Why BLS has no data engineer pay series
The federal occupation system has no code called data engineer. BLS sorts these workers into existing codes, and the best fit is database architects (SOC 15-1243). O*NET lists Data Engineer among the job titles workers in that code have reported, next to Data Architect and Database Developer. The match is close but not exact. The series covers every database architect in the country, in banks, insurers, universities and software firms. It does not single out people building data pipelines for AI teams. Treat it as a baseline for the wider occupation, not a figure for AI specialists alone.
BLS describes database architects as people who design and build new databases, model them from an organization's requirements, write the data architecture and fold in existing systems. That overlaps heavily with what data engineers do. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook gives a May 2025 median of $139,500 for the group. The figures in this guide move that May 2025 data forward to 2026 using the Employment Cost Index. The index showed wages and salaries for civilian workers up 3.1 percent in the 12 months to September 2026.
BLS figures against job ad figures
The two sources answer different questions. BLS shows what employers across the country actually paid people in the occupation, from small firms to state agencies. AutomationRoles.ai ads show the pay ranges employers posted for data engineer roles on this board on 5 November 2026. We took the midpoint of each range. There were 31 ads from 26 employers, so the sample is small. It also leans toward large AI and technology companies, which pay more than average.
The ads show base salary only. At large tech employers, stock and bonus can add a lot on top of base, and none of that shows up here. The ad median of $195,000 sits about $51,000 above the BLS median. Most of that gap reflects which employers post on an AI job board. Treat it as a picture of the high end of the field, not a market average.
What moves a data engineer's pay
Industry matters. Among database architects, BLS reports May 2025 medians of $148,680 in computer systems design and $147,890 in publishing, broadcasting and content providers. Computer systems design is also the largest employer, with 23 percent of database architect jobs. Finance and insurance and publishing each account for 15 percent. Location matters too. In the 2026 BLS-based figures, California's median is $175,500 and Massachusetts's is $166,700, against $101,500 in Mississippi.
Seniority and scope push pay up. BLS notes that database architects can move up to computer and information systems managers, a much higher-paid series. Within the role, the pay gap between the 10th and 90th percentiles is wide: in May 2025 the bottom 10 percent of database architects earned under $86,240 and the top 10 percent over $204,000. Employer size also counts. The large AI and tech firms behind most job ads on this board post base ranges well above the national median.
Education and credentials
No license exists for data engineering, and no regulator oversees the job. BLS says database administrators and architects typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field. It adds that some employers prefer a master's degree focused on data or database management. BLS also lists SQL as core knowledge for the group.
Software vendors and vendor-neutral bodies offer certifications. BLS notes that some employers require certification in the products they use. A certification shows you know a platform. Nothing in the BLS data ties it to a specific pay increase or a job offer.
Pay
USD a year, before tax. US figures. The BLS rows use the OEWS May 2025 database architects series, moved to 2026 with the Employment Cost Index. BLS has no data engineer series, so this is the nearest match and covers the whole occupation. The job ad rows are midpoints of US dollar pay ranges in 31 live AutomationRoles.ai data engineer ads from 26 employers on 5 November 2026. These ads lean toward large AI and technology employers and show base pay, without stock or bonus. Refer to the Data & AI Engineers salary guide for figures from live adverts.
What you need
- LicenseNo license exists for data engineering, and no regulator oversees the job. Vendor certifications are optional.
- EducationBLS says database administrators and architects typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers prefer a master's.
- Core skillBLS lists SQL as core knowledge. You also need whatever programming language your employer uses.
- CertificationVendors and vendor-neutral bodies offer certifications. BLS notes that some employers require them for the products they use.
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Questions people ask
What is the median data engineer salary in the US?
BLS does not publish one, since it has no data engineer series. The closest series, database architects, gives a 2026 median of about $143,900 after the May 2025 data is moved forward with the Employment Cost Index. Data engineer ads on AutomationRoles.ai show a median base of $195,000.
Why are job ad salaries higher than BLS figures?
The ads on this board lean toward large AI and technology employers, and those firms pay above the national average. BLS counts everyone in the occupation, including people at universities, insurers and government agencies. The ad sample is also small, with 31 ads from 26 employers.
Do these figures include stock and bonus?
No. The job ad figures are base salary midpoints, and they leave out equity and bonuses. At large tech companies those can add a lot to total pay.
Which states pay data engineers the most?
Using the BLS database architects series moved to 2026, California has a median of $175,500 and Massachusetts $166,700. Virginia ($165,400) and Arizona ($161,000) also sit well above the $143,900 national median.
Does a certification raise data engineer pay?
BLS data shows no set pay increase for any certification. BLS notes that some employers require certification in the products they use, so a certification can help you qualify for those roles. It does not guarantee a job or a raise.
