Site Reliability Engineer vs Data Engineer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Site Reliability Engineer
Ensure platform reliability, scalability, and uptime at scale.
Data Engineer
Build and maintain data pipelines, warehouses, and ETL infrastructure.
Data Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $40,370/year (41%) higher than a Site Reliability Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Site Reliability Engineer vs Data Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Site Reliability Engineer | Data Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $142,771 | $202,499 | Site $59,728 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $131,540 | Site $12,150 |
| Seattle, WA | $137,435 | $105,430 | Site +$32,005 |
| Austin, TX | $112,635 | $153,836 | Site $41,201 |
| Chicago, IL | $108,126 | $154,010 | Site $45,884 |
| Boston, MA | $129,849 | $179,962 | Site $50,113 |
| London, UK | £79,751 | £108,711 | Site $28,960 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,006 | CA$181,115 | Site $46,109 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Site Reliability Engineer or Data Engineer earn more?+
A Data Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Site Reliability Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $139,500/year for a Data Engineer — a difference of $40,370 (41%).
Which has better career growth — Site Reliability Engineer or Data Engineer?+
Site Reliability Engineer roles are growing at 27% YoY while Data Engineer demand is growing at 34% YoY. Data Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Site Reliability Engineer to Data 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 — Site Reliability Engineer or Data Engineer?+
Site Reliability Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (35% vs 42%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.