Site Reliability Engineer vs Data Scientist: 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 Scientist
Analyse large datasets and build predictive models to drive decisions.
Data Scientist earns more on average — the national median is $21,100/year (21%) 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 Scientist — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Site Reliability Engineer | Data Scientist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $142,771 | $176,777 | Site $34,006 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $135,980 | Site $16,590 |
| Seattle, WA | $137,435 | $173,186 | Site $35,751 |
| Austin, TX | $112,635 | $130,733 | Site $18,098 |
| Chicago, IL | $108,126 | $132,415 | Site $24,289 |
| Boston, MA | $129,849 | $156,115 | Site $26,266 |
| London, UK | £79,751 | £78,216 | Site +$1,535 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,006 | CA$134,265 | Site +$741 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Site Reliability Engineer or Data Scientist earn more?+
A Data Scientist earns more on average. The national median salary for a Site Reliability Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $120,230/year for a Data Scientist — a difference of $21,100 (21%).
Which has better career growth — Site Reliability Engineer or Data Scientist?+
Site Reliability Engineer roles are growing at 27% YoY while Data Scientist demand is growing at 36% YoY. Data Scientist has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Site Reliability Engineer to Data Scientist?+
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 Scientist?+
Site Reliability Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (35% vs 40%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.