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The differences between data engineers and database engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a data engineer and a database engineer. Additionally, a data engineer has an average salary of $109,675, which is higher than the $104,648 average annual salary of a database engineer.
The top three skills for a data engineer include python, java and cloud. The most important skills for a database engineer are python, troubleshoot, and java.
| Data Engineer | Database Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $109,675 | $104,648 |
| Hourly rate | $52.73 | $50.31 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 303,105 | 152,951 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 39 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A data engineer is someone who makes data science possible. This IT job requires the search for data set trends and algorithm development to make raw data more beneficial to the enterprise. Data engineers are responsible for establishing and maintaining an environment that permits other data functions. The necessary skills for the job include in-depth knowledge of multiple programming languages and SQL database design. Among the other skills data engineers should develop include data warehousing and architecture, data mining and modeling, and statistical regression analysis.
A database engineer is responsible for maintaining the security of an organization's network databases, preventing unauthorized access and activities, and upgrading data infrastructure. Database engineers manage the volume of stored data, ensuring that the information would not affect the traffic flow and navigation. They also design database according to business requirements and needs, conducting multiple quality checks before releasing the final outputs for high functionality. A database engineer must have excellent technical skills, as well as extensive knowledge of programming languages and database administration, to create efficient system networks.
Data engineers and database engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Engineer | Database Engineer | |
| Average salary | $109,675 | $104,648 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $149,000 | Between $72,000 And $150,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a data engineer and a database engineer in terms of educational background:
| Data Engineer | Database Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between data engineers' and database engineers' demographics:
| Data Engineer | Database Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5% | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.1% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 22.8% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |