).
Which has better career growth — Data Engineer or Data Analyst?+
Data Engineer roles are growing at 34% YoY while Data Analyst demand is growing at 28% YoY. Data Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Data Engineer to Data Analyst?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Python, SQL.
Which is harder to automate — Data Engineer or Data Analyst?+
Data Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (42% vs 50%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.