Data Engineer
Build the pipelines, warehouses and infrastructure that move data around a business reliably.
This UK data engineer career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £35,000 - £50,000
- Mid-career salary
- £60,000 - £95,000
- Senior salary
- £100,000 - £150,000+
- Work environment
- Office or remote, deep focus work
- Time to entry
- 2 - 4 years
- Degree required
- Helpful (CS or related) but not strictly required
- Category
- Technology
What a Data Engineer does
Build the pipelines, warehouses and infrastructure that move data around a business reliably.
- Analytics Engineer - Sit between data engineers and analysts - own the modelling layer.
How to become a Data Engineer
- Look up Data Engineer roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Data Engineer - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- SQL
- Python
- Cloud (AWS/GCP/Azure)
- dbt or Airflow
- Data modelling