Data Governance Analyst vs Analytics Engineer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Data Governance Analyst
Establish and enforce policies for data quality, privacy, and compliance.
Analytics Engineer
Build and maintain the data models and pipelines that power business intelligence.
Analytics Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $31,145/year (35%) higher than a Data Governance Analyst. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Data Governance Analyst vs Analytics Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Data Governance Analyst | Analytics Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $127,235 | $171,525 | Data $44,290 |
| New York, NY | $104,917 | $147,203 | Data $42,286 |
| Seattle, WA | $102,930 | $173,765 | Data $70,835 |
| Austin, TX | $96,439 | $131,230 | Data $34,791 |
| Chicago, IL | $96,264 | $125,515 | Data $29,251 |
| Boston, MA | $114,991 | $158,382 | Data $43,391 |
| London, UK | £67,745 | £93,991 | Data $26,246 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$119,721 | CA$163,067 | Data $43,346 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Governance Analyst or Analytics Engineer earn more?+
A Analytics Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Data Governance Analyst is $88,940/year, compared to $120,085/year for a Analytics Engineer — a difference of $31,145 (35%).
Which has better career growth — Data Governance Analyst or Analytics Engineer?+
Data Governance Analyst roles are growing at 28% YoY while Analytics Engineer demand is growing at 38% YoY. Analytics Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Data Governance Analyst to Analytics Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: SQL.
Which is harder to automate — Data Governance Analyst or Analytics Engineer?+
Analytics Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (35% vs 50%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.