Data Engineer
Job Demand
growth projected
Work from Home
of roles are remote
Getting In
Some prep needed
Some background helps
Your Timeline
3-6 months
to land your first role
National salary distribution
Annual salary percentiles for Data Engineer roles across the US
Median Salary
$135,000
Top 10% Earn
$185K
Job Growth
+25%
US Employment
150K
Salary by location
Where data engineers earn the most
Certifications that boost this salary
How specific certifications impact earning potential for data engineers
Databricks Certified Data Engineer
Holders earn 15% more on average
Without
$135,000
With cert
$155,250
AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate
Holders earn 15% more on average
Without
$135,000
With cert
$155,250
Key skills
Education
Bachelor's in CS or IT; certifications and experience often valued more than degree level
Want to earn this salary?
See the step-by-step roadmap to becoming a data engineer, including courses, certifications, and timeline.
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, supplemented with Levels.fyi and Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025.