Data 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.
Data Engineer
Build and maintain data pipelines, warehouses, and ETL infrastructure.
SOC Analyst
Monitor security alerts and respond to incidents in a Security Operations Centre.
Data Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $67,500/year (94%) higher than a SOC Analyst. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Data Engineer vs SOC Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Data Engineer | SOC Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $202,499 | $105,392 | Data +$97,107 |
| New York, NY | $131,540 | $140,470 | Data $8,930 |
| Seattle, WA | $105,430 | $101,114 | Data +$4,316 |
| Austin, TX | $153,836 | $81,440 | Data +$72,396 |
| Chicago, IL | $154,010 | $76,392 | Data +$77,618 |
| Boston, MA | $179,962 | $94,913 | Data +$85,049 |
| London, UK | £108,711 | £57,665 | Data +$51,046 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$181,115 | CA$93,306 | Data +$87,809 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Engineer or SOC Analyst earn more?+
A Data Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Data Engineer is $139,500/year, compared to $72,000/year for a SOC Analyst — a difference of $67,500 (94%).
Which has better career growth — Data Engineer or SOC Analyst?+
Data Engineer roles are growing at 34% YoY while SOC Analyst demand is growing at 28% YoY. Data Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Data 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 — Data Engineer or SOC Analyst?+
SOC Analyst has a lower AI automation risk (35% vs 42%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.