Are you a fresh graduate or young professional looking for a high-paying and in-demand career option in India? Have you considered becoming a big data engineer?
With the exponential growth of data across industries, the demand for professionals who can manage and analyse large amounts of data has skyrocketed. In this detailed guide, we will explore the world of big data engineering salaries in India and provide insights into job and advancement opportunities.
Who is a Big Data Engineer?
A big data engineer is responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining large-scale processing systems. They work on complex data systems that manage and process large amounts of data to provide insights that support business decisions.
Salary Benchmarks for Big Data Engineers in India
The demand for big data engineers has been increasing rapidly with the rise of big data analytics across industries. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a big data engineer in India is around ₹7 lakhs per annum.
In comparison to other similar fields like software engineering or web development, the salary of a big data engineer is higher due to the technical expertise required to handle complex datasets.
Factors affecting salaries
Salaries can vary depending on several factors, such as location, company size, skills, and experience.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Big data engineering is one of the most in-demand fields in India today, which means it also comes with attractive pay packages. In comparison to other similar roles in the IT industry, such as software engineers or developers, big data engineers tend to earn higher salaries because of their unique set of skills.
- As a fresher or entry-level professional in this field, you can expect an average salary ranging from ₹4–6 lakhs per annum, depending on your educational qualifications.
- With two to four years of experience under your belt, your salary could range from ₹7–15 lakhs per annum.
- Mid-level professionals can command an average salary ranging from ₹15–25 lakhs per annum.
- Senior-level professionals can earn upwards of ₹40 lakhs per annum.
The more experience and skills you have under your belt, the more money you will be able to command. Skills like Hadoop, Spark, Hive, Pig, and Python are highly valued in this field. With each additional year of experience under your belt, your salary can increase by up to 20%.
LOCATION
The city you are based in has a significant impact on your salary package. Big cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru offer higher salaries due to the high cost of living there. On average:
- A fresh graduate can expect a starting salary ranging from ₹3-6 lakhs per annum in smaller cities.
- In tier 1 cities like Delhi, Chennai, or Hyderabad, the average salary range is ₹4-8 lakhs per annum.
- In tier 2 cities such as Pune or Ahmedabad, salaries may start at around ₹3-5 lakhs per annum.
COMPANY SIZE
Generally speaking, larger companies tend to offer higher salaries than smaller ones. This is due to the resources available at bigger organisations, which allow them to offer higher pay packages. On average:
- Small companies with less than 100 employees may offer salaries ranging from ₹4–10 lakhs per annum.
- Medium-sized organisations with 100–500 employees may offer an average salary range of ₹8–20 lakhs per annum.
- Large companies with over 500 employees can pay anywhere between ₹15–50 lakhs per annum.
JOB ROLES
There are various job roles available for big data engineers, ranging from junior data engineers to senior data scientists.
Here's an overview of the average annual salaries for different job roles in the field of big data engineering.
Job Opportunities and Career Growth for Big Data Engineers
As data continues to become more central to business operations across various sectors, the demand for skilled big data engineers is only set to increase.
Industries that are currently hiring big data engineers include finance and banking, healthcare and life sciences, e-commerce and retail, travel and hospitality, and technology.
Some of the popular companies hiring big data engineers in India include:
- TCS
- Infosys Ltd.
- Capgemini Technology Services India Ltd.
- IBM India Pvt. Ltd.
- Wipro Technologies Ltd.
- Amazon
- Accenture
Education and Certification Requirements
To start a career as a big data engineer in India, you need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or related fields.
Specialisation programmes like a PG Diploma or MS in Computer Science with a specialisation in big data engineering can give you an edge over other candidates.
Several certification courses are available for upskilling that will enhance the salary range, including the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification course or the Apache Hadoop certification.
The most popular upskilling certification courses that big data engineers can take to enhance their salaries include:
- Big Data and Hadoop Certification
- Apache Spark certification
- AWS-certified big data specialty
Advancement Opportunities for Big Data Engineers
Career advancement opportunities for big data engineers include progressing to senior-level positions such as Technical Architect or Principal Engineer. Some may opt to become self-employed and work as consultants for various firms.
To progress in this career, you need to have a good understanding of the latest trends and technological advancements in big data engineering, as well as expertise in programming languages such as Python, Java, and R.
Big Data Engineering: A High-Paying Career Option with a Bright Future
The future of big data engineering is promising, with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) being integrated into the field. This means that there will be increased demand for big data engineers who possess skills in these areas.
If you are considering pursuing a career in big data engineering, WIZR can provide you with expert guidance on education options, certification courses, and financing options.
FAQs
1. Which are the highest-paying big data jobs?
The highest-paying jobs in big data engineering are technical architect and principal engineer.
2. Are there specialisations within the field of big data engineering?
Yes! Popular specialisations include data mining, machine learning engineering, and cloud computing.
3. Can an undergraduate degree lead to a career as a big data engineer, or is certification necessary?
An undergraduate degree can get you started on your path to becoming a big data engineer, but certifications are highly recommended by experts.
4. Which industries offer the best salaries for big data engineers?
The financial sector has emerged as the highest-paying industry for big data engineers.
5. How can WIZR help me pursue a career in big data engineering?
WIZR can guide you through the process of selecting relevant degree programmes or certification courses and provide financing options if required. Additionally, WIZR offers career counselling services to help you chart your growth path within the industry.
