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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM COMPUTER SCIENCE →

Data Engineer

Data Architects are the visionary builders of the digital age, crafting the frameworks that enable organizations to harness the power of data. In a world increasingly driven by information, their expertise ensures that data systems are efficient, scalable, and aligned with business goals, making them crucial for the success of any data-driven initiative.

Data Engineer

65

Computer Science

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO65%moving to90%
THE DOOR, NOWC
THE DOOR, 20 YRSE
STARTING PAY£35,000 - £45,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
This work is being absorbed by AI
AI already does much of this work and nothing structurally requires a human: no licence, no physical task, no relationship at the core. Expect fewer people in higher-judgment roles: enter as the person directing the tools, not competing with them.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Data EngineerIn this entry-level role, you will assist in building and maintaining data pipelines, learning the fundamentals of data architecture and processing.£35,000 - £45,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Data EngineerAs a mid-level engineer, you will take on more complex projects, optimising data workflows and collaborating with cross-functional teams.£50,000 - £65,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Data EngineerIn this peak career stage, you will lead data engineering projects, mentor junior staff, and drive strategic data initiatives within the organisation.£80,000+
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.

AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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