Data Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary
In United Arab Emirates, a data engineer earns about 62% more than a systems administrator — $132,335 vs $81,688 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AED). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer$132,335/yr
- Monthly
- $11,028
- Hourly
- $64
- Range
- $84,683–$190,551
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Technology
Systems Administrator$81,688/yr
- Monthly
- $6,807
- Hourly
- $39
- Range
- $56,692–$112,240
- 10-yr outlook
- +4%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | Systems Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $84,683 | $56,692 |
| 25th | $108,509 | $69,190 |
| Median | $132,335 | $81,688 |
| 75th | $161,443 | $96,964 |
| Senior (90th) | $190,551 | $112,240 |
National United Arab Emirates figures in AED. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data engineer or systems administrator earn more in United Arab Emirates?
- A data engineer earns more, at about AED 486,000 per year vs AED 300,000 for a systems administrator — roughly 62% (AED 186,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United Arab Emirates?
- A data engineer typically earns AED 311,000–AED 699,800, while a systems administrator earns AED 208,200–AED 412,200 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United Arab Emirates?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about AED 40,500 and a systems administrator about AED 25,000.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a data engineer earns about AED 311,000 while a systems administrator earns about AED 208,200 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a data engineer earns about AED 699,800 while a systems administrator earns about AED 412,200 per year.
- Are data engineer and systems administrator 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.