Data Scientist vs Business Intelligence Analyst: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Data Scientist
Analyse large datasets and build predictive models to drive decisions.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Build dashboards and reports to surface KPIs for business teams.
Business Intelligence Analyst earns more on average — the national median is $19,270/year (16%) higher than a Data Scientist. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Data Scientist vs Business Intelligence Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Data Scientist | Business Intelligence Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $176,777 | $207,300 | Data $30,523 |
| New York, NY | $135,980 | $172,390 | Data $36,410 |
| Seattle, WA | $173,186 | $196,915 | Data $23,729 |
| Austin, TX | $130,733 | $159,214 | Data $28,481 |
| Chicago, IL | $132,415 | $153,086 | Data $20,671 |
| Boston, MA | $156,115 | $179,806 | Data $23,691 |
| London, UK | £78,216 | £105,924 | Data $27,708 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$134,265 | CA$182,284 | Data $48,019 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Scientist or Business Intelligence Analyst earn more?+
A Business Intelligence Analyst earns more on average. The national median salary for a Data Scientist is $120,230/year, compared to $139,500/year for a Business Intelligence Analyst — a difference of $19,270 (16%).
Which has better career growth — Data Scientist or Business Intelligence Analyst?+
Data Scientist roles are growing at 36% YoY while Business Intelligence Analyst demand is growing at 20% YoY. Data Scientist has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Data Scientist to Business Intelligence Analyst?+
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 Scientist or Business Intelligence Analyst?+
Data Scientist has a lower AI automation risk (40% vs 62%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.