Data Engineer Salary Trends in India 2024: What to Expect

Data engineering has emerged as one of the most in-demand roles in the tech sector. As businesses increasingly depend on big data for decision-making and infrastructure development, the need for Data Engineers is climbing. In 2024, this career is projected to offer attractive salaries and promising growth prospects across different industries. This blog examines salary trends for Data Engineers in India for 2024, highlighting variations based on experience, employment types, and the top companies hiring for these positions.

Introduction: The Growing Demand for Data Engineers

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Data engineering has become one of the most sought-after roles in the tech industry. With companies increasingly relying on big data to drive decisions and build infrastructure, the demand for Data Engineers continues to rise. By 2024, this profession is expected to offer lucrative salaries, with growth opportunities across various industries. This blog explores salary trends for Data Engineers in India in 2024, covering experience levels, employment types, and the key companies hiring.

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Salary Overview for Data Engineers in India (2024)

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As of 2024, Data Engineers in India are earning attractive salaries due to the high demand for their skills across sectors such as IT, e-commerce, and finance. The average salary for a Data Engineer in India is around ₹8,75,600 per year, which equates to ₹72,965 per month.

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However, salaries vary significantly based on experience, skill set, and the company's hiring.

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Salary Breakdown by Experience Level:

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1. Entry-Level (0-3 years)

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Junior Data Engineers, typically those just starting their careers, earn between ₹3,42,700 and ₹5,00,000 per year. Despite being at the beginning of their career, these professionals command a solid salary compared to other tech roles, thanks to the high demand for basic data management skills in industries like retail, e-commerce, and healthcare.

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Freshers proficient in data engineering tools such as SQL, Python, and ETL pipelines can expect competitive offers from companies that need foundational data infrastructure work done.

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Skills required: SQL, Python, data warehousing, basic knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure).
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Companies hiring: startups, entry-level positions at TCS, Wipro, Infosys.

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2. Mid-Level (4-9 years)

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As Data Engineers accumulate more experience, their ability to work on more complex projects grows, and so do their salaries. Mid-level engineers often work on designing and managing large-scale data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and implementing data lakes and data warehousing solutions. These professionals typically earn up to ₹12,18,983 per year.

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At this stage, Data Engineers often take on leadership roles in teams, mentor junior engineers, and are involved in more strategic decisions regarding data management.

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Skills required: Advanced SQL, data modeling, cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure), Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, Kafka.
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Industries: e-commerce, IT services, finance, and fintech.
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Companies hiring: Amazon, Flipkart, Paytm, Deloitte, Accenture.

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3. Senior-Level (10+ years)

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Senior data engineers are responsible for architecting large-scale, complex data systems, often working as Data Architects or Engineering Leads. They not only manage data pipelines but also design solutions that scale across entire organizations, implementing strategies for data governance, security, and disaster recovery. With over a decade of experience, these professionals can earn anywhere between ₹13,74,700 and ₹20,00,000 per year.

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Senior Data Engineers are also often tasked with collaborating with other departments, such as data science and business intelligence, to provide strategic insights.

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Skills required: Expertise in data architecture, advanced cloud services (AWS, GCP), distributed systems, data governance, and management.
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Industries: Fintech, e-commerce, large IT services, banking, and manufacturing.
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Companies hiring: Microsoft, Google, IBM, Walmart Labs, Goldman Sachs.

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Must Read: From Beginner to Expert: Essential Skills and Responsibilities for Data Engineers

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Data Engineer Salary by Employment Type

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Full-Time Employees

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Full-time data engineers in India often benefit from stable salaries, additional perks like health insurance, bonuses, and stock options. Large companies such as Amazon, Flipkart, Infosys, and TCS typically offer full-time roles with career development programs, ensuring structured growth paths.

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The average salary for full-time data engineers in India is around ₹8,56,643 per year, with higher pay scales in tech hubs like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. Experience and skill set significantly influence salaries:

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Entry-Level (0-3 years): Freshers can expect to earn between ₹4,00,676 and ₹5,00,000 annually.
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Mid-Level (4-9 years): Professionals in this category earn between ₹7,37,000 and ₹12,18,983 annually.
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Senior-Level (10+ years): Experienced engineers at senior levels or those working with niche technologies can make ₹15,00,000 to ₹20,00,000 annually, with top tech firms offering even higher packages.

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Contract-Based Professionals

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Contract-based roles often offer flexibility and potentially higher hourly rates, especially for those with expertise in specialized tools like AWS, Google Cloud, and Apache Spark. Contract workers are typically hired for specific projects, which makes this a lucrative option for data engineers with niche skills.

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The salary for contract-based data engineers varies widely, depending on project complexity and the company. Many freelancers and contract workers earn more than full-time employees. While detailed figures are harder to pin down, top freelancers with highly sought-after skills can charge significantly higher hourly rates, leading to annual incomes surpassing ₹15,00,000 to ₹25,00,000

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Key Companies Hiring Data Engineers in India (2024)

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India's booming tech and e-commerce sectors have made it a hotbed for Data Engineer recruitment. Some of the top companies actively seeking Data Engineers in 2024 include:

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E-commerce & Fintech: Firms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Paytm rely heavily on data to optimize customer experiences and personalize recommendations. Data Engineers in these companies are well compensated, with salaries often exceeding the industry average.
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Consulting and Tech Giants: Companies like Deloitte, Wipro, Accenture, and TCS consistently hire Data Engineers to help manage and structure large datasets, design data architectures, and build scalable pipelines. These companies offer competitive salaries and benefits packages.
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Also Read: Top Free and Open Source Data Engineering Tools on Github

Factors Affecting Data Engineer Salaries

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Several key factors contribute to these salary variations:

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Skill Set: Proficiency in specific tools and platforms (such as Hadoop, Spark, AWS services, Kafka, and Terraform) significantly affects salaries. The more specialized and up-to-date a professional's knowledge is, the more they are likely to earn.
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Certifications: Professionals with certifications like AWS Certified Data Analytics, Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, or Microsoft Azure Data Engineer can often negotiate higher salaries due to the industry recognition of these credentials.
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Company Size and Industry: Large tech companies and multinational corporations, such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, often pay higher salaries compared to smaller startups. Additionally, industries like finance and fintech tend to offer higher pay due to the complexity and regulatory requirements of managing financial data.
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Location: Salaries for Data Engineers vary across different cities in India. Bangalore leads the pack with the highest average salary, followed by Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi NCR. Professionals in Bangalore can expect higher compensation due to the concentration of tech startups and established companies in the city.

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Also Read: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring Data Engineers in India

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Future Outlook: What to Expect in 2024 and Beyond

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The future looks bright for Data Engineers in India, with salaries expected to grow as demand continues to surge. The expanding use of AI and machine learning, along with a focus on building more robust data pipelines, will lead to increased salaries and more job opportunities.

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Growth in Freelance and Remote Opportunities

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The shift toward remote work has opened up new opportunities for freelance Data Engineers. As more companies turn to contract-based roles to meet specific project needs, the gig economy is expected to offer higher compensation, particularly for engineers with specialized skills.

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Conclusion: Is Data Engineering a Lucrative Career in 2024?

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In conclusion, 2024 is shaping up to be an excellent year for Data Engineers in India. Whether employed full-time or working as contract professionals, Data Engineers can expect competitive salaries, job security, and numerous opportunities for career advancement. As data becomes even more integral to business operations, the value of Data Engineers will only continue to rise.

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If you are looking for a job or hire the best Data Engineer for your organisation, checkout DataTeams. DataTeams is a platform that connects Data Engineers with top companies looking to hire pre-vetted talent.

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