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Big Data Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Big Data Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Big Data Engineer in the United States is $140,807 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

However, a Big Data Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,665
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $127,226 to $148,061
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,861
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Big Data Engineer Salaries

A Big Data Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Big Data Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Big Data Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $100,351
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $122,156
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $140,273
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $163,679
  • Expert (over 8 years): $183,526
Levels Salary
Database ... Level Big Data Engineer$100,351
Database ... Level Big Data Engineer$122,156
Big Data ... Level Big Data Engineer$140,273
Database ... Level Big Data Engineer$163,679
Database ... Level Big Data Engineer$183,526
View as Graph

How Do Big Data Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Big Data Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $155,902.
  • California: $155,310.
  • Massachusetts: $153,240.

Top Paying Cities for Big Data Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $177,600
  • San Francisco: $175,655
  • Oakland: $171,954

What Skills Can Increase a Big Data Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 15.84% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Visualization (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): Data visualization is viewed by many disciplines as a modern equivalent of visual communication. It involves the creation and study of the visual representation of data. To communicate information clearly and efficiently, data visualization uses statistical graphics, plots, information graphics and other tools. Numerical data may be encoded using dots, lines, or bars, to visually communicate a quantitative message. Effective visualization helps users analyze and reason about data and evidence. It makes complex data more accessible, understandable and usable. Users may have particular analytical tasks, such as making comparisons or understanding causality, and the design principle of the graphic (i.e., showing comparisons or showing causality) follows the task. Tables are generally used where users will look up a specific measurement, while charts of various types are used to show patterns or relationships in the data for one or more variables.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 15.84%
Data Visualization 2.09%
Economics 1.51%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Big Data Engineer's salary.

  • Supply Chain: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Supply Chain $147,847
5%
Innovation $146,439
4%
Decision Making $146,439
4%
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Big Data Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Big Data Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Big Data Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Big Data Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Big Data Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$211,210$102.050%

Big Data Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Big Data Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$127,226
Average $140,807/year
$148,061
$10,602
Average $11,734/month
$12,338
$2,447
Average $2,708/week
$2,847
$61
Average $68/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,061 $12,338 $2,847 $71
Average $140,807 $11,734 $2,708 $68
25th Percentile $127,226 $10,602 $2,447 $61

Most common benefits for Big Data Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Big Data Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Big Data Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Big Data Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Big Data Engineer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Big Data Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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