Head to head
Which skill should you learn next? Score both against real job postings.
Power BI
71
scored postings
Demand index
Posted pay (US)
Tableau
49
scored postings
Demand index
Posted pay (US)
Demand index: the larger skill is 100, the other is scaled to it.
The matchup
ShouldApply has scored 6,679 job postings. Power BI appears in 71 of them (1.1%) and Tableau in 49 (0.7%). 10 postings list both, which is 9% of everything that lists either one.
Each bar below uses one ruler for both skills. The leader on a metric gets a gold edge and a Leads label. Pay uses US postings that list a salary, ghost risk is the share of postings with a ghost probability of 50% or higher, and depth is the level (L0 to L5) the scoring engine assigned to the skill when it read the posting, not a stated years-of-experience ask.
Head to head
Power BI has 45% more postings than Tableau.
Scored postings that list the skill.
Tableau postings pay $21K more at the median (20%).
US postings that list pay (16 and 10).
The scoring engine reads Power BI at a deeper level on average, by 0.2 of a level.
Level the scoring engine assigned to the skill, L0 to L5.
Tableau postings are less likely to carry high ghost signals, 23% against 36%.
Share of postings with a ghost probability of 50% or higher.
Power BI postings are flagged remote-friendly more often, 55% against 45%.
Share of postings flagged remote.
Based on 6,679 scored job postings, updated . The pool refreshes every 2 hours from 4 job boards.
Strengths
Where it is used
Role mix
Both skills appear together in 9% of the postings that list either one (10 postings).
Demand over time
Power BI: growing (+57%). Tableau: growing (+120%). Power BI postings: 11 in the newer half of the last 90 days against 7 in the older half. Tableau: 11 against 5.
Counts scored postings by posted date, closed ones included. Change compares the newer half of the window with the older half.
Not sure which skill your resume already shows? Scan your resume
The verdict
Power BI leads on more job openings, deeper scored skill levels, and more remote-friendly roles. Tableau leads on a higher median posted salary and lower ghost risk. Your pick depends on the job you want next, and plenty of postings ask for both (9% of those that list either).
Go deeper on each: Power BI demand and depth and Tableau demand and depth.
The data does not crown one. Power BI appears in 71 scored postings against 49 for Tableau, which is 45% more openings. On pay, Tableau has the higher posted median ($127K against $106K). 9% of postings that list either skill list both, so learning one rarely closes the door on the other.
Tableau has the higher median at $127K from 10 US postings, against $106K for Power BI from 16. The gap is $21K. Pay follows the role and seniority more than the single skill, so check the role pages below.
Yes, and employers often expect it. 10 scored postings list both skills, 9% of every posting that lists either one. Postings that want only Power BI lean toward Data Analyst roles; only-Tableau postings lean toward Data Analyst.
Power BI does, with 71 scored postings (1.1% of everything scored) against 49 (0.7%) for Tableau. Over the last 90 days, Power BI is growing and Tableau is growing by posted date.
Power BI shows up most in Data Analyst postings and Tableau in Data Analyst postings. The scoring engine reads Power BI at an average depth of L1.4 and Tableau at L1.2. Power BI postings carry high ghost signals 36% of the time, Tableau 23%.