MLOps Engineer 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.
MLOps Engineer
Build and maintain infrastructure for deploying machine learning models at scale.
Data Governance Analyst
Establish and enforce policies for data quality, privacy, and compliance.
MLOps Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $10,190/year (11%) higher than a Data Governance Analyst. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
MLOps Engineer vs Data Governance Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | MLOps Engineer | Data Governance Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $144,519 | $127,235 | MLOps +$17,284 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $104,917 | MLOps +$14,473 |
| Seattle, WA | $139,997 | $102,930 | MLOps +$37,067 |
| Austin, TX | $107,475 | $96,439 | MLOps +$11,036 |
| Chicago, IL | $108,552 | $96,264 | MLOps +$12,288 |
| Boston, MA | $133,124 | $114,991 | MLOps +$18,133 |
| London, UK | £79,867 | £67,745 | MLOps +$12,122 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$130,108 | CA$119,721 | MLOps +$10,387 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a MLOps Engineer or Data Governance Analyst earn more?+
A MLOps Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a MLOps Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $88,940/year for a Data Governance Analyst — a difference of $10,190 (11%).
Which has better career growth — MLOps Engineer or Data Governance Analyst?+
MLOps Engineer roles are growing at 52% YoY while Data Governance Analyst demand is growing at 28% YoY. MLOps Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from MLOps Engineer to Data Governance Analyst?+
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 — MLOps Engineer or Data Governance Analyst?+
MLOps Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 50%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.