What Do Cloud Data Engineers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for cloud data engineers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what cloud data engineers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Cloud Data Engineers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about cloud data engineers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Cloud Data Engineers administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
Popular Job Titles For Cloud Data Engineers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Data Engineers
- Database Administrators
- Salesforce Administrators
- Data Center Technicians
- Big Data Engineers
- Oracle Database Administrators
- ETL Developers
- SQL Developers
- Lead Data Engineers
- SQL Database Administrators
- Database Developers
- Technical Specialists
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for cloud data engineers can be found.
Best Industries for Cloud Data Engineers
Cloud Data Engineers Jobs By Industry
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 14.7%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 8.2%
- Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services: 4.7%
- State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 3.9%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 3.8%
- Insurance Carriers: 3.7%
- Other: 61%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of cloud data engineers can be found working in the Computer Systems Design and Related Services sector. In 2022, about 14.7% of all jobs for cloud data engineers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management of Companies and Enterprises (8.2%), Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services (4.7%), State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (3.9%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (3.8%) and Insurance Carriers (3.7%).
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- Months To Complete: 16
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- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
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What Do Cloud Data Engineers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what cloud data engineers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work cloud data engineers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that cloud data engineers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for cloud data engineers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Cloud Data Engineers
Based on 165,967 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Cloud Data Engineers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| SQL (Programming Language) | 79,950 | 48% |
| Data Engineering | 62,681 | 38% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 54,181 | 33% |
| Computer Science | 51,695 | 31% |
| Extract Transform Load (ETL) | 49,822 | 30% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Cloud Data Engineers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 56,477 | 34% |
| Management | 42,335 | 26% |
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 37,381 | 23% |
| Problem Solving | 33,821 | 20% |
| Operations | 28,395 | 17% |
Based on 165,967 job postings related to cloud data engineers, sql (programming language) was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 48% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for data engineering, python (programming language), computer science, extract transform load (etl) and amazon web services were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for cloud data engineers, followed by management, troubleshooting (problem solving), problem solving, operations and writing.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| SQL (Programming Language) | 79,950 | 48% |
| Data Engineering | 62,681 | 38% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 54,181 | 33% |
| Computer Science | 51,695 | 31% |
| Extract Transform Load (ETL) | 49,822 | 30% |
| Amazon Web Services | 38,575 | 23% |
| Data Warehousing | 37,259 | 22% |
| Agile Methodology | 32,312 | 19% |
| Data Modeling | 32,048 | 19% |
| Data Pipelines | 28,658 | 17% |
| Apache Spark | 27,844 | 17% |
| Data Analysis | 27,800 | 17% |
| Big Data | 27,195 | 16% |
| Automation | 25,911 | 16% |
| Microsoft Azure | 25,698 | 15% |
| Database Administration | 25,495 | 15% |
| Java (Programming Language) | 24,830 | 15% |
| Scalability | 23,169 | 14% |
| Scripting | 21,177 | 13% |
| Business Intelligence | 20,885 | 13% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 56,477 | 34% |
| Management | 42,335 | 26% |
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 37,381 | 23% |
| Problem Solving | 33,821 | 20% |
| Operations | 28,395 | 17% |
| Writing | 21,649 | 13% |
| Leadership | 20,490 | 12% |
| Detail Oriented | 18,630 | 11% |
| Customer Service | 18,193 | 11% |
| Research | 17,080 | 10% |
| Planning | 16,492 | 10% |
| Information Technology | 15,594 | 9% |
| Innovation | 15,201 | 9% |
| Self-Motivation | 14,693 | 9% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 13,171 | 8% |
| Mathematics | 13,154 | 8% |
| Microsoft Excel | 13,040 | 8% |
| Sales | 12,561 | 8% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 11,577 | 7% |
| Microsoft Office | 10,071 | 6% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Cloud Data Engineers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Data Engineers | 87,022 | 42.1% |
| Database Administrators | 18,364 | 8.9% |
| Salesforce Administrators | 16,816 | 8.1% |
| Data Center Technicians | 15,633 | 7.6% |
| Big Data Engineers | 6,524 | 3.2% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was data engineers, with 40,739 unique job postings. Database administrators were second, with 7,269 postings, followed by salesforce administrators, data center technicians and big data engineers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to cloud data engineers.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Data Engineers | 87,022 | 42.1% |
| Database Administrators | 18,364 | 8.9% |
| Salesforce Administrators | 16,816 | 8.1% |
| Data Center Technicians | 15,633 | 7.6% |
| Big Data Engineers | 6,524 | 3.2% |
| Oracle Database Administrators | 6,528 | 3.2% |
| ETL Developers | 6,161 | 3% |
| SQL Developers | 6,389 | 3.1% |
| Lead Data Engineers | 6,698 | 3.2% |
| SQL Database Administrators | 5,000 | 2.4% |
| Database Developers | 4,741 | 2.3% |
| Technical Specialists | 5,010 | 2.4% |
| Cloud Data Engineers | 3,294 | 1.6% |
| Database Engineers | 3,618 | 1.8% |
| Azure Engineers | 2,615 | 1.3% |
| Database Analysts | 2,944 | 1.4% |
| Data Platform Engineers | 2,643 | 1.3% |
| Informatica Developers | 2,504 | 1.2% |
| Data Integration Engineers | 2,137 | 1% |
| PL/SQL Developers | 2,028 | 1% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for cloud data engineers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for cloud data engineers.
How much do cloud data engineers make?
Cloud Data Engineers: How do you become one?
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