Q: Do data engineers code?

Yes, data engineers code. They are expected to be well-versed in several coding languages such as Python, Perl, and other common programming languages. Because data engineers predominantly work with data concepts and some fashion of coding, many outside the industry often confuse them for software engineers. Both engineers can work with coding languages and data concepts, but data engineers tend to utilize coding to help analyze the data being presented.

Q: Is data engineering a good job?

Yes, data engineering is a good job with growth potential. The data engineering industry offers convenience, higher average salaries, and scalable industry growth. Due to the nature of a data engineer's job, many can work from remote locations such as a home office, satellite location, or a location designated by their client. Many can set schedules according to project deadlines and the needs of the rest of their team but can often find flexibility in their daily schedules if they need to.

Q: Is it hard to become a data engineer?

Yes, it is hard to become a data engineer. Data engineers need to have a strong portfolio, relevant background experience, the ability to understand how data analysis and development work together.

Question 1

Data Architect vs. Data Engineer

Accepted Answer

A data architect is a tech professional who designs the vision and plan for a company's data framework, while a data engineer is tasked with implementing a data architect's vision.

A data architect is tasked with formulating the organizational data strategy. They also seek to define the data management standards and principles that a company uses. Data architects design data blueprints that other data colleagues adhere to and implement.

Question 2

Data Engineer vs. Data Analyst

Accepted Answer

A data engineer is an IT professional who conceptualizes and builds platforms that gather, manage, and analyze data, while a data analyst scrutinizes numeric data and uses it to help companies make certain decisions.

Question 3

Do data engineers code?

Accepted Answer

Yes, data engineers code. They are expected to be well-versed in several coding languages such as Python, Perl, and other common programming languages.

Because data engineers predominantly work with data concepts and some fashion of coding, many outside the industry often confuse them for software engineers. Both engineers can work with coding languages and data concepts, but data engineers tend to utilize coding to help analyze the data being presented.

Question 4

Is data engineering a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, data engineering is a good job with growth potential. The data engineering industry offers convenience, higher average salaries, and scalable industry growth.

Due to the nature of a data engineer's job, many can work from remote locations such as a home office, satellite location, or a location designated by their client. Many can set schedules according to project deadlines and the needs of the rest of their team but can often find flexibility in their daily schedules if they need to.

Question 5

Is it hard to become a data engineer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is hard to become a data engineer. Data engineers need to have a strong portfolio, relevant background experience, the ability to understand how data analysis and development work together.

Question 6

What is the career path for a data engineer?

Accepted Answer

The career path for a data engineer includes jobs as a data engineer, software engineer, and business intelligence analyst.

As you advance along this career path, you might move into more senior roles like a data manager, data architect, solutions architect, or machine learning engineer.

Question 7

What should I study to become a data engineer?

Accepted Answer

If you want to become a data engineer, study one or more of the following:

Computer science
Applied sciences
Applied mathematics
Computer or software engineering

Question 8

What skills are required for a data engineer?

Accepted Answer

Data engineers are required to have the following skills and aptitudes:

Programming languages such as Python or Java
Computer science foundations
Analytics
Databases
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and other domain/web services
SQL and databases
Security and governance
Collaboration
Cloud services
Machine learning
Operating systems
DevOps
Creativity
Streaming
Containers

Question 9

Data Engineer vs. Software Engineer

Accepted Answer

A data engineer is an IT professional who conceptualizes and builds platforms that gather, manage, and analyze data, while a software engineer is an IT professional that creates software applications for computers and mobile devices.

Question 10

Data analyst vs. Data engineer

Accepted Answer

A data analyst analyzes numeric data and uses it to help companies make better decisions while a data engineer develops, constructs, and tests data.

A data analyst's primary skill set revolves around data acquisition, handling, and processing. A data analyst is more focused on pre-processing and data gathering as well as representing that data via reporting and visualization tools. It is important for a data analyst to have a deep understanding of data cleaning, data conversion, and data modeling.

Question 11

Do data engineers make a lot of money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, data engineers make a lot of money. Data engineers' average salary is approximately $121,000 a year. Factors to consider when analyzing the salary of a data engineer include location, education, and experience level.

Question 12

Where do data engineers get paid the most?

Accepted Answer

Data engineers get paid the most in California, specifically San Francisco. They also receive higher-than-average compensation from companies such as Netflix and eBay.

Other states that employ data engineers at an illustrious rate include:

Question 13

What does a data engineer do on a daily basis?

Accepted Answer

On a daily basis, a data engineer is responsible for designing, constructing, installing, testing, and maintaining highly scalable data management systems. They ensure that the vast amount of data collected by an organization is correctly processed, organized, and stored in a way that it can then be used for data analysis.

Frequently asked questions about data engineers

Questions about becoming a data engineer