Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Engineer in United Kingdom during 2023

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Engineer salary lies between USD 98,432 and USD 147,648 in the United Kingdom. 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: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Data Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Engineer job listings are Python, Engineering and SQL. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 3304 jobs Engineering | 3209 jobs SQL | 3062 jobs Pipelines | 2762 jobs AWS | 2324 jobs Spark | 2201 jobs Architecture | 2187 jobs Data pipelines | 2051 jobs ETL | 1996 jobs Big Data | 1735 jobs Computer Science | 1696 jobs Agile | 1650 jobs Java | 1525 jobs Azure | 1447 jobs Airflow | 1335 jobs Kafka | 1274 jobs Machine Learning | 1263 jobs Security | 1223 jobs Scala | 1184 jobs GCP | 1177 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Data Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 2566 jobs Health care | 1375 jobs Flex hours | 1294 jobs Startup environment | 1121 jobs Team events | 915 jobs Flex vacation | 861 jobs Competitive pay | 821 jobs Equity / stock options | 780 jobs Parental leave | 706 jobs Salary bonus | 703 jobs Insurance | 688 jobs Medical leave | 506 jobs Wellness | 482 jobs 401(k) matching | 358 jobs Home office stipend | 246 jobs Fitness / gym | 195 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 184 jobs Gear | 141 jobs Conferences | 116 jobs Relocation support | 103 jobs

Salary Composition for Senior Data Engineers in the UK

The salary for a Senior Data Engineer in the UK typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance-based bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The fixed base salary is the largest component, often accounting for 70-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, ranging from 10-20% of the base salary. In tech companies or startups, stock options or equity can also form a significant part of the compensation, especially in high-growth sectors. Larger companies might offer more comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and other perks, which can add substantial value to the overall compensation.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Senior Data Engineer Position

To increase your salary from a Senior Data Engineer position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialize in High-Demand Skills: Focus on acquiring expertise in niche areas such as machine learning engineering, big data technologies, or cloud computing, which are highly valued in the market.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: Transition into roles that involve team leadership or project management, as these positions often come with higher pay.
• Industry Transition: Consider moving to industries that offer higher compensation for data engineering roles, such as finance, healthcare, or tech giants.
• Geographic Mobility: Be open to relocating to regions within the UK or abroad where salaries for data engineers are higher.
• Continuous Learning and Certification: Keep updating your skills and obtaining relevant certifications to stay competitive and justify salary increments.

Educational Requirements for Senior Data Engineers

Most Senior Data Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, or a related field. However, a master's degree or even a Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that require advanced analytical skills or research capabilities. A strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, and programming is essential, and coursework in data structures, algorithms, and database management is highly beneficial.

Helpful Certifications for Data Engineers

Certifications can enhance your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some valuable certifications include:

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

These certifications validate your skills in specific technologies and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Experience Required for Senior Data Engineers

Typically, a Senior Data Engineer is expected to have 5-10 years of experience in data engineering or related fields. This experience should include hands-on work with data pipelines, ETL processes, data warehousing solutions, and big data technologies. Experience in leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with cross-functional teams is also highly valued.

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