Technology Texas (TX) Rank #23 of 50

Data Engineer Salary in Texas

The median data engineer salary in Texas is $122,500 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $125,000.

Median Salary
$122,500
vs National
$-2,500
State Rank
#23 of 50
Cost of Living
92%

Data Engineer Salary Overview in Texas (2026)

Texas ranks #23 out of 50 states for data engineer compensation. Texas falls in the middle of the pack for data engineer pay, offering salaries near the national average. At $122,500 per year, data engineers in Texas earn $2,500 less than the national median of $125,000.

A key advantage of working in Texas is its below-average cost of living (92% of the national index). This means the $122,500 salary has the purchasing power of roughly $133,152 in an average-cost area.

The salary spread in Texas is significant: data engineers at the 10th percentile earn $76,440, while those at the 90th percentile bring home $186,200 — a $109,760 gap that reflects differences in experience, specialization, employer type, and metro area. The highest-paying city in Texas for this role is Austin, where the median reaches $138,750.

Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). This strong growth suggests increasing demand and competitive salaries in Texas and beyond.

Data Engineer Salary in Texas by Experience

In Texas, an entry-level data engineer earns around $78,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $176,400 per year. The cost of living index in Texas is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,400
$-1,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$124,460
$-2,540 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$176,400
$-3,600 vs national

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Salary Percentiles in Texas

Percentile TX Salary
10th Percentile $76,440
25th Percentile $98,000
Median (50th) $122,500
75th Percentile $154,840
90th Percentile $186,200

Data Engineer Salary by City in Texas

The largest employment areas for data engineers in Texas include Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Salaries vary by city based on local cost of living and demand.

How to Become a Data Engineer in Texas

Education

Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Texas has several accredited institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonSQLSparkAirflowAWS/GCPData Modeling

Job Outlook in Texas

Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Texas's demand may vary based on local industry trends.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Data Engineer Salary in Texas

How much does a Data Engineer make in Texas? ▼
The median data engineer salary in Texas is $122,500 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $125,000. Salaries range from $76,440 (10th percentile) to $186,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Engineer make per hour in Texas? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,500, a data engineer in Texas earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
Is Texas a good state for data engineers? ▼
Texas ranks #23 out of 50 states for data engineer pay. The cost of living index is 92% of the national average. Entry-level data engineers earn $78,400, while senior professionals earn $176,400.
How does Texas compare to other states for data engineer salary? ▼
The highest paying state for data engineers is Hawaii at $206,250. Texas's median of $122,500 ranks #23 nationally. Nearby-ranked states include Nevada ($123,750) and Pennsylvania ($122,500).
What is the entry-level data engineer salary in Texas? ▼
An entry-level data engineer in Texas earns approximately $78,400 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to around $124,460. Senior-level professionals with 8+ years earn up to $176,400.
What city in Texas pays data engineers the most? ▼
Austin is the highest paying city in Texas for data engineers, with a median salary of $138,750. Other cities include Houston and Dallas.