Security Engineer vs Analytics Engineer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Security Engineer
Protect systems, networks, and applications from cyber threats.
Analytics Engineer
Build and maintain the data models and pipelines that power business intelligence.
Security Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $9,095/year (8%) higher than a Analytics Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Security Engineer vs Analytics Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Security Engineer | Analytics Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $188,453 | $171,525 | Security +$16,928 |
| New York, NY | $140,470 | $147,203 | Security $6,733 |
| Seattle, WA | $186,157 | $173,765 | Security +$12,392 |
| Austin, TX | $141,154 | $131,230 | Security +$9,924 |
| Chicago, IL | $136,578 | $125,515 | Security +$11,063 |
| Boston, MA | $169,875 | $158,382 | Security +$11,493 |
| London, UK | £103,925 | £93,991 | Security +$9,934 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$169,373 | CA$163,067 | Security +$6,306 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Security Engineer or Analytics Engineer earn more?+
A Security Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Security Engineer is $129,180/year, compared to $120,085/year for a Analytics Engineer — a difference of $9,095 (8%).
Which has better career growth — Security Engineer or Analytics Engineer?+
Security Engineer roles are growing at 32% YoY while Analytics Engineer demand is growing at 38% YoY. Analytics Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Security Engineer to Analytics Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Python.
Which is harder to automate — Security Engineer or Analytics Engineer?+
Security Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (32% vs 35%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.