Data Scientist vs Data Governance 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.
Data Governance Analyst
Establish and enforce policies for data quality, privacy, and compliance.
Data Scientist earns more on average — the national median is $31,290/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 Scientist vs Data Governance Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Data Scientist | Data Governance Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $176,777 | $127,235 | Data +$49,542 |
| New York, NY | $135,980 | $104,917 | Data +$31,063 |
| Seattle, WA | $173,186 | $102,930 | Data +$70,256 |
| Austin, TX | $130,733 | $96,439 | Data +$34,294 |
| Chicago, IL | $132,415 | $96,264 | Data +$36,151 |
| Boston, MA | $156,115 | $114,991 | Data +$41,124 |
| London, UK | £78,216 | £67,745 | Data +$10,471 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$134,265 | CA$119,721 | Data +$14,544 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Scientist or Data Governance Analyst earn more?+
A Data Scientist earns more on average. The national median salary for a Data Scientist is $120,230/year, compared to $88,940/year for a Data Governance Analyst — a difference of $31,290 (35%).
Which has better career growth — Data Scientist or Data Governance Analyst?+
Data Scientist roles are growing at 36% YoY while Data Governance Analyst demand is growing at 28% YoY. Data Scientist has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Data Scientist to Data Governance 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 Data Governance Analyst?+
Data Scientist has a lower AI automation risk (40% vs 50%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.