Software Engineer vs Business Intelligence Analyst: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Software Engineer
Design, develop and maintain software systems and applications.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Build dashboards and reports to surface KPIs for business teams.
Business Intelligence Analyst earns more on average — the national median is $3,520/year (3%) higher than a Software Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Software Engineer vs Business Intelligence Analyst — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Software Engineer | Business Intelligence Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $194,950 | $207,300 | Software $12,350 |
| New York, NY | $166,830 | $172,390 | Software $5,560 |
| Seattle, WA | $189,468 | $196,915 | Software $7,447 |
| Austin, TX | $148,834 | $159,214 | Software $10,380 |
| Chicago, IL | $149,966 | $153,086 | Software $3,120 |
| Boston, MA | $176,542 | $179,806 | Software $3,264 |
| London, UK | £73,942 | £105,924 | Software $31,982 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$126,152 | CA$182,284 | Software $56,132 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Software Engineer or Business Intelligence Analyst earn more?+
A Business Intelligence Analyst earns more on average. The national median salary for a Software Engineer is $135,980/year, compared to $139,500/year for a Business Intelligence Analyst — a difference of $3,520 (3%).
Which has better career growth — Software Engineer or Business Intelligence Analyst?+
Software Engineer roles are growing at 25% YoY while Business Intelligence Analyst demand is growing at 20% YoY. Software Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Software Engineer to Business Intelligence Analyst?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: SQL.
Which is harder to automate — Software Engineer or Business Intelligence Analyst?+
Software Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (48% vs 62%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.