Data Engineer vs Autonomous Systems Engineer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Data Engineer
Build and maintain data pipelines, warehouses, and ETL infrastructure.
Autonomous Systems Engineer
Develop perception, planning, and control systems for autonomous vehicles and drones.
Autonomous Systems Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $15,186/year (11%) higher than a Data Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Data Engineer vs Autonomous Systems Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Data Engineer | Autonomous Systems Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $202,499 | $227,579 | Data $25,080 |
| New York, NY | $131,540 | $135,300 | Data $3,760 |
| Seattle, WA | $105,430 | $225,151 | Data $119,721 |
| Austin, TX | $153,836 | $173,358 | Data $19,522 |
| Chicago, IL | $154,010 | $166,278 | Data $12,268 |
| Boston, MA | $179,962 | $196,361 | Data $16,399 |
| London, UK | £108,711 | £122,075 | Data $13,364 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$181,115 | CA$202,448 | Data $21,333 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Data Engineer or Autonomous Systems Engineer earn more?+
A Autonomous Systems Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Data Engineer is $139,500/year, compared to $154,686/year for a Autonomous Systems Engineer — a difference of $15,186 (11%).
Which has better career growth — Data Engineer or Autonomous Systems Engineer?+
Data Engineer roles are growing at 34% YoY while Autonomous Systems Engineer demand is growing at 42% YoY. Autonomous Systems Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Data Engineer to Autonomous Systems Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Python.
Which is harder to automate — Data Engineer or Autonomous Systems Engineer?+
Autonomous Systems Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (20% vs 42%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.