How to become a data engineer: Skills, steps, and salary insights
Discover what a data engineer does day to day, and explore the steps you can take to start your data engineering career.
Explore online data engineering courses and programsKey takeaways
- To become a data engineer, you need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, certifications, and hands-on experience building pipelines and managing data systems.
- edX can help you build data engineering skills through courses and certificates in Python, SQL, Databricks, Docker, Kubernetes, Spark, Hadoop, and Snowflake.
- Data engineers earned a median annual salary of $135,980 in 2024, and related database roles are projected to grow 4% from 2024–2034, according to the BLS.
What does a data engineer do?
Data engineers are essential members of any data-driven organization. They design, build, and maintain systems that enable the collection, storage, and processing of vast amounts of data. They may support business analytics or power machine learning models. A data engineer may also collaborate with data scientists and analysts to ensure data quality and accessibility.
Most data engineers work in offices or remotely. However, even remote data engineers may occasionally work with on-site data systems.
Key skills
- Interdepartmental communication
- Knowledge of various programming languages
- Effective database management
- Data pipeline development
- Cloud computing
- Problem-solving
Step-by-step guide to becoming a data engineer
Every person's journey to becoming a data engineer is unique. However, many data engineers earn a bachelor's degree. Completing certifications or gaining hands-on experience can also help you stand out during the job application process.
Many aspiring data engineers take the following steps:
Step 1: Earn a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field
To become a data engineer, start by earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related subject. This formal education will provide the necessary theoretical and technical background knowledge needed to excel as a data engineer.
Step 1: Earn a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field
To become a data engineer, start by earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related subject. This formal education will provide the necessary theoretical and technical background knowledge needed to excel as a data engineer.
Programs that can prepare you for a data engineering role
What do you need to work as a data engineer?
Technical skills
- Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, and/or Scala
- Knowledge of SQL and NoSQLdatabase management
- Experience with data warehousing technologies like Snowflake, BigQuery, and/or Azure Synapse
- The ability to design efficient data models and database schemas
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking: You can extract insights from complex datasets.
- Problem-solving: You have a knack for diagnosing and resolving data-related issues.
- Communication: You enjoy simplifying complex topics for non-technical stakeholders.
- Cross-functional collaboration: You are a team player who can work with analysts, data scientists, and business-minded colleagues.
Required education
- Most data engineering roles require at least a bachelor's degree in information technology or a related discipline.
- Hands-on experience with technical data engineering skills may outweigh your educational background.
- Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree.
Data engineering industry insights
As organizations increasingly rely on scalable data systems, data engineering careers are positioned to grow as well. The BLS projects that jobs for database administrators and architects will grow by 4% from 2024 to 2034. During the same period, computer and information systems managers are projected to see 15% job growth.
Data engineers design and maintain systems used for analytics, AI, and key decision-making across nearly every sector. Organizations need skilled engineers to transform raw data into business intelligence insights, making this career choice exciting, relevant, and relatively future-proof.
The 5 top-paying industries for data engineers
Source: BLS
Explore top data engineer salaries by state
Your salary as a data engineer may vary based on your education level, professional experience, employer, and location. Use the map below to find the highest-paying states for software engineers across the U.S.:
Data engineer career track
Entry-level data engineers typically spend their days building and maintaining data pipelines, managing databases, and auditing datasets. As they advance in their careers, they may also design scalable data architectures, lead teams, and help develop analytics and AI strategies.
Data engineers are in high demand in fields where data drives business decisions, including technology, finance, energy, and healthcare (just to name a few).
Many data engineering positions only require a bachelor's degree. However, some data engineers choose to earn their master's degree in data science, AI, or analytics to qualify for more advanced research and leadership roles.
Below are some examples of data engineering roles you may have throughout your career:
Early career roles
(1-4 years)
- Junior data engineer
- Data analyst (technical)
- Database developer
Mid career roles
(5-10 years)
- Data engineer
- Senior data engineer
- Data architect
Late career roles
(11-15 years)
- Lead data engineer
- Principal data engineer
- Data engineering manager
C-suite roles
(15+ years)
- Chief data officer (CDO)
- VP of data engineering
- Head of data strategy
Ready to advance your career?