Salary for Executive-level / Director Data Engineer in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average executive-level / director Data Engineer salary lies between USD 145,100 and USD 244,000 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 15, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Executive-level / Director Data Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with executive-level / director Data Engineer job listings are Engineering, Architecture and SQL. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Engineering | 400 jobs Architecture | 252 jobs SQL | 246 jobs Pipelines | 242 jobs Python | 238 jobs Computer Science | 228 jobs AWS | 202 jobs Security | 198 jobs ETL | 191 jobs Data pipelines | 185 jobs Spark | 163 jobs Agile | 161 jobs Big Data | 155 jobs Data quality | 141 jobs Java | 139 jobs Machine Learning | 131 jobs Azure | 129 jobs Data management | 127 jobs Data governance | 124 jobs Privacy | 122 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Executive-level / Director Data Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with executive-level / director Data Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Startup environment. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 332 jobs Health care | 181 jobs Startup environment | 123 jobs Flex hours | 112 jobs Flex vacation | 100 jobs Equity / stock options | 92 jobs Salary bonus | 89 jobs Insurance | 84 jobs Competitive pay | 73 jobs Wellness | 71 jobs Parental leave | 70 jobs Medical leave | 67 jobs Team events | 61 jobs 401(k) matching | 41 jobs Travel | 12 jobs Transparency | 11 jobs Home office stipend | 10 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 9 jobs Gear | 8 jobs Flexible spending account | 6 jobs

Salary Composition for Executive-Level Data Engineers

The salary for an Executive-level or Director Data Engineer in the United States typically comprises several components. The fixed base salary is the largest portion, often accounting for 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or tied to company profits, usually make up about 10-20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration may include stock options, especially in tech companies or startups, and other benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. The exact composition can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City might offer higher base salaries and more substantial stock options, while smaller companies might compensate with higher bonuses or other perks.

Steps to Increase Salary from This Position

To increase your salary beyond the median of USD 201,050, consider the following strategies:

• Expand Your Skill Set: Acquiring new skills in emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, or cloud computing can make you more valuable.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: Transitioning into a more strategic role, such as a Chief Data Officer, can lead to higher compensation.
• Network and Build Industry Connections: Engaging with industry peers can open up opportunities for higher-paying positions.
• Negotiate Effectively: When offered a new position or during performance reviews, negotiate for higher pay or better benefits.
• Consider Relocation: Moving to a region with a higher cost of living or a more competitive job market can result in higher salaries.

Educational Requirements

Most executive-level data engineering roles require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, engineering, or a related field. However, a master's degree or even a Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that require a deep understanding of complex data systems and algorithms. Advanced degrees can also help in developing leadership skills and strategic thinking, which are crucial for executive positions.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)
• Google Professional Data Engineer
• AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty
• Cloudera Certified Professional (CCP) Data Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate

These certifications can validate your skills in data management, cloud platforms, and big data technologies, making you a more attractive candidate for higher-level positions.

Required Experience

Typically, a director-level data engineering role requires at least 10-15 years of experience in data engineering or related fields. This experience should include a proven track record of managing data teams, designing and implementing data architectures, and leading large-scale data projects. Experience in strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration is also highly valued, as these roles often involve working closely with other departments to align data strategies with business goals.

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