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

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Data Infrastructure Engineer salary lies between USD 145,000 and USD 200,000 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: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

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

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Infrastructure Engineer job listings are Python, AWS and Kafka. 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 | 20 jobs AWS | 18 jobs Kafka | 16 jobs Engineering | 15 jobs Pipelines | 15 jobs Spark | 14 jobs SQL | 14 jobs Kubernetes | 14 jobs Machine Learning | 13 jobs Architecture | 13 jobs Terraform | 13 jobs Data pipelines | 12 jobs GCP | 12 jobs Java | 12 jobs Data warehouse | 11 jobs Privacy | 11 jobs Azure | 10 jobs Snowflake | 10 jobs BigQuery | 9 jobs Streaming | 9 jobs

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

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert Data Infrastructure Engineer job listings are Health care, Career development and Startup environment. 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:

Health care | 14 jobs Career development | 11 jobs Startup environment | 10 jobs Flex hours | 9 jobs Equity / stock options | 8 jobs Parental leave | 7 jobs Flex vacation | 7 jobs Medical leave | 6 jobs Insurance | 6 jobs 401(k) matching | 4 jobs Gear | 4 jobs Home office stipend | 4 jobs Team events | 3 jobs Salary bonus | 3 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 3 jobs Wellness | 2 jobs Competitive pay | 2 jobs Signing bonus | 2 jobs Relocation support | 1 jobs Fertility benefits | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level or Expert Data Infrastructure Engineer typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is often the largest component, making up about 70-80% of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can range from 10-20%, depending on the company's profitability and individual performance metrics. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, can vary significantly based on the company's size and industry. For instance, tech giants and startups in Silicon Valley might offer substantial equity packages, while companies in other regions or industries might provide smaller or no equity options. Larger companies may also offer more comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks, which can add significant value to the overall compensation.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from this position, consider pursuing leadership roles such as Data Infrastructure Manager or Director of Data Engineering. These roles often come with higher compensation due to increased responsibilities. Additionally, specializing in high-demand areas like cloud infrastructure, big data technologies, or machine learning infrastructure can make you more valuable. Networking within industry circles, attending conferences, and contributing to open-source projects can also enhance your visibility and reputation, potentially leading to higher-paying opportunities. Negotiating your salary during performance reviews or when switching jobs is another effective strategy. Demonstrating your impact on the company's bottom line and staying informed about industry salary trends can provide leverage during negotiations.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level Data Infrastructure Engineer positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. However, a master's degree or even a Ph.D. can be advantageous, especially for roles in research-intensive industries or companies that prioritize advanced technical expertise. A strong foundation in computer science principles, data structures, algorithms, and database management is essential. Additionally, coursework or experience in distributed systems, cloud computing, and data engineering can be highly beneficial.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate are highly regarded in the industry. These certifications validate your skills in cloud infrastructure and data engineering, which are critical for data infrastructure roles. Additionally, certifications in big data technologies like Apache Hadoop or Apache Spark can also be valuable, especially if your role involves managing large-scale data processing systems.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level Data Infrastructure Engineer is expected to have at least 5-10 years of experience in data engineering, software development, or a related field. This experience should include a proven track record of designing, implementing, and managing data infrastructure solutions. Experience with cloud platforms, big data technologies, and distributed systems is often required. Additionally, experience in leading projects or teams can be beneficial, as senior roles often involve mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

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