Data Engineer Salary in 2026
Data engineers build and maintain the infrastructure that allows data to flow from sources to analytics platforms. They design data pipelines, warehouses, and ETL processes at scale.
Median Salary
$135,980
$11,332/mo
Entry Level
$83,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$177,000
experienced
Job Growth
+35%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Software Developers (SOC 15-1252, the closest published occupation to Data Engineer) at a national median of $135,980 per year (mean $148,100), or $65.38 per hour, with 1,687,890 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Data Engineer Overview
Data engineers build and maintain the infrastructure that allows data to flow from sources to analytics platforms. They design data pipelines, warehouses, and ETL processes at scale.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
1.7M
5-Year Growth
+26%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$65.38/hr
Monthly Pay
$11,332
Data Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Data Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Data Engineer Salary
$145,000
$12,083/month · $5,577/biweekly · $69.71/hr
Data Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Data Engineer field.
Entry-level Data Engineers earn around $83,000, while the top 10% earn $193,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Data Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $160,000 | +$24,020 |
| New York | $156,000 | +$20,020 |
| Washington | $152,000 | +$16,020 |
| Massachusetts | $152,000 | +$16,020 |
| Texas | $133,000 | $-2,980 |
Top Paying Cities for Data Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San FranciscoBLS metro | $186,640 | +$50,660 |
| SeattleBLS metro | $167,280 | +$31,300 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $166,830 | +$30,850 |
| BostonBLS metro | $166,090 | +$30,110 |
| AustinBLS metro | $134,120 | $-1,860 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Software Developers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Data Engineer Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Data Engineer.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Data Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Data Engineer from entry level to expert.
$83,000
0-2 years
$130,000
3-7 years
$177,000
8-14 years
$209,000
15+ years
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Data Engineer Salary FAQ
How much does a Data Engineer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Data Engineer in the United States is $135,980 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Software Developers (SOC 15-1252); the mean is $148,100. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $83,000, senior professionals around $177,000, and top earners at $209,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Data Engineer?
A Data Engineer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Python, Spark, SQL. Relevant certifications such as Google Cloud Data Engineer or AWS Data Analytics can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Data Engineers?
The job market for Data Engineers is projected to grow by 35% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 1.7M Data Engineer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 26%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Data Engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for Data Engineers include California, New York, Washington. In California, the median salary is approximately $160,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Data Engineer salary?
To increase your Data Engineer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Python and Spark. Pursue certifications such as Google Cloud Data Engineer. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like San Francisco. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $83,000 to $177,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Data Engineer Salary
How we calculate Data Engineer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Software Developers (SOC 15-1252), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $135,980, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Software Developers; BLS mean $148,100; BLS hourly median $65.38.
- Entry-level ($83,000) and senior-level ($177,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +35% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 1,687,890 Software Developers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 26% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Technology sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $135,980; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Data Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Data Engineer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Technology
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Data Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Python, Spark, SQL), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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