Data Engineers play a crucial role in designing, building and maintaining the infrastructure necessary for performing data operations. As companies continue to generate and collect data, the demand for skilled Data Engineers to manage and analyse this data is increasing. While the path to becoming a Data Engineer may be challenging, the demand and vast opportunities available make it an attractive career choice.
Becoming a Data Engineer does come with a fair share of challenges, but it is achievable with dedication and the right approach. Candidates are expected to have strong technical expertise, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. The average salary of a Data Engineer in India is INR 7.6 LPA.
After completing class 12, candidates can take many paths for the preparation of a career in data engineering. One option to is to pursue a full-time degree in data science or related fields and develop skills. BSc Data Science is one of the most popular courses that spiring Data Engineers enrol in. Candidates can also gain relevant skills and experience through online courses, certifications and internships.
Courses in data science and related fields are offered by many colleges in India. Loyola College, MCC, Fergusson College and Christ University are some of the top colleges for data science courses. Popular entrance exams for data science courses include NPAT, CUET and BITSAT.
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Table of Contents
- How to Become a Data Engineer: Quick Facts
- What does a Data Engineer do
- Steps to Become a Data Engineer
- Eligibility to Become a Data Engineer
- Qualifications to Become a Data Engineer
- How to Become a Data Engineer in India
How to Become a Data Engineer: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | UG degree in Data Science or related fields like Computer Science, Statistics or Mathematics |
| Required Skills | Programming Skills Database knowledge Big Data Technologies Data Pipeline and Workflow Management |
| Starting Salary (INR) | INR 3.3 LPA |
| Average Salary (INR) | INR 7.6 LPA |
| Highest Salary (INR) | INR 20.9 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Google, Apple, Goldman Sachs, Expedia, Autodesk |
What does a Data Engineer do
The primary responsibility of Data Engineers is to design, develop and maintain the systems and infrastructure required for efficient data processing and analysis. Some of the key tasks performed by Data Engineers include.
- They design and develop data pipelines to extract, transform and load data from various sources into storage systems and data warehouses.
- Data Engineers set up and manage the infrastructure required for data storage, processing and analysis.
- Designing and implementing data models to organise and structure data for storage and efficient retrieval is also done by a Data Engineer.
- Data Engineers preprocess and clean raw data to ensure its quality, consistency and compatibility with downstream data processing and analysis.
Steps to Become a Data Engineer
Becoming a Data Engineer requires a combination of education, practical experience and continuous learning. Following are the steps that can be followed to pursue a career as a Data Engineer.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree: After clearing class 12, candidates should look to enrol in a UG program focusing on data science and engineering concepts. Some majors that candidates can pursue include Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics and Information Technology.
Step 2: Develop Data Engineering skills: Data Engineer is a constantly evolving field, candidates are required to learn skills to keep up with the trend. Data Engineers should possess a set of technical and soft skills to excel in their roles. Some of the top Data Engineer skills include -
- Programming skills.
- SQL and Database concepts.
- Big Data Technologies.
- ETL skills.
- Data Warehousing.
- Cloud platforms.
Step 3: Gain Hands-on Experience: Candidates should apply for internships to work on different projects and develop the skills required to be a Data Engineer. Internships also help in generating a good portfolio.
Step 4: Develop a Data Engineering Portfolio: Portfolio is important to demonstrate a candidate’s skills and understanding of concepts to potential employers. Candidates should start working on their portfolio by taking part in freelance work and building sample projects.
Step 5: Start applying for Data Engineer jobs: After completing the education and gaining significant skills, candidates should look for Data Engineer positions and start offering their services. Candidates can also opt for postgraduate courses for better career opportunities.
Eligibility to Become a Data Engineer
To become a Data Engineer in India, there are certain eligibility criteria and specific skills that candidates have to meet. The standard eligibility criteria to become a Data Engineer are explained in the following points -
- Education: The minimum requirement to becoming a Data Engineer is to have a bachelor’s degree in data science or related fields like computer science, mathematics or statistics. BSc Data Science, BTech CSE and BSc Mathematics are some of the popular courses. Candidates can also go for a master’s degree like MSc in Data Science or Mathematics.
- Technical skills - Candidates are required to be proficient in many technical skills to be successful Data Engineers. Python, Java, DBMS and Cloud platforms like AWS, GCP and Microsoft Azure are some of the top skills.
- Collaboration and Communication - Effective communication skills and the ability to work in teams are important for Data Engineers as they often work with different people to deliver data solutions.
- Soft skills - Data Engineers should also have effective skills like analytical thinking, problem solving, attention to detail and time management are some other skills that Data Engineers should have.
Qualifications to Become a Data Engineer
To become a Data Engineer in India, candidates need to obtain a graduate degree in data science or related fields. There are many exams conducted for admission into these courses. The general qualifications to be a Data Engineer are explained in the following points -
- Higher secondary certificate - Candidates are required to clear class 12 with 50% marks from a recognised board. Though candidates from any stream can apply for data science courses, candidates from a science background are preferred as they will be able to understand the concepts quickly.
- Graduate Degree - The initial requirement is to have a graduate degree in data science or a related field from a recognised university.
- Entrance exams - Candidates can appear in entrance exams for admission to top colleges to pursue data science courses. Some of the top exams include NPAT, CUET, CUCET and BITSAT.
- Technical skills - Data Engineers are taught to have expertise in a variety of technical skills so that they can handle data-driven tasks efficiently. Programming skills, Big Data Technologies, DBMS and Cloud platforms are some of the top skills.
How to Become a Data Engineer in India
Candidates are advised to start their preparation for a Data Engineer role at the school level. They have to go through many steps to become a professional in the Data Engineering field.
School Level Preparation: Students can only take specific subjects in school focusing on becoming a Data Engineer. Students from any stream can apply for data science courses.
One thing that students can do is enrol themselves in entry-level certification courses that will teach them about the basics of data science and the working of the field. They can also participate in quizzes and competitions that feature data science topics to gain knowledge about the profession.
How to Become a Data Engineer After 12th
Students are only required to have a graduate degree to become eligible for entry-level Data Engineering roles. There are many graduate-level courses for which students can apply. After completing a UG degree, students also have the option to go for higher PG studies.
- UG Preparation: BSc Data Science and BTech Computer Science/CSE are some of the top courses that can be pursued at the UG level. Students can appear in entrance exams to get admission to top colleges for these courses.
- PG Preparation: Students can pursue master’s courses like MSc Data Science after completing their UG degree. Master’s degree offer candidates better career options with competitive pay.
Data Engineering Courses
BSc Data Science is one of the major courses that many aspiring Data Engineers apply to. Other courses from related fields include BTech Computer Science/CSE, BSc Mathematics, and BSc Statistics. Students can also apply for postgraduate courses for better career growth.
The details for some of the popular courses are mentioned in the following table.
| Parameters | BSc Data Science | BTech Computer Science | MSc Data Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Class 12th board exams | Class 12th board exams | UG degree with 50% marks |
| Entrance Exams | NPAT, CUET, SET, CUCET | NPAT, CUET, JET, JEE, SUAT | CUET PG, BITSAT, NEST, IIT JAM, DUET |
| Top Colleges | KR Mangalam University, Jain University, Navrachana University, Symbiosis Skill and Open University | IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur | VIT, Christ University, Fergusson College, Annamalai University |
| Average Course Fees (INR) | Under 6 L | INR 2 - 10 L | INR 2 L |
| Average Salary (INR) | INR 5 - 7 LPA | INR 1.5 - 4.5 LPA | INR 4 - 8 LPA |
Data Engineering Entrance Exams
Students can appear in many law entrance exams for different courses to get admission into top colleges. Details for some of the top entrance exams are mentioned in the following table.
| Entrance Exams | Application Deadlines | Exams |
|---|---|---|
| NPAT | December 06, 2023 – May 20, 2024 | January 1, 2024 to May 25, 2024 |
| CUET | February 27, 2024 – March 2024 | May 15 to May 31, 2024 |
| BITSAT | January 15, 2024 – April 11, 2024 (Session 1) May 22, 2024 – June 10, 2024 (Session 2) |
May 19 to 24, 2024 (Session 1) June 22 to 26, 2024 (Session 2) |
Top Data Engineering Colleges in India
There are many colleges in India providing education in data science. Loyola College, MCC, Fergusson College and Christ University are some of the best colleges. The details for top data science colleges are mentioned in the table below.
| Name of the Colleges | Location | Average Course Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Loyola College | Chennai | 86,000 |
| Madras Christian College (MCC) | Chennai | 24,500 |
| Fergusson College | Pune | 11.540 |
| Christ University | Bangalore | 1.37 L |
| MIT World Peace University | Pune | 1.50 L |
| Kristu Jayanti College (KJC) | Bangalore | 85,000 |
| Kishinchand Chellram College | Mumbai | 10,735 |
| IIT Madras | Chennai | 3.15 L |
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai | 34,400 |
Skills Required to Become a Data Engineer
Data Engineers are needed to have a specific set of skills to complete their tasks efficiently. A combination of technical skills, analytical abilities and a strong understanding of data management skills are necessary.
Some of the top skills that a Data Engineer should possess are mentioned in the table below.
| Problem-solving and Analytical Thinking | Programming | Databases and SQL |
| Big Data Technologies | Data Warehousing | Data Pipelines |
| Data Integration and APIs | Cloud Platforms | Version Control and Collaboration |
Benefits of Becoming a Data Engineer
Like every other profession, Data Engineering also comes with its own share of perks and benefits. Listed below are some of the key benefits of becoming a Data Engineer.
- High demand and career opportunities - As more organisations are recognising the value of data-driven decision-making, the need for Data Engineers is rising with abundant career opportunities.
- Competitive salary - The demand along with the ability to handle and process large-scale data often results in higher salaries.
- Working with the latest technologies - Data Engineers get to work with the latest tools and implement them in different data processes.
- Impactful Data Solutions - Data Engineers empower businesses to extract valuable insights from data leading to informed and efficient decisions.
- Flexibility - Many organisations allow flexible schedules or remote working opportunities to their Data Engineers, providing a better work-life balance.
Salary of a Data Engineer
The average annual salary of a Data Engineer in India is INR 7.6 LPA. The highest that a Data Engineer is earning is INR 20.9 LPA. Data Engineers with an experience of around 5 years can expect to make INR 11.3 LPA in India.
The salaries for some of the top Data Engineer designations are mentioned in the table below.
| Designation | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Data Architect | 24.9 L |
| Big Data Engineer | 7.9 L |
| ETL Developer | 5.7 L |
| Data Integration Engineer | 10 L |
| Data Warehouse Engineer | 6.1 L |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 6.4 L |
| Data Operations Engineer | 2.7 L |
How to Become a Data Engineer: FAQs
Ques. What qualifications are required to become a Data Engineer in India?
Ans. Most Data Engineers are required to hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in data science or related fields like computer science or statistics. Acquiring relevant certifications can enhance skills and improve employability.
Ques. What are some of the essential technical skills for a Data Engineer?
Ans. Proficiency in programming languages, strong database knowledge, data warehousing and frameworks concepts, cloud platforms and ETL tools are some of the essential technical skills that a Data Engineer should have.
Ques. Are there any specific courses or training programs available for Data Engineering?
Ans. There are many online and offline training programs available in India. Many renowned educational institutions, coding boot camps and online learning platforms offer courses on data engineering. Some popular platforms include Coursera, edX and Udemy.
Ques. What are the job prospects for Data Engineers in India?
Ans. The demand for Data Engineers in India is high due to the increasing emphasis on data-driven decision-making across industries. Job prospects are promising, with opportunities available in sectors like IT. finance, healthcare, e-commerce and more.
Ques. How can I gain practical experience as a Data Engineer?
Ans. You need to work on personal projects involving the collection, cleaning and analysis of data. Additionally, you can seek internships, participate in data science competitions and freelance on data science projects to gain hands-on experience. Networking with professionals from the field can also help.
Ques. What are the career growth opportunities for Data Engineers in India?
Ans. With experience, individuals can progress to roles like senior data engineer, big data engineer or data architect. There are also possibilities for branching into related fields like data science, machine learning or data analytics.
Ques. Are there any professional communities or groups for Data Engineers in India?
Ans. Data Science Society India, various LinkedIn groups and Analytics India Magazine are some of the communities or organisations that cater to Data Engineers in India.
Ques. Which cities are paying the most to Data Engineers?
Ans. Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and Chennai are top-paying cities for Data Engineers in India.
Ques. What are the top-paying industries for Data Engineers?
Ans. Internet, Banking, Financial Services, Software and IT Services & Consulting are some of the best industries for Data Engineers.
Ques. Name the top recruiters of Data Engineers in India.
Ans. Google, Apple, Goldman Sachs, Expedia and Autodesk are some of the top recruiters of Data Engineers in India.
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