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Data Engineer

Modern white structure with glass windows reflecting sky

Build Data Infrastructure

Power Smart Decisions

Solve Technical Challenges

Path to completion

Path to completion

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

4 Semesters

$20k-$60K

Graduate

No degrees available

Post-Graduate

No degrees available

This is the educational pathway. There may be additional tests or licensure requirements necessary before begining to practice in the field. Consult your state guidelines for more. information.

Career Reality

Average Salary
The median annual wage for data engineers is commonly reported between $110,000 and $130,000. Related roles such as database architects earned a median of $134,700.

Job Market Demand
Employment for data-related roles such as database administrators and architects is projected to grow about 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, with strong additional demand driven by growth in big data, cloud systems, and artificial intelligence.

Work Environment
Data engineers work in technology companies, financial institutions, healthcare systems, and large organizations that manage complex data systems. Many roles offer hybrid or remote work.

Common Employers
Technology companies, financial services firms, healthcare organizations, retail companies, consulting firms, and government agencies.

Career Advancement
Advancement may include senior data engineer, data platform architect, data engineering manager, or leadership roles overseeing enterprise data infrastructure.

Career Reality

Average Salary
The median annual wage for data engineers is commonly reported between $110,000 and $130,000. Related roles such as database architects earned a median of $134,700.

Job Market Demand
Employment for data-related roles such as database administrators and architects is projected to grow about 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, with strong additional demand driven by growth in big data, cloud systems, and artificial intelligence.

Work Environment
Data engineers work in technology companies, financial institutions, healthcare systems, and large organizations that manage complex data systems. Many roles offer hybrid or remote work.

Common Employers
Technology companies, financial services firms, healthcare organizations, retail companies, consulting firms, and government agencies.

Career Advancement
Advancement may include senior data engineer, data platform architect, data engineering manager, or leadership roles overseeing enterprise data infrastructure.

Popular Titles


  • • Data Engineer • Big Data Engineer • Cloud Data Engineer • Data Platform Engineer • Data Pipeline Engineer • Analytics Engineer • Data Infrastructure Engineer • Senior Data Engineer • Data Systems Engineer

    • Data Engineer • Big Data Engineer • Cloud Data Engineer • Data Platform Engineer • Data Pipeline Engineer • Analytics Engineer • Data Infrastructure Engineer • Senior Data Engineer • Data Systems Engineer

  • • Data Engineer • Big Data Engineer • Cloud Data Engineer • Data Platform Engineer • Data Pipeline Engineer • Analytics Engineer • Data Infrastructure Engineer • Senior Data Engineer • Data Systems Engineer

    • Data Engineer • Big Data Engineer • Cloud Data Engineer • Data Platform Engineer • Data Pipeline Engineer • Analytics Engineer • Data Infrastructure Engineer • Senior Data Engineer • Data Systems Engineer

  • • Data Engineer • Big Data Engineer • Cloud Data Engineer • Data Platform Engineer • Data Pipeline Engineer • Analytics Engineer • Data Infrastructure Engineer • Senior Data Engineer • Data Systems Engineer

    • Data Engineer • Big Data Engineer • Cloud Data Engineer • Data Platform Engineer • Data Pipeline Engineer • Analytics Engineer • Data Infrastructure Engineer • Senior Data Engineer • Data Systems Engineer

Core Areas of Impact

How your skills translate into meaningful real-world change

Build Data Pipelines

You design systems that collect, process, and organize large datasets.

Build Data Pipelines

You design systems that collect, process, and organize large datasets.

Support Data Teams

You create infrastructure that enables analysts and data scientists to work effectively.

Support Data Teams

You create infrastructure that enables analysts and data scientists to work effectively.

Manage Scalable Systems

You build reliable data systems that support large-scale analytics and applications.

Manage Scalable Systems

You build reliable data systems that support large-scale analytics and applications.

Is this career right for you?

What is the role of a data engineer?
A data engineer designs and manages the systems that collect, store, and organize data for analysis. This includes building data pipelines, maintaining databases, and ensuring data is accessible and reliable for analytics and machine learning.

What does a typical day look like?
A typical day includes building data pipelines, integrating data from multiple systems, managing cloud databases, troubleshooting data issues, and working with data scientists or analysts to support their models and reports.

Where do data engineers work?
Data engineers work in technology companies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, retail companies, consulting firms, and government agencies.

What are the common job titles and career paths?
Common roles include Big Data Engineer and Cloud Data Engineer. Career paths may lead to data architecture, engineering leadership, or enterprise data strategy roles.

Who is this career a good fit for?
This career suits individuals who enjoy programming, systems design, databases, and solving complex technical problems involving large datasets.

What are the biggest rewards of this career?
Rewards include strong compensation, high demand across industries, and the opportunity to build the infrastructure that powers modern data-driven organizations.

What does long-term growth look like?
Long-term growth may include senior engineering roles, data platform architecture, leadership of data engineering teams, or executive roles managing enterprise data strategy.

What is the educational pathway to become a data engineer?
Most data engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in data science, computer science, information systems, or a related technical field. Strong programming skills in languages such as Python or SQL and experience with databases, cloud systems, and distributed data tools are essential.

Sara Schenirer offers a Bachelor’s in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence through St. Peter’s University, which provides training in programming, data systems, machine learning, and analytical problem solving. These skills form a strong foundation for careers in data engineering and large-scale data infrastructure.

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