Texas tech capital — Tesla, Oracle, Apple — booming. Here's how Data Engineers in Austin get paid in 2026.
How pay scales with career stage in the Austin metro market.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th % | 75th % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (0–1 yr) | $117,800 | $89,500 | $153,100 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $146,400 | $111,200 | $190,300 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $168,300 | $127,900 | $218,800 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $201,900 | $153,400 | $262,500 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $228,800 | $173,900 | $297,500 |
Highest-paying metros for Data Engineers — useful if you're weighing a relocation.
Top occupations by median pay across the Austin metro economy.
The average Data Engineer salary in the Austin metro is $168,300 per year as of 2026, with a typical range of $127,900 to $218,800 (25th–75th percentile). Top earners (90th percentile) make $277,700 or more.
Yes — Austin pays +4% relative to the Texas state median for Data Engineers. Major metros typically concentrate higher-paying employers and command a wage premium over rural and small-city areas in the same state.
Austin vs. national: +13%. That puts Austin among the stronger US markets for Data Engineers — though cost of living in Austin is also typically elevated.
In Austin, the median Data Engineer salary of $168,300 typically corresponds to 5–9 years of experience (mid-level). Entry-level Data Engineers in Austin start around $117,800, while seniors (10+ years) reach $201,900 or more.
Metro medians are useful benchmarks — but your exact number depends on your experience, education, and the specific employer. Run the free calculator for a personalized read.
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