2026 Data Engineering Tech Salary Guide

Motion Recruitment's 2026 Tech Salary Guide helps you understand the data engineering job market in the United States. It provides salary details for over 100 job titles and insights into the tech industry. Before starting a job search or data engineering hiring, learn about the current landscape for data engineering professionals.

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IT Salaries and Tech Market Insights for Data Engineering Workers in 2026

Motion’s 2026 IT Salary Guide gives you the info needed to navigate either your tech job search or hiring plans.

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Map Out Your 2026 Strategy for the Data Engineering Hiring Market

with Expert Insights & Salary Data

The tech industry is constantly evolving, and Motion Recruitment’s Tech Salary Guide is designed to help workers and company leaders in data engineering better understand the IT job market in 2026.
 
Data engineering remains one of the most influential and expansive areas within the tech industry, with a substantial number of job postings for data professionals, even during periods of uncertainty in the tech job market.
 
Motion's 2026 Guide examines the latest trends data engineers care about, providing valuable insights and detailed information on starting salaries for some of the most sought-after data engineering positions.

2.9 million

data engineering talent gap

According to Experian, there are expected to be 2.9 million data-related job vacancies globally, highlighting the potential opportunities for qualified data engineering professionals.

$179K

top salary for data engineers

A senior level data engineer can make up to $179K, according to estimates. These numbers can vary based on location and experience.

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Tech Companies Seek Data Engineering Workers

Data engineers continue to be in high demand for businesses both inside and out of the tech industry. Some of the top skills companies are seeking when hiring for data engineers include SQL and database management, data warehousing solutions, ETL skills and big data framework knowledge.

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Q: What Advice Would You Give Tech Job Seekers and Hiring Managers in 2026?

From James Vallone, President of Motion Recruitment

“As artificial intelligence reshapes expectations across the tech industry, leaders are seeking flexible, comprehensive solutions tailored to their unique needs. IT leaders who combine market insights with data-driven decision-making will be best positioned to build teams — and careers — that are ready for what’s next. Staying current on emerging tools and cultivating strong professional networks is essential to driving progress for both organizations and individuals.”

What will I find in Motion's IT Salary Guide?

What tech job data and trends are covered in the guide?
  • The state of tech employment in 2026, with the impact of layoffs, economic conditions, IT job creation and the tech talent shortage.

  • The continuing impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, including a spike in data center construction, the need for upskilling in the tech industry and how AI is evolving the wearables market.

  • Tech hiring and workplace trends, including tech workers heading back to the office and IT workers boomeranging back to previous employers.

  • Advice from market experts on what you can do to succeed in 2026.
What valuable insights into IT salary data can I discover?
  • You will find starting salaries for mid and senior level ranges for over 100 specific job titles across technology areas. There are also city-specific variances included, which you can use to measure the regional salary ranges per tech job.

  • You will see IT salaries for top roles from the most in-demand technology areas: Software, Data & AI, Security, Infrastructure & DevOps, Mobile, Functional, Product & UX and Executive.

 

Data Engineer Salary Demand and Supply Market Insights

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which data engineering job has the highest salary?

The highest paying data engineering jobs tend to be senior level roles concentrated in key tech hubs. According to salary data for 2026, the data engineering salary peaks at the senior level, with top regions offering notable variations.

Nationally, senior Data Engineers earn from $147,000 up to $179,000 in base pay, with slight variances depending on region and company size.

Mid-level Data Engineers typically see salaries between $119,000 and $170,000 depending on location, with remote positions averaging slightly above $122,000 on the low end.

While these ranges underscore the expanding viability of data engineering careers, they also highlight that the highest salaries align with senior experience levels and geographical markets. The demand for scalable data infrastructure contributes to these competitive offerings, marking senior Data Engineering roles as critical to driving an organization’s data strategy and operational efficiency.

Did data engineering salaries increase in 2026?

Data engineering salaries have shown an increase for 2026 compared to previous years. The 2026 figures reflect a general upward trend in compensation for Data Engineers, indicating rising demand and value in the role.

For example, mid-level data engineering salaries in major tech hubs range notably higher than prior market benchmarks. Salaries in San Francisco reach from approximately $148,000 to $186,000, while national mid-level salaries hover between $118,000 and $149,000. Regional variations such as New York and San Jose also report elevated salary bands with mid-level data engineering salaries exceeding $130,000 at the minimum end.

This data underlines the expanding viability and critical impact of data engineering talent as organizations deepen their investments in scalable data infrastructure and AI-driven analytics. The rise in data engineering salary reflects efforts to attract experienced professionals who can manage complex data pipelines and mitigate critical errors within evolving digital ecosystems.

How much can a Data Engineer make in 2026?

Nationally, data engineering salary averages fall between $119,000 and $149,000 at the mid-level, with senior roles earning from $147,000 to $179,000. Remote positions also offer competitive compensation with mid-level salaries ranging approximately from $122,000 up to $153,000, supporting the expanding viability of flexible work arrangements.

This data underscores the significant impact of seniority and market demand on data engineering salary outcomes, reflecting an evolving landscape where skilled professionals enable scalable data solutions and seamless experience in data-driven enterprises.

Is a Data Engineer a high paying job?
The data engineering salary reflects the role’s increasing demand and expanding viability as a high-paying career. Based on market data for 2026, mid-level data engineers nationally earn between approximately $119,000 and $149,500 annually. Senior data engineers command higher compensation, ranging from about $147,000 to $183,500, underscoring the significant impact of advanced expertise in this field.

Salaries vary by region, with major hubs like San Francisco offering some of the highest ranges—mid-level data engineers there can expect $148,000 to $186,000, while senior roles escalate to $183,000 through $233,000. New York and San Jose also exceed national averages, reflecting competition for talent capable of managing scalable data architectures and avoiding critical errors in increasingly complex data ecosystems.

In fact, data engineering salary levels consistently outperform many other IT roles, as organizations prioritize seamless data pipelines that fuel analytics and AI initiatives. While compensation depends on experience and location, the evolving landscape clearly positions data engineering as a financially rewarding career path in technology.
Are Data Engineers still in demand?
Data Engineers remain in strong demand across the technology sector, reflecting their critical role in managing and optimizing data infrastructure that supports analytics, AI, and digital transformation initiatives. The data engineering salary trends for 2026 highlight this demand with competitive compensation packages offered to attract and retain top talent.

Nationally, mid-level Data Engineers earn between approximately $119,000 and $149,500, while senior level compensation ranges from about $147,000 to $179,000. Specific regions with robust tech ecosystems offer even higher salaries—for instance, in San Francisco, mid-level salaries range from $148,000 to $186,000, with senior roles reaching up to $232,000. This illustrates both the expanding viability of the role and the market's recognition of its significance.

Demand remains high as organizations seek expertise to build scalable data pipelines, reduce critical errors, and support seamless data flows essential to AI and data science teams. While compensation varies by geography and experience, the data engineering salary metrics provide clear evidence that this profession holds a valuable and sustainable position in the evolving landscape of tech careers.
How much do Data Engineers make in AI?
Data Engineers working in AI command substantial compensation reflecting their pivotal role in developing data pipelines and infrastructure that fuel AI models and analytics. Based on current market data, the data engineering salary for mid-level professionals nationwide ranges from approximately $119,000 to $149,500. Senior data engineers earn between $147,000 and $179,000 annually.

Regional variances are significant, notably in major tech hubs. For example, San Francisco offers mid-level salaries from $148,000 up to about $186,000, with senior Data Engineers earning from $183,000 to nearly $233,000. Similarly, in San Jose, the range expands to $136,000–$171,000 for mid-level, and $168,000–$215,000 at the senior level. Other cities like New York and Boston also present competitive pay that highlights the expanding viability and strategic importance of data engineers in AI-focused organizations.

The robust data engineering salary landscape mirrors the growing demand for professionals who ensure seamless data operations, improve scalability, and mitigate critical errors in AI systems. As AI adoption accelerates across sectors, the evolving landscape of data engineering roles will likely continue to sustain strong compensation and high market demand.
What are the expected salaries for mid-level and senior level Data Engineers in the USA in 2026?
In 2026, mid-level Data Engineers in the USA can expect to earn between $118,936 and $149,468, while senior level Data Engineers can earn between $147,195 and $179,024.
What is the expected salary range for Database Engineers in the USA in 2026?
In 2026, mid-level Database Engineers in the USA can expect to earn between $126,250 and $151,875, while senior level Database Engineers can earn between $125,588 and $176,800.
What are the salary ranges for mid-level and senior level Data Warehouse Analysts in the USA in 2026?
In 2026, mid-level Data Warehouse Analysts in the USA earn between $136,642 and $149,513, while senior level professionals earn between $153,400 and $182,658.