QA 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.
QA Engineer
Design and execute test strategies to ensure software quality.
BI Developer
Build dashboards, reports, and data visualisations to support business decisions.
QA Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $4,569/year (5%) higher than a BI Developer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
QA Engineer vs BI Developer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | QA Engineer | BI Developer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $151,085 | $149,547 | QA +$1,538 |
| New York, NY | $126,759 | $119,905 | QA +$6,854 |
| Seattle, WA | $150,155 | $144,935 | QA +$5,220 |
| Austin, TX | $114,009 | $109,654 | QA +$4,355 |
| Chicago, IL | $115,087 | $103,999 | QA +$11,088 |
| Boston, MA | $133,460 | $133,426 | QA +$34 |
| London, UK | £82,816 | £77,839 | QA +$4,977 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$136,813 | CA$132,034 | QA +$4,779 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a QA Engineer or BI Developer earn more?+
A QA Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a QA Engineer is $104,300/year, compared to $99,731/year for a BI Developer — a difference of $4,569 (5%).
Which has better career growth — QA Engineer or BI Developer?+
QA Engineer roles are growing at 12% YoY while BI Developer demand is growing at 22% YoY. BI Developer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from QA 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 — QA Engineer or BI Developer?+
BI Developer has a lower AI automation risk (45% vs 62%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.