Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Data Engineer vs IT Support Specialist salary

In United States, a data engineer earns about 127% more than a it support specialist $151,000 vs $66,600 per year.

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

Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer
$151,000/yr
Monthly
$12,600
Hourly
$73
Range
$96,600$217,400
10-yr outlook
+30%
Technology
IT Support Specialist
$66,600/yr
Monthly
$5,600
Hourly
$32
Range
$48,600$88,600
10-yr outlook
+6%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileData EngineerIT Support Specialist
Entry (10th)$96,600$48,600
25th$123,800$57,600
Median$151,000$66,600
75th$184,200$77,600
Senior (90th)$217,400$88,600

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data engineer or it support specialist earn more in United States?
A data engineer earns more, at about $151,000 per year vs $66,600 for a it support specialist — roughly 127% ($84,400) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A data engineer typically earns $96,600–$217,400, while a it support specialist earns $48,600–$88,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about $12,600 and a it support specialist about $5,600.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a data engineer earns about $96,600 while a it support specialist earns about $48,600 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a data engineer earns about $217,400 while a it support specialist earns about $88,600 per year.
Are data engineer and it support specialist 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.