Big Data Engineer (Spark) Salary
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Technology Headhunters uses BLS OEWS data to answer this pay question. The median pay for Big Data Engineer (Spark) in the United States is $139,500 a year, and the middle half of workers earned between $109,370 and $169,290 (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 15-1243).
Broader occupation
BLS does not report this exact title. The figures shown are for SOC 15-1243, Database Architects. BLS reports Database Architects as a broader occupation. It does not separate Big Data Engineer (Spark), technology stack, seniority, certifications or employer sector. These figures are not a title-specific offer range.
BLS publishes one set of figures for SOC 15-1243. Other titles in our taxonomy map to it and show the same numbers. Percentiles describe all workers in the occupation. They are not experience levels.
| Measure | Per year |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $86,240 |
| 25th percentile | $109,370 |
| Median | $139,500 |
| 75th percentile | $169,290 |
| 90th percentile | $204,000 |
| Mean | $144,440 |
| Measure | Per hour |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41.46 |
| 25th percentile | $52.58 |
| Median | $67.07 |
| 75th percentile | $81.39 |
| 90th percentile | $98.08 |
| Mean | $69.44 |
A figure shown as "or more" is top-coded. BLS does not publish exact wages at or above $239,200 a year or $115.00 an hour.
BLS estimates 67,140 people work in this occupation nationally.
Target metros
| Metro | Median | P25 to P75 | Employment | LQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $141,170 | $118,690 to $164,230 | 490 | 0.4 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $133,290 | $97,710 to $170,290 | 360 | 0.58 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $143,540 | $109,830 to $170,700 | 270 | 0.44 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $132,740 | $98,190 to $161,470 | 710 | 2.21 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $131,540 | $93,280 to $175,760 | 5,460 | 1.33 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $131,540 | $93,280 to $175,760 | 5,460 | 1.33 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $154,770 | $129,790 to $165,470 | 4,320 | 2.47 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $147,490 | $125,240 to $168,130 | 1,260 | 0.65 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 15-1243 Database Architects, the United States. Released 2026-05-15. Methodology and mapping notes.
These are BLS survey-based wage estimates, not observed individual offers or a modeled technology-title range. A broader occupation or proxy is not separate pay data for your job title.
Recruiter's read
Qualitative view from the search team. Not BLS data.
This title is broader than the BLS occupation, so the published range is a starting point. The skills you need may sit above or below it, so compare with live offers before you commit. Talk to us if your search needs more than a published range can tell you.
Questions answered by BLS data
What is the median pay for Big Data Engineer (Spark)?
BLS reports a median of $139,500 a year for SOC 15-1243, Database Architects, in the United States (May 2025). Half of workers earned less and half earned more.
What is the pay range for Big Data Engineer (Spark)?
10% of workers in this occupation earned less than $86,240. 10% earned more than $204,000.
How many Big Data Engineer (Spark) jobs are there?
BLS estimates 67,140 workers in SOC 15-1243 nationally in May 2025.
Does BLS publish this exact job title?
Not exactly. Big Data Engineer (Spark) is shown using SOC 15-1243, Database Architects, a broader occupation. BLS reports Database Architects as a broader occupation. It does not separate Big Data Engineer (Spark), technology stack, seniority, certifications or employer sector. These figures are not a title-specific offer range.
Which of our target metros reports the highest median for Big Data Engineer (Spark)?
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX , at $154,770 a year (May 2025).
Are percentiles the same as experience levels?
No. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than that amount. BLS does not report pay by experience.
Related roles
Download the source data for this role (CSV) · Methodology
What changed between the published releases?
These are BLS survey estimates for SOC 15-1243, Database Architects. They are not a projection or a comparison of the same individual workers.
| Reference period | Median |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | $135,980 |
| May 2025 | $139,500 |
How do published wages differ by industry?
These national rows describe private establishments in BLS four-digit industry groups. Industry names are shown as BLS publishes them. They do not include government establishments. An industry figure is still an occupation estimate, not a quote for this exact title.
View the published industry table
| Industry | NAICS | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 221100 | $127,300 | $138,660 | $170,180 | $142,790 | 260 |
| Utility System Construction | 237100 | $66,860 | $79,040 | $100,740 | $97,420 | 30 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 238200 | $88,050 | $114,120 | $171,080 | $126,130 | 100 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 323100 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | 90 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 3250A1 | $96,440 | $128,890 | $170,520 | $130,500 | 40 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 325400 | $134,860 | $171,710 | $189,610 | $165,280 | 140 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 3320A1 | $74,470 | $86,320 | $147,770 | $104,810 | 40 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3330A1 | $99,530 | $133,400 | $155,150 | $129,210 | 90 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 333300 | $102,530 | $141,770 | $168,420 | $133,480 | 30 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 333600 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | 30 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 334100 | $131,740 | $170,680 | $210,340 | $172,070 | 140 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 334200 | $115,380 | $133,020 | $158,450 | $140,840 | 30 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 334400 | $139,610 | $178,150 | $234,270 | $187,740 | 160 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 334500 | $110,910 | $134,520 | $163,190 | $137,490 | 120 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 336100 | $121,220 | $128,290 | $172,230 | $139,090 | 100 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 336300 | $91,850 | $124,010 | $140,500 | $118,620 | 40 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 336400 | $132,700 | $161,760 | $187,030 | $157,700 | 100 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 339100 | $121,860 | $133,570 | $159,250 | $136,630 | 80 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339900 | $105,420 | $133,460 | $178,890 | $162,360 | 30 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers | 456100 | $83,610 | $83,610 | $131,750 | $106,060 | 220 |
| Other Miscellaneous Retailers | 459900 | $121,570 | $144,010 | $175,960 | $144,110 | 40 |
| Scheduled Air Transportation | 481100 | $177,440 | $179,310 | $198,210 | $178,510 | 30 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | 488500 | $107,310 | $134,570 | $179,230 | $142,160 | 60 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493100 | $90,650 | $131,250 | $187,150 | $136,910 | 190 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | 512100 | $73,800 | $175,660 | $202,930 | $146,420 | 90 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | 513100 | $102,190 | $142,800 | $167,600 | $138,780 | 280 |
| Software Publishers | 513200 | $101,970 | $131,900 | $165,140 | $139,000 | 3770 |
| Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers | 516200 | $98,210 | $131,120 | $168,010 | $139,790 | 950 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | 518200 | $137,540 | $152,560 | $186,850 | $158,410 | 3970 |
| Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | 519200 | $127,890 | $183,770 | $220,910 | $174,750 | Not published by BLS |
| Monetary Authorities-Central Bank | 521100 | $160,520 | $170,130 | $195,480 | $170,280 | 150 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) | 5220A1 | $130,100 | $147,430 | $175,060 | $150,750 | 2460 |
| Nondepository Credit Intermediation | 522200 | $127,270 | $156,000 | $173,480 | $151,750 | 550 |
| Insurance Carriers | 524100 | $125,370 | $139,610 | $165,100 | $144,700 | 3250 |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | 524200 | $111,650 | $137,830 | $164,150 | $137,000 | 1640 |
| Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds | 525100 | $161,350 | $174,740 | $178,640 | $169,630 | 30 |
| Legal Services | 541100 | $134,880 | $159,620 | $173,610 | $157,150 | 350 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | 541200 | $121,060 | $154,500 | $176,670 | $152,150 | 560 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 541300 | $98,950 | $131,850 | $167,470 | $135,390 | 770 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 541500 | $118,950 | $148,680 | $171,680 | $152,550 | 16410 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 541600 | $96,720 | $130,690 | $169,610 | $136,910 | 4340 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 541700 | $117,950 | $155,160 | $174,370 | $150,360 | 1010 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 541800 | $101,850 | $130,400 | $142,250 | $126,550 | 440 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541900 | $82,480 | $121,680 | $163,150 | $126,600 | Not published by BLS |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 551100 | $121,780 | $139,320 | $166,730 | $142,890 | 6830 |
| Office Administrative Services | 561100 | $102,710 | $135,580 | $158,940 | $129,930 | 620 |
| Employment Services | 561300 | $117,970 | $156,000 | $172,130 | $148,730 | 2680 |
| Business Support Services | 561400 | $109,590 | $137,810 | $167,950 | $139,350 | 380 |
| Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | 561500 | $126,880 | $149,580 | $170,130 | $147,850 | 170 |
| Other Support Services | 561900 | $113,310 | $139,770 | $146,130 | $131,720 | 50 |
| Offices of Physicians | 621100 | $104,670 | $120,580 | $145,640 | $129,450 | 210 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 621400 | $94,180 | $125,530 | $154,780 | $126,370 | 120 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | 621500 | $81,540 | $110,660 | $128,680 | $112,430 | 90 |
| Home Health Care Services | 621600 | $75,950 | $136,120 | $157,340 | $119,540 | 50 |
| Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | 621900 | $104,350 | $145,880 | $183,950 | $146,900 | 160 |
| Individual and Family Services | 624100 | $63,270 | $84,710 | $132,790 | $98,710 | 50 |
What should you check outside the wage figure?
For this technology hire, compare the cash work covered by the occupation before judging an offer. Keep discretionary bonuses separate. BLS does not list equity or RSUs in its wage definition. We do not assign stock awards a cash value or add them to these wages.
Remote pay bands are an employer decision. These figures have no remote-work or cost-of-living adjustment. The published metro and state rows describe the BLS area, not a remote candidate's personal pay expectations.
Compare all published metro medians for this occupation · Read the mapping and data method
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 15-1243 Database Architects, the United States. Released 2026-05-15. Methodology and mapping notes.
These are BLS survey-based wage estimates, not observed individual offers or a modeled technology-title range. A broader occupation or proxy is not separate pay data for your job title.