A data engineer is responsible for developing and translating complex computer algorithms into code, as well as maintaining, organizing, and identifying trends in large sets of data. (Payscale.com). Professionals in this field should have skills in SQL database design, high proficiency in making process documentation, strong verbal and written communication skills, and familiarity with Python, Java, Kafka, Hive, and Storm.
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Common data engineer tasks include:
- Aggregate and analyze large data sets to provide actionable insights to company managers.
- Develop dashboards, reports, and tools for business users.
- Devise technical solutions to enhance access to data and data storage.
- Grasp complex data needs and provide advice to the company on the needed technology resources.
Some data engineers may have duties that are similar to computer network architects. They are responsible for designing and building data communication networks and managing the data that those systems use.
The networks they design and administer can range from small connections between a few small offices to the most cutting-edge networking capabilities such as a cloud-based system that services several companies. Computer network architects need to understand the companies business plan and data structure to devise a network that can assist in achieving organizational goals. (BLS.gov)
Data Engineer Salary Outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have salary information for data engineers, but it notes the median salary for database administrators is $90,070 with a range between $50,300 and $138,200. The top industries for database administrators were: (BLS.gov)
- Insurance carriers and related activities: $96,400
- Computer systems design and related services: $95,900
- Data processing, hosting, and related services: $95,500
- Management of companies and enterprises: $94,900
- Educational services: $74,700
For computer network architects, which is related to data engineering, the median salary is $109,000 with a range between $60,300 and $164,000. For professionals who are working mostly in data engineering, you can expect a starting salary in the $60,000 to $70,000 range. (BLS.gov)
Payscale.com
Payscale.com reports the average data engineer salary is $91,600 with a range between $64,000 and $132,000. (Payscale.com). It also reports these company salaries for this position:
- com: $109,000
- Capital One: $98,000
- Facebook: $127,000
- Fidelity Investments: $67,000
- Booz, Allen, and Hamilton: $85,000
- Hartford Financial Services Group: $78,000
- Blizzard Entertainment: $107,000
- Bloomberg: $72,000
Popular skills and corresponding salaries for data engineers are:
- SQL: $90,600
- Python: $92,100
- ETL: $95,500
- Data analysis: $87,200
- Apache Spark: $100,500
Pay for data engineers will generally rise with work experience, although pay tends to decline after year 19 or so:
- Less than one year of experience: $77,400
- One to four years of experience: $86,800
- Five to nine years of experience: $103,300
- 10 to 19 years of experience: $118,500
- 20 years or more of experience: $117,900
Salaries can vary dramatically for data engineers based on the city in which you live:
- San Francisco: +35%
- New York City: +10%
- Seattle: +10%
- Los Angeles: +8%
- Boston: -3%
- Austin: -3%
- Chicago: -7%
Ziprecruiter.com
This website reports the average salary for data engineers is $121,400 with a range between $58,500 and $185,000. Most in this field earn between $95,00 and $141,000. (Ziprecruiter.com)
Indeed.com
Indeed.com reports the average salary for data engineers in the US is $127,168. (Indeed.com)
Salary.com
This website reports the average salary for data engineers is $105,350 with a range between $88,154 and $122,900. (Salary.com)
Job Outlook for Data Engineers
BLS does not have employment data for data engineers, but it notes that employment for database administrators will rise by 9% by 2028, which is faster than average when compared to other occupations. Job growth in this field is caused by the enhanced data needs of organizations in all parts of the US economy. Database engineers and administrators are needed to better organize and present data in advanced ways that make it easier for stakeholders to understand. (BLS.gov)
Database-as-a-service is becoming more popular, which allows database engineering and administration to be accomplished by third parties online. This development could boost employment opportunities for data engineers at large cloud computing corporations in data processing and hosting. Employment in DBAs and data engineers in this area should grow by a healthy 21% by 2028, which is much faster than average.
Employment of data engineers in the computer systems design and related services industries will increase by an impressive 24%. The wider adoption of cloud services by smaller companies that lack their own Internet technology departments will grow the need for data engineers and DBAs in that field.
Average Data Engineer Salary by State
| State | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York - Data Engineer | $64.21 | $133,562 |
| Massachusetts - Data Engineer | $63.75 | $132,601 |
| New Hampshire - Data Engineer | $62.20 | $129,383 |
| Maryland - Data Engineer | $59.17 | $123,074 |
| Hawaii - Data Engineer | $58.89 | $122,495 |
| Connecticut - Data Engineer | $58.72 | $122,140 |
| Alaska - Data Engineer | $58.72 | $122,133 |
| Montana - Data Engineer | $58.72 | $122,133 |
| North Dakota - Data Engineer | $58.72 | $122,133 |
| Wyoming - Data Engineer | $58.72 | $122,133 |
| Nevada - Data Engineer | $58.72 | $122,133 |
| Idaho - Data Engineer | $58.72 | $122,133 |
| Vermont - Data Engineer | $58.56 | $121,808 |
| Nebraska - Data Engineer | $58.45 | $121,571 |
| Washington - Data Engineer | $58.41 | $121,500 |
| Rhode Island - Data Engineer | $57.81 | $120,247 |
| California - Data Engineer | $57.78 | $120,177 |
| Virginia - Data Engineer | $57.49 | $119,583 |
| Arizona - Data Engineer | $56.88 | $118,305 |
| New Jersey - Data Engineer | $56.51 | $117,547 |
| Colorado - Data Engineer | $55.77 | $115,997 |
| West Virginia - Data Engineer | $55.74 | $115,930 |
| Minnesota - Data Engineer | $55.52 | $115,478 |
| Pennsylvania - Data Engineer | $55.51 | $115,470 |
| South Dakota - Data Engineer | $55.49 | $115,427 |
| South Carolina - Data Engineer | $55.41 | $115,258 |
| Tennessee - Data Engineer | $55.20 | $114,810 |
| Delaware - Data Engineer | $55.17 | $114,758 |
| Oregon - Data Engineer | $55.12 | $114,649 |
| Utah - Data Engineer | $54.73 | $113,847 |
| Ohio - Data Engineer | $54.63 | $113,627 |
| Kentucky - Data Engineer | $54.57 | $113,499 |
| Indiana - Data Engineer | $54.26 | $112,851 |
| Oklahoma - Data Engineer | $54.12 | $112,574 |
| Louisiana - Data Engineer | $53.96 | $112,246 |
| Wisconsin - Data Engineer | $53.87 | $112,051 |
| Kansas - Data Engineer | $53.70 | $111,704 |
| Maine - Data Engineer | $53.65 | $111,598 |
| Iowa - Data Engineer | $53.53 | $111,344 |
| Texas - Data Engineer | $52.64 | $109,481 |
| Georgia - Data Engineer | $52.45 | $109,089 |
| Arkansas - Data Engineer | $52.25 | $108,676 |
| New Mexico - Data Engineer | $51.95 | $108,060 |
| Alabama - Data Engineer | $51.57 | $107,256 |
| Michigan - Data Engineer | $51.51 | $107,137 |
| Illinois - Data Engineer | $51.35 | $106,800 |
| Mississippi - Data Engineer | $50.77 | $105,594 |
| Missouri - Data Engineer | $50.25 | $104,520 |
| Florida - Data Engineer | $49.50 | $102,952 |
| North Carolina - Data Engineer | $45.01 | $93,631 |
Source: Ziprecruiter.com, January 2020.
Summary
The demand for data engineers and database administrators is rising impressively as more organizations turn to third-party companies to death with their data needs. Salaries for data engineers according to Payscale.com start at $64,000 and can rise near $100,000 per year. If your interests like in data engineering and management, this could be an excellent career option for the coming years.