Salary for Senior-level / Expert Data Engineer in United Kingdom during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Engineer salary lies between USD 63,437 and USD 109,512 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: Feb. 16, 2025

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 Engineering, Python 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 | 8809 jobs Python | 8409 jobs SQL | 8243 jobs Pipelines | 7457 jobs AWS | 5827 jobs Data pipelines | 5736 jobs ETL | 5647 jobs Architecture | 5497 jobs Spark | 5259 jobs Computer Science | 4829 jobs Big Data | 4331 jobs Azure | 4301 jobs Agile | 3981 jobs Security | 3816 jobs Machine Learning | 3581 jobs Java | 3334 jobs Data quality | 3331 jobs GCP | 3155 jobs Airflow | 3153 jobs Snowflake | 3029 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 6855 jobs Health care | 3681 jobs Flex hours | 2968 jobs Team events | 2175 jobs Startup environment | 2101 jobs Competitive pay | 2040 jobs Equity / stock options | 1910 jobs Flex vacation | 1700 jobs Salary bonus | 1698 jobs Insurance | 1546 jobs Parental leave | 1469 jobs Medical leave | 1272 jobs Wellness | 964 jobs 401(k) matching | 841 jobs Fitness / gym | 421 jobs Gear | 374 jobs Home office stipend | 350 jobs Transparency | 346 jobs Conferences | 294 jobs Relocation support | 292 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 bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The fixed base salary is the largest component, often accounting for 70-85% of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, ranging from 10-20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration might include stock options, especially in tech companies or startups, and benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and paid leave. The composition can vary by region, with London-based roles often offering higher salaries to account for the cost of living. Larger companies may offer more comprehensive benefits packages, while startups might compensate with equity options.

Steps to Increase Salary from a Senior Data Engineer Position

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

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in emerging technologies such as cloud computing, big data frameworks, and machine learning. Specializing in high-demand areas can make you more valuable.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a Data Engineering Manager or Head of Data Engineering, which typically offer higher salaries.
• Industry Shift: Consider moving to industries that pay higher salaries for data engineering roles, such as finance, healthcare, or tech.
• Networking and Visibility: Increase your professional visibility by speaking at conferences, publishing articles, or contributing to open-source projects. This can lead to better job offers.
• Negotiation: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher pay during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

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 Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles that require advanced analytical skills or research capabilities. Some employers may also consider candidates with equivalent practical experience in lieu of formal education.

Helpful Certifications for Data Engineers

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your credentials and demonstrate expertise:

• AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty: Validates your ability to design and implement big data services on AWS.
• Google Professional Data Engineer: Demonstrates proficiency in designing, building, and operationalizing data processing systems on Google Cloud Platform.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate: Focuses on implementing data solutions using Azure services.
• Cloudera Certified Professional (CCP) Data Engineer: Recognizes advanced skills in data engineering using Cloudera's platform.

Experience Required for Senior Data Engineer Roles

Typically, a Senior Data Engineer role requires 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, and big data technologies. Experience with cloud platforms, programming languages like Python or Java, and database management systems is also crucial. Leadership experience or project management skills can be beneficial for senior roles.

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