Software 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.
Software Engineer
Design, develop and maintain software systems and applications.
BI Developer
Build dashboards, reports, and data visualisations to support business decisions.
Software Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $36,249/year (36%) higher than a BI Developer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Software Engineer vs BI Developer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Software Engineer | BI Developer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $194,950 | $149,547 | Software +$45,403 |
| New York, NY | $166,830 | $119,905 | Software +$46,925 |
| Seattle, WA | $189,468 | $144,935 | Software +$44,533 |
| Austin, TX | $148,834 | $109,654 | Software +$39,180 |
| Chicago, IL | $149,966 | $103,999 | Software +$45,967 |
| Boston, MA | $176,542 | $133,426 | Software +$43,116 |
| London, UK | £73,942 | £77,839 | Software $3,897 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$126,152 | CA$132,034 | Software $5,882 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Software Engineer or BI Developer earn more?+
A Software Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Software Engineer is $135,980/year, compared to $99,731/year for a BI Developer — a difference of $36,249 (36%).
Which has better career growth — Software Engineer or BI Developer?+
Software Engineer roles are growing at 25% YoY while BI Developer demand is growing at 22% YoY. Software Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Software Engineer to BI Developer?+
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 BI Developer?+
BI Developer has a lower AI automation risk (45% vs 48%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.