Data Engineer Salary in India 2026
Complete salary guide with in-hand calculations, career growth, and negotiation tips
Last Updated: January 2026 | FY 2025-26
Salary Overview
Entry Level
₹6 LPA
0-1 years
Mid Level
₹18 LPA
3-5 years
Senior Level
₹90 LPA
12+ years
Overview
Data Engineers build and maintain the infrastructure that enables data-driven decision making. They design data pipelines, manage data warehouses, and ensure data quality across organizations.
In 2026, Data Engineers are critical to every AI/ML initiative. With companies investing heavily in data infrastructure for GenAI, demand for skilled Data Engineers has surged, making it one of the fastest-growing and highest-paying tech roles.
Data Engineer Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Salary Range | Average CTC | Monthly In-Hand* | Typical Roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fresher 0-1 years | ₹4 LPA - ₹9 LPA | ₹6 LPA | ₹41,841 | Data Engineer, ETL Developer |
Junior 1-3 years | ₹7 LPA - ₹15 LPA | ₹10 LPA | ₹68,174 | Data Engineer, Big Data Engineer |
Mid-Level 3-5 years | ₹13 LPA - ₹25 LPA | ₹18 LPA | ₹1,15,443 | Senior Data Engineer, Lead Data Engineer |
Senior 5-8 years | ₹22 LPA - ₹45 LPA | ₹32 LPA | ₹1,81,963 | Staff Data Engineer, Principal Data Engineer |
Lead/Principal 8-12 years | ₹40 LPA - ₹70 LPA | ₹55 LPA | ₹2,91,246 | Data Architect, Head of Data Engineering |
Director 12+ years | ₹60 LPA - ₹150 LPA | ₹90 LPA | ₹4,57,547 | Director of Data Engineering, VP Data |
*Monthly in-hand calculated using New Tax Regime (FY 2025-26) with standard assumptions.Use our calculator for personalized calculations.
Quick In-Hand Salary Reference
See exact take-home salary for common Data Engineer CTC packages:
Top Companies Hiring Data Engineers
Key Skills Required
- ✓Python/Scala
- ✓SQL & Data Modeling
- ✓Apache Spark
- ✓Kafka/Streaming
- ✓Airflow/Orchestration
- ✓Cloud Data Services (BigQuery, Redshift)
- ✓Data Warehousing
- ✓dbt
Valuable Certifications
- 📜Databricks Certified
- 📜AWS Data Analytics
- 📜GCP Data Engineer
- 📜Snowflake Certification
- 📜Apache Spark Certification
Career Progression
📈 Industry Trends 2025
Real-time data and streaming are essential in 2026. Data Engineers supporting GenAI/LLM infrastructure earn 40-50% premium. dbt and modern data stack skills are in high demand.
Factors Affecting Data Engineer Salary
💡 Salary Negotiation Tips
- •Quantify data pipeline improvements (latency, throughput)
- •Highlight cost optimization in cloud data spend
- •Showcase ML infrastructure experience
- •Certifications in Databricks/Snowflake strengthen position
- •Consider equity in data-first companies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Data Engineer salary in India?
Data Engineers earn ₹6-32 LPA in India. Average mid-level salary is ₹18 LPA. Senior engineers at top companies earn ₹50-70 LPA.
Data Engineer vs Data Scientist salary?
Data Scientists typically earn 10-15% more at senior levels, but Data Engineers have more job openings and clearer career progression.
Which skills pay the most for Data Engineers?
Streaming (Kafka, Flink), ML infrastructure, and modern data stack (dbt, Snowflake) command highest premiums.
Is coding important for Data Engineers?
Yes, strong Python/Scala and SQL skills are essential. Most work involves writing production-quality code.
What is the career path for Data Engineers?
Data Engineer → Senior → Staff → Data Architect → Head of Data Engineering → VP Data → Chief Data Officer.
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