Developer Advocate vs BI Developer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Developer Advocate
Bridge the gap between technical products and developer communities.
BI Developer
Build dashboards, reports, and data visualisations to support business decisions.
Developer Advocate earns more on average — the national median is $16,849/year (17%) higher than a BI Developer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Developer Advocate vs BI Developer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Developer Advocate | BI Developer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $166,104 | $149,547 | Developer +$16,557 |
| New York, NY | $141,893 | $119,905 | Developer +$21,988 |
| Seattle, WA | $166,434 | $144,935 | Developer +$21,499 |
| Austin, TX | $126,610 | $109,654 | Developer +$16,956 |
| Chicago, IL | $124,265 | $103,999 | Developer +$20,266 |
| Boston, MA | $150,004 | $133,426 | Developer +$16,578 |
| London, UK | £89,845 | £77,839 | Developer +$12,006 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$151,255 | CA$132,034 | Developer +$19,221 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Developer Advocate or BI Developer earn more?+
A Developer Advocate earns more on average. The national median salary for a Developer Advocate is $116,580/year, compared to $99,731/year for a BI Developer — a difference of $16,849 (17%).
Which has better career growth — Developer Advocate or BI Developer?+
Developer Advocate roles are growing at 18% YoY while BI Developer demand is growing at 22% YoY. BI Developer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Developer Advocate to BI Developer?+
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 — Developer Advocate or BI Developer?+
Developer Advocate has a lower AI automation risk (25% vs 45%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.