Career
Are Data Engineers well paid?
7th June 2025

Data engineering is a central component of modern data processing and plays a crucial role in data science. The aim is to prepare and manage data in such a way that it is accessible for analysis and machine learning. A data engineer ensures that large amounts of data can be collected, stored and processed efficiently.
Main tasks of a data engineer
Develop data infrastructure
: Building and maintaining robust data architectures
Design data pipelines
: Automating data extraction, conversion and loading processes (ETL)
Ensure data quality
: Implementing procedures to ensure data integrity
Integration and processing
: using technologies such as SQL, Python, Spark and Kafka to integrate big data
Collaboration with data scientists
: supporting the provision of data for analysis
In Data Engineer jobs, close collaboration with Data Scientists and other IT teams is crucial to lay the foundation for data-driven decisions in organizations.
Salary prospects for data engineers
Data engineer salaries vary greatly depending on experience and geographical location. Newcomers to this profession, also known as Junior Data Engineers, can expect an annual salary of between 45,000 and 55,000 euros. Salary prospects increase considerably as experience grows. Data Engineers with five to ten years' experience can earn salaries of between 70,000 and 100,000 euros. This information was supported by current data analyses.
A significant factor influencing salary figures is geographical location. Salaries tend to be higher in large cities such as Berlin or Munich, which is due to the higher cost of living in these areas. These cities also often have competitive salaries in international comparisons.
Interestingly, the salaries of data engineers also differ in comparison to other tech professions. While web developers, for example, often start with an annual salary of 42,000 to 70,000 euros, starting salaries for data engineers are higher on average. This can be particularly noticeable in the initial phase. This shows that data engineering jobs often offer attractive financial incentives.
To summarize, the salary prospects for Data Engineers are promising. The demand for these specialists is growing steadily and the willingness to pay competitive salaries is high. This makes the profession an attractive choice for anyone looking to establish themselves in the tech sector in the long term.
Career opportunities and available jobs in data engineering
The profession of data engineer currently offers excellent prospects, as many companies are increasingly relying on data-driven decisions. Data engineer jobs are in particularly high demand in sectors such as IT, finance, healthcare and e-commerce. The task is to develop robust data pipelines and infrastructures to make data accessible for analysis and machine learning.
Current data shows that companies are urgently looking for data engineers to implement data strategies efficiently. The demand is high, as many companies are still not exploiting the full potential of data science.
To find data engineer jobs, we recommend the following platforms:
LinkedIn
StepStone
Indeed
Glassdoor
Specialized IT job boards can also be useful for finding a suitable data engineer vacancy. Many companies are looking for talents who are not only technically adept, but who can also think strategically. Dedicated data engineers therefore have excellent opportunities to launch their careers in the technology and start-up scene, especially in tech-savvy cities such as Berlin.
The educational path to becoming a data engineer
Educational background and qualifications
Data engineering is an exciting and growing field in the IT industry. A traditional academic education to become a data engineer is not essential. Many successful professionals have found their way through specialized data engineering bootcamps. These programs offer intensive and practice-oriented training that can often be completed in just a few weeks.
Bootcamps as alternative educational paths
Data engineering bootcamps enable you to acquire extensive knowledge in a short space of time. At neue fische, for example, you will learn how to work with modern technologies such as Python, SQL and data processing tools in such a bootcamp. The focus is on the practical application of the skills learned in real projects. The interactive lessons also provide you with regular feedback, which further accelerates your learning curve.
Courses to deepen your knowledge
In addition to bootcamps, data engineering courses are also an excellent way to deepen your knowledge and keep it up to date. Such courses often cover specialized topics such as big data, cloud computing or database management. The integrative approach of these courses helps to combine theory with practice, which is essential for professional success.
Career prospects and skills
With the skills you acquire, you will be able to develop robust data pipelines and process large amounts of data efficiently. These qualifications are in demand in many industries and can significantly boost your career prospects. The combination of technical knowledge and practical experience will make you a valuable member of any data-oriented team.
Future prospects and growth in data engineering
Data engineering is a dynamic and constantly evolving field that plays a central role in today's data-driven world. With the vast amounts of data that companies generate on a daily basis, the demand for skilled data engineers is ever-increasing. These experts are responsible for designing and maintaining robust systems for data processing and storage.
In the near future, technological developments such as artificial intelligence and machine learning will significantly shape the data engineering landscape. These technologies not only increase the efficiency of data processing, but also open up new opportunities to perform complex data analysis in real time. This places new demands on data engineers, who need to continuously educate themselves to keep up with the latest tools and frameworks.
The role of a data engineer will not only be technical in nature, but will also require strategic thinking. The trend is for data engineers to work closely with decision makers to develop data-driven business strategies. It will therefore be important to further develop skills in communication and problem-solving thinking.
For those looking to specialize in this area, programs such as neue fische's Data Engineering Bootcamp offer comprehensive training opportunities. Participants not only learn the necessary technical skills, but also gain practical experience that will prepare them for a successful career in data engineering.

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