Product Designer vs BI Developer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Product Designer
Design end-to-end product experiences across digital touchpoints.
BI Developer
Build dashboards, reports, and data visualisations to support business decisions.
Product Designer earns more on average — the national median is $4,269/year (4%) higher than a BI Developer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Product Designer vs BI Developer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Product Designer | BI Developer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $152,323 | $149,547 | Product +$2,776 |
| New York, NY | $124,352 | $119,905 | Product +$4,447 |
| Seattle, WA | $152,056 | $144,935 | Product +$7,121 |
| Austin, TX | $119,558 | $109,654 | Product +$9,904 |
| Chicago, IL | $109,818 | $103,999 | Product +$5,819 |
| Boston, MA | $139,034 | $133,426 | Product +$5,608 |
| London, UK | £83,576 | £77,839 | Product +$5,737 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$134,572 | CA$132,034 | Product +$2,538 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Product Designer or BI Developer earn more?+
A Product Designer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Product Designer is $104,000/year, compared to $99,731/year for a BI Developer — a difference of $4,269 (4%).
Which has better career growth — Product Designer or BI Developer?+
Product Designer roles are growing at 22% YoY while BI Developer demand is growing at 22% YoY. BI Developer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Product Designer 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 — Product Designer or BI Developer?+
Product Designer has a lower AI automation risk (36% vs 45%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.