Data Engineer Salary in Raleigh, North Carolina
The median data engineer salary in Raleigh, NC is $127,500 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 6.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Data Engineer Pay in Raleigh: What to Expect (2026)
Raleigh offers a median data engineer salary of $127,500, which is $7,500 above the North Carolina state average of $120,000. Compared to the national median of $125,000, Raleigh pays above average for this role.
Raleigh's cost of living is 98% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.
The salary range for data engineers in Raleigh spans from $79,560 at the 10th percentile to $193,800 at the 90th percentile — a $114,240 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $81,600, while senior data engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $183,600. With a population of 467,665, Raleigh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.
Data Engineer Salary in Raleigh by Experience
In Raleigh, an entry-level data engineer earns around $81,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $183,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
Salary Percentiles in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Raleigh |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,560 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000 |
| Median (50th) | $127,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $161,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $193,800 |
Data Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities
How to Become a Data Engineer in Raleigh
Education
Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Raleigh and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.
Key Skills
Job Outlook
Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Raleigh may vary based on local industry and population growth.
Find Data Engineer Jobs in Raleigh
Browse open data engineer positions in Raleigh, NC: