Pay by Role
India · Salary comparison

Data Engineer vs Data Scientist salary

In India, a data engineer earns about 18% more than a data scientist $33,301 vs $28,170 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is INR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer
$33,301/yr
Monthly
$2,775
Hourly
$16
Range
$21,313$47,953
10-yr outlook
+30%
Technology
Data Scientist
$28,170/yr
Monthly
$2,348
Hourly
$14
Range
$17,522$41,184
10-yr outlook
+35%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileData EngineerData Scientist
Entry (10th)$21,313$17,522
25th$27,307$22,846
Median$33,301$28,170
75th$40,627$34,677
Senior (90th)$47,953$41,184

National India figures in INR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data engineer or data scientist earn more in India?
A data engineer earns more, at about ₹31,80,000 per year vs ₹26,90,000 for a data scientist — roughly 18% (₹4,90,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in India?
A data engineer typically earns ₹20,35,200–₹45,79,200, while a data scientist earns ₹16,73,200–₹39,32,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in India?
On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about ₹2,65,000 and a data scientist about ₹2,24,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in India, a data engineer earns about ₹20,35,200 while a data scientist earns about ₹16,73,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in India, a data engineer earns about ₹45,79,200 while a data scientist earns about ₹39,32,800 per year.
Are data engineer and data scientist 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.