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What is a data center engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

As a data center engineer, you are in charge of ensuring the smooth and maximum functioning of the network information system of a company. You must guarantee the safety and protection of the database to ward off illegitimate access and questionable actions that might pose a threat to the enterprise. You are expected to also examine the navigating server system and carry out frequent sustenance. You should also execute a prompt repair on errors to prevent any setbacks in the operations.

As a data center engineer, you have to direct a crew of people to execute construction mapping, system ranging, and resolution designs. In addition, you must ensure the durability and maximum effectiveness of important facility structures by handling hardware establishments.

For a data center engineer, you must possess at most a bachelor's degree In computer science, electrical engineering, or business. You can at least also earn an associate degree. You must also exhibit outstanding interaction and technical skills. Together with this, you should be able to analyze and provide solutions to issues or problems. You will earn an average of $82,158 annually, which is $39.50 per hour in this role.

What general advice would you give to a data center engineer?

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

Director of Graduate Studies for the Dept. of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington

Look for a job that you would enjoy doing, even if it takes some time to find such a position. Internships are great to explore various options.
ScoreData Center EngineerUS Average
Salary
7.7

Avg. Salary $102,788

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 11.05%

Black or African American 8.59%

Hispanic or Latino 12.29%

Unknown 5.06%

White 62.71%

Gender

female 5.81%

male 94.19%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Data center engineer career paths

Key steps to become a data center engineer

  1. Explore data center engineer education requirements

    Most common data center engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    58.5 %

    Associate

    23.3 %

    Master's

    9.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific data center engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Data Centers7.16%
    Troubleshoot6.65%
    HVAC6.37%
    Linux6.28%
    SAN3.46%
  3. Complete relevant data center engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New data center engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a data center engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real data center engineer resumes.
  4. Research data center engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage vendor replacement of faulty equipment, maintain inventory, activity and procedure documentation on NOC SharePoint site.
    • Create IP ranges and create or edit internal/external DNS using BlueCat IPAM.
    • Automate tasks via bash and python scripts with tools such as awscli, boto library, and jenkins.
    • Install fiber and copper cross connects for routers, switches, network and SAN connections to serves and storage.
  5. Prepare your data center engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your data center engineer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a data center engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable data center engineer resume templates

    Build a professional data center engineer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your data center engineer resume.
    Data Center Engineer Resume
    Data Center Engineer Resume
    Data Center Engineer Resume
    Data Center Engineer Resume
    Data Center Engineer Resume
    Data Center Engineer Resume
    Data Center Engineer Resume
    Data Center Engineer Resume
    Data Center Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for data center engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a data center engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first data center engineer job

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Average data center engineer salary

The average data center engineer salary in the United States is $102,788 per year or $49 per hour. Data center engineer salaries range between $71,000 and $147,000 per year.

Average data center engineer salary
$102,788 Yearly
$49.42 hourly

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Data center engineer reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

talking to people

Cons

outside weather, I work as a network technician and the main problem I always encounter is the cold weather.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

Nothing much but skill and work. Knowledge can take you places.

Cons

Site emissons. Whenever you think about it. I think that's just a fear or problem. Generally speaking. I think the salary should be more than precise as, to it.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019
Pros

Ability to grow learn and develop

Cons

Data techs not willing to learn and grow within the company


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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