Data Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary
In United Kingdom, a data engineer earns about 58% more than a systems administrator — $187,419 vs $118,877 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is GBP). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
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Technology
Data Engineer$187,419/yr
- Monthly
- $15,663
- Hourly
- $90
- Range
- $119,948–$269,883
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Technology
Systems Administrator$118,877/yr
- Monthly
- $9,906
- Hourly
- $58
- Range
- $82,464–$163,322
- 10-yr outlook
- +4%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | Systems Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $119,948 | $82,464 |
| 25th | $153,683 | $100,671 |
| Median | $187,419 | $118,877 |
| 75th | $228,651 | $141,100 |
| Senior (90th) | $269,883 | $163,322 |
National United Kingdom figures in GBP. 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 Kingdom?
- A data engineer earns more, at about £140,000 per year vs £88,800 for a systems administrator — roughly 58% (£51,200) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
- A data engineer typically earns £89,600–£201,600, while a systems administrator earns £61,600–£122,000 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about £11,700 and a systems administrator about £7,400.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a data engineer earns about £89,600 while a systems administrator earns about £61,600 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a data engineer earns about £201,600 while a systems administrator earns about £122,000 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.