AI Engineer vs Data Engineer salary
In Germany, a data engineer earns about 49% more than a ai engineer — $205,294 vs $138,003 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is EUR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer$205,294/yr
- Monthly
- $17,108
- Hourly
- $99
- Range
- $131,388–$295,624
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | AI Engineer | Data Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $82,118 | $131,388 |
| 25th | $110,061 | $168,341 |
| Median | $138,003 | $205,294 |
| 75th | $172,105 | $250,459 |
| Senior (90th) | $206,321 | $295,624 |
National Germany figures in EUR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a ai engineer or data engineer earn more in Germany?
- A data engineer earns more, at about 180.000 € per year vs 121.000 € for a ai engineer — roughly 49% (59.000 €) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Germany?
- A ai engineer typically earns 72.000 €–180.900 €, while a data engineer earns 115.200 €–259.200 € per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in Germany?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a ai engineer averages about 10.100 € and a data engineer about 15.000 €.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Germany, a ai engineer earns about 72.000 € while a data engineer earns about 115.200 € per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Germany, a ai engineer earns about 180.900 € while a data engineer earns about 259.200 € per year.
- Are ai engineer and data engineer similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.