DevOps Engineer vs BI Developer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
DevOps Engineer
Automate infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud deployments.
BI Developer
Build dashboards, reports, and data visualisations to support business decisions.
BI Developer earns more on average — the national median is $601/year (1%) higher than a DevOps Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
DevOps Engineer vs BI Developer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | DevOps Engineer | BI Developer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $143,393 | $149,547 | DevOps $6,154 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $119,905 | DevOps $515 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,602 | $144,935 | DevOps $6,333 |
| Austin, TX | $109,601 | $109,654 | DevOps $53 |
| Chicago, IL | $106,405 | $103,999 | DevOps +$2,406 |
| Boston, MA | $130,457 | $133,426 | DevOps $2,969 |
| London, UK | £75,853 | £77,839 | DevOps $1,986 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,262 | CA$132,034 | DevOps +$3,228 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DevOps Engineer or BI Developer earn more?+
A BI Developer earns more on average. The national median salary for a DevOps Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $99,731/year for a BI Developer — a difference of $601 (1%).
Which has better career growth — DevOps Engineer or BI Developer?+
DevOps Engineer roles are growing at 28% YoY while BI Developer demand is growing at 22% YoY. DevOps Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from DevOps Engineer 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 — DevOps Engineer or BI Developer?+
DevOps Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (38% vs 45%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.