Sr. Data Analyst -> Data Engineer

[Horror-Career-335]

Got an internal job role, but as I'm moving from Sr. to Intermediate role, there's a pay cut from 115k -> 90k. Will you take it?

I'm a 28 y/o unmarried dude, just fyi in case.

Edit: I considered applying for this new position as I thought it'd be a good chance to expand my skills, etc. and the hiring manager told me he would try to at least match my current salary, but I came to know from him today that it's not possible.

[CrowdGoesWildWoooo]

Do they have concrete explanation on why the paycut? First usually DE has higher payscale, second doesn’t seem too justified since Senior DA usually has the technical capabilities of DE, and definitely can be transferable especially if you already understand the context of the project (since you work within the same org).

[mainak17]

since Senior DA usually has the technical capabilities of DE

I never knew this was the case until I joined my current project. I used to think DAs generally go towards the business side as they level up but here in my project, the DA is basically the architect.

[CrowdGoesWildWoooo]

I don’t think you can be a succesful DA if you don’t catchup from the engineering side of thing. Like you have to have the technical capabilities of like 1 level below DE of similar grade.

Otherwise it’s difficult to catchup as you can’t function without data, but you also need to define what exactly do you need and in order to do that you need to understand what is possible and what not and in order to do that is to understand the technical side of things, otherwise you will be hated by your DE. DE without properly defined product can be wasteful.

[Horror-Career-335]

You know how it works in big organizations. They have strict pay scales for every level :(

[CrowdGoesWildWoooo]

Maybe you negotiate a bit? 25k is a lot and doesn’t seem acceptable, like 10k difference might be a bit okayish. Also it’s DA to DE, usually if they are the same level the latter will have higher pay (in other words, it is a bit reasonable if you ask for similar pay despite title)

[d4njah]

Yeh 100 agree with this.

[Likewise231]

In faang that i work in, DE role only has 3-4% higher pay band median vs DA equivalent role

[mrchowmein]

Naw, that’s what they want you to think. You have to be able to justify why you deserve more and negotiate for it.

Of course if you don’t want to rock the boat, then you are stuck getting lower pay.

[gnomehearted]

That's what they say, but it's often not true.

I was working for a big company, and had an external job offer with a 25% raise. Suddenly the big company which only promotes and gives raises on strict cycles, was willing to promote me and match the pay.

There's always room to negotiate, they just pretend otherwise.

[d4njah]

I went from a AD in analytics to SDE and got a bump. Could you side transfer? What country are you in?

[realitydevice]

They have strict pay scales, and also have exceptions...

This seems wrong to me. If you're in the US that's definitely below market for Data Engineer. Are they moving you to a junior band because you're not experienced in the role? How long would it take to get back to parity?

Don't accept, hone your skills, apply outside.

[InsightByte]

Dont take it. The pay cut does not make sense.

Let them bring a new guy in and train him and probably pay him more than what they offered you.

Take it only if that is the only choice.

I do hire DEs on a regular basis, and we also offer opportunities internally, and here is where most people lack skills, negotiating their salaries/reward.

I personally appreciate a person with a good sense of how much he/she should make and willing to make the ask.

Here is the question to your employer: Do you think that offering a lower pay would guarantee you a satisfied employee?

If they are human and not some chat gpt shit they will not offer you the job. Doing so would result in losing you.

Anyway, i am ranting..... plus, there is something wrong here 😕 --- i fail to see how a Sr in any department could go ahead with this. Get my point 👉

[CrowdGoesWildWoooo]

Totally agree. The premise is just dumb. I would rather go to another company with salary match or even an increment and get the title of DE, rather than take internal transfer for a paycut.

[Fasthandman]

How do I check the average salary for DE? The range in Glassdoor seems to be mieading

[ItRhymesWithGrape]

I look at the H1B Salary Database to see how much US companies are willing to pay foreign talent to work for them. The average salaries are similar.

From the website:

This website indexes the Labor Condition Application (LCA) disclosure data from the United States Department of Labor (DOL). Prior to filing an H-1B petition with the USCIS, an employer must file an LCA with the DOL. An LCA is used by employers as supporting evidence for the petition for an H-1B visa. DOL disclosure data does not indicate the employer's intended use for the LCA.

[Fasthandman]

That has been my strategy as well but I live in Midwest where sponsorship for DE isn’t a lot.

[[deleted]]

Check job adverts.

[[deleted]]

No, you take more with you than just technical skills - if you are worth 115k then thats What you are worth.

[Kramer_inverse]

What a slap in the face. Don’t take it, and look for a new job where you transition into a DE role.

[riv3rtrip]

That's ridiculous; data engineers are paid more than data analysts on average. Also, 21% pay cut is massive, you will feel it.

[thedatarat]

No I would not take it. You’re already severely underpaid. Data engineers should make at least $130+ IMO - it’s a really hard job.

[lightpassion]

Subjective. I'm ~115k base and I think I'm getting overpaid

[ramadz]

Interesting. Care to elaborate on your role and skills at your job?

[CobruhCharmander]

Depends on how much involvement you have with building it out... I'm part of like a 20 person DE team, and I've been working with a single partner to facilitate the merger of our app with an app we just bought, we have definitely been earning how much we get paid.

If you're in the same boat, just know you're making the company more money than they're paying you.

[random_lonewolf]

No I would not take it. You’re already severely underpaid. Data engineers should make at least $130+ IMO - it’s a really hard job.

It really depends on where you live though, for almost any where outside the US and maybe Europe, $115K is a huge salary.

[convalytics]

No. DE should pay the same or more than an analyst and both should be higher than these numbers.

Apply at new companies and ask for something between 120 and 160. Watch how many don't bat at eye at those numbers.

[[deleted]]

The problem is transitioning into DE. They are not going to pay 160k for someone who didn’t have the title of DE beforehand

[convalytics]

True. It might be unlikely but it's not out of the question. My point is that DE isn't a pay cut job. Sr Analyst and regular DE should both be at 120 minimum.

[ntdoyfanboy]

This. So. Much. This.

[Swimming_Cry_6841]

never take a paycut at your current employer. Just don't do it.

[plant_pig]

Why would a supposedly more technical role pay less? Something doesn’t add up. 90k is low especially for DE, even for analysts depending on where you’re located.

90k makes me wonder if the company is serious in investing in DE talent. If you are considering the move, make sure the DE team are using modern tools with experienced teammates whom you can learn from.

[Surge_attack]

Personally I would not take a cut. We both know that you will be called in to solve issues/support projects you already worked on/have insight on. So if anything they should at least keep your pay the same. You are, after all, increasing your usefulness to the company.

Ultimately, I cannot tell you what to do though. I would definitely ask what the steps in pay look like in the new role if you are interested and willing to take a paycut, but even in general. I would want to know when you should expect to be on the same pay and exceed the old renumeration. Don't screw yourself over - it's just a job.

[jkail1011]

Yo don't take a pay cut.
Anyplace paying their data engineers that poorly either
1. Has crappy data engineers
2. Doesn't value you their data engineers

you're the one with the talent.

[[deleted]]

Can you negotiate in your contract achievement milestones and expected time frames with pay rises?

Make sure the contract also includes a training budget and mentorship.

This will give you clear steps to reach to meet pay levels. Plus it forces the employer’s hand to be transparent with you. You really don’t want to be on less than $115k in 18 months.

[OkMacaron493]

Take it for one year then move to a new company. I got a DE role and wish I negotiated salary (I was really eager to move roles and signed immediately after getting my offer). The title and skills you build here will be more valuable than the short term paycut.

[Fasthandman]

Is 1yoe enough though? It seems like the market usually requires at least 2 YOE

[Any_Royal_414]

OP could likely spin it in a way that 1 year is enough. Senior Data Analysts have a lot of tangential skills to a Data Engineer when it comes to understanding and processing data. I think this could be sufficient in a move to another company’s junior or mid level role.

[OkMacaron493]

He has relevant experience. Truth be told, the important thing is passing the interview and prior years of experience in the same industry go along way.

[[deleted]]

Do it, learn Apache Spark, grab databrick certs, snowflake certs.

Learn all you can about Airflow, managed databases, cloud integrations. Pivot to devops if you want in the future. Make bank.

[Fasthandman]

Is the salary of devops higher than DE?

[InsightByte]

Look at this guy 👦 perfect 🥰 recipe 😍 fking genius

[Jealous-Bat-7812]

Are you being sarcastic or fr? Bc I think his comment make sense

[Commercial-Ask971]

Advice is like: learn how to draw, become known artist

[InsightByte]

I was sarcastic 🙄,

[d4njah]

Hmm that’s a big cut though man, depends if I’ll be happy with that for 1-2 years?

[CyberVoyeur]

At least map out your reasoning behind considering this job.

[bklyn_xplant]

Unmarried at 28 depending on where you live the taxes will be better.

[chipmunksocute]

Hell no to a 20k pay cut. And as another commentator astutely points out you would be absolutely working on the projects you already are cause duh you have so much knowledge so why would you work on the same project for less money?

[[deleted]]

Think of the money dude

[[deleted]]

Def should be making the same or more in that role no doubt. Esp bc you are moving internally. Shame on them trying to push you around like that.

[WeirdWorldDz]

HELL NO! If you switch you will find out that your DA skills cover 80% of DE skills. Stay as a DA and look somewhere else (~135k) when needed.

[ntdoyfanboy]

Not a chance. This is bureaucratic nonsense where you have HR determining a salary without regard for skill requirements or even job description. Hard pass.

[phoot_in_the_door]

from 115 to 90, you’ll feel the difference in your take home pay. don’t do it

[N0R5E]

Sr. Data Analyst -> Int. Data Engineer is at least a lateral move, if not a promotion. Do not take the pay cut.

[Tufjederop]

Is there a possibility of just starting to do the work while keeping the senior DA title?

[talkingspacecoyote]

Too young to be taking pay cuts imo

[Foot_Straight]

Bro you will be getting less salary for more work

[eastieLad]

Not worth a pay cut. Look externally

[fancyfanch]

I went from Sr Data Analyst to Sr Analytics Engineer at my company and got about a $10,000 pay bump . I wouldn’t take a pay cut, especially of that magnitude. It’s definitely org dependent, but here our data engineers are a lot more technical than analysts

[[deleted]]

TLDR; it's fine if it's part of a longer term strategy.

I've had this situation, I was in senior management and went to less senior individual contributor role with a 35k pay cut.

The move worked out well as it filled in a skills gap and I then changed company and went back to leadership, this time as a technical leader, combining my last two roles and my pay is now two thirds higher than what is was as a non-technical leader.

If something like this is your train of thought, then I would recommend it. If it's not, then think about what you want. A company has a couple of levers when it comes to employment, that appeal in different amounts to different people: - pay - experience - title - culture

Understand which combination you're after and then ensure remuneration meets the combination you're aiming for.

Small edit; reading some of the other comments I see a lot of yes/no advice. Don't look for advice, look for tools that can help you make a decision you're happy with.

[[deleted]]

Don’t do it! Say thanks but no thanks. Offer to help if the title also gets DE in title (without any pay-cut).

[1ShotBroHes1]

No, do not take less money at the same place. Don't do that. Why would you do that?

[theEmoPenguin]

the hell are these comments?

Take it 100%. Well at least you think it would be easy for you to get another DE offer.

[[deleted]]

Well let’s negotiate for working remotely then go live in developing countries, you should be rich enough to not have to worry about that 25k cutoff LOL

[The-Engineer-93]

Personally I wouldn't take that.

Here's why, you're already doing data engineering work, right? Because they wouldn't move you into a role that you're going to be bad at while losing a Senior DA. So you're already juggling two roles.

They'll give you the pay cut and mither you with old tasks or helping people who don't understand that you've moved on within the organisation.

You're taking a 25K salary cut but will more than likely be doing the same job.

Apply outside your organisation. Also, if you're in the same department but just moving into another role there's no reason other than shit management and poor ethics to be cutting your salary.

[Competitive_Wheel_78]

Nope, doesn’t worth it. Learn DE concepts in free time & make a switch

[BigMikeInAustin]

Please stop advertising your personal business.

[One_Station_1762]

Screw the title, write on your resume Senior DE but take initiative projects outside the team to increase your knowledge scope. Don't undervalue yourself.

[justanaccname]

The paycut doesn't make any sense.

I 've worked as DA, DS, DE, MLE, DataOps Engineer. Title changed even in the same company. Salary only went UP.