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Data Automation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Data Automation Specialist Harper is an AI-native commercial insurance company in San Francisco. We're not bolting AI onto insurance - we're rebuilding the entire business as software, on a simple ...

Seeking a Senior Specialist with 7 to 11 years of experience in Data Test Automation specializing in qData testing to enhance data quality and automation processes Design develop and maintain ...

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How much do data automation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for data automation in California is $45.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.25 and $65.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is data automation?

Data automation in a job context involves using software tools and scripts to automatically collect, process, and manage data, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency. Data automation specialists often work with programming languages, databases, and automation platforms to streamline data workflows and ensure accuracy.

What are typical responsibilities of a Data Automation professional on a day-to-day basis?

Data Automation professionals are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining automated workflows that process, cleanse, and move large sets of data across various platforms. On a daily basis, they may create scripts, monitor data pipelines, troubleshoot integration issues, and optimize processes for better efficiency. They frequently collaborate with data analysts, engineers, and business teams to ensure that automated systems align with company goals and provide accurate, timely data. This dynamic environment allows for continuous learning and contributes significantly to data-driven decision-making within organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Data Automation position, and why are they important?

To excel in Data Automation, you generally need strong analytical skills, fluency with data manipulation, and a background in computer science, data engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as Python, SQL, ETL platforms, and automation frameworks, as well as relevant certifications like Certified Data Professional (CDP), is highly valued. Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are essential soft skills for this role. These qualifications enable professionals to efficiently streamline data processes, reduce manual errors, and deliver reliable, scalable solutions for business intelligence.

What is a Data Automation job?

A Data Automation job involves designing, developing, and maintaining automated systems to collect, process, and analyze data efficiently. Professionals in this role use programming, scripting, and data integration tools to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort. They work with databases, ETL processes, APIs, and automation frameworks to ensure data accuracy and accessibility. The goal is to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enable data-driven decision-making. This role is common in industries such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and technology.

What is the highest paying data job?

The highest paying data jobs typically include Data Engineering Manager, Data Architect, and Chief Data Officer roles, which often require advanced skills in data architecture, leadership, and experience with tools like cloud platforms and big data technologies. These positions can offer salaries exceeding $150,000 annually, depending on industry and location.

Is AI automation a good career?

AI automation is a growing field with increasing demand for professionals skilled in data automation, machine learning, and programming. Careers in this area often require knowledge of tools like Python, R, and automation platforms, and can offer opportunities in various industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology. It is considered a promising career path due to ongoing technological advancements and the expanding role of AI in business processes.
What are the most commonly searched types of Data Automation jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Automation jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Data Automation jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Data Automation jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Data Automation job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,122 per year, or $45.7 per hour.

Data Automation Specialist

Harper Group

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Data Automation Specialist
Harper is an AI-native commercial insurance company in San Francisco. We're not bolting AI onto insurance - we're rebuilding the entire business as software, on a simple bet: turning expert human judgment into compute is one of the largest transitions left to make, and a trillion-dollar industry still run 90% by hand is the place to prove it. We've grown ~100x in the last year and we move at that speed - on-site, in person, long days, very high standards. Almost no one joins Harper for insurance; they join to build the company that replaces how it works.
The role
Data is only valuable if people can use it - and most teams can't, because the gap between raw data and actionable signal is filled with manual work nobody has time for. You close that gap. You build the automations, agents, and AI-powered workflows that take the outputs of Harper's data systems and make them legible, timely, and immediately actionable for everyone on the team. You'll spend real time in AI tools - building agents, designing prompts, orchestrating workflows - and you treat automation not as a nice-to-have but as the only way to scale a high-velocity growth operation.
You're a builder who lives at the intersection of data, AI, and automation. You're not a data engineer building pipelines from scratch, and you're not a data analyst running queries - you're the person who takes what's already flowing and makes it work for the humans who need it. You're fluent in AI tools and modern automation platforms, comfortable writing code when the situation calls for it, and you have a builder's instinct for the workflows that should never require human effort. You report to the Head of Marketing and collaborate across the GTM, growth, and operations teams. Winning in 6-12 months looks like the whole team moving faster because you built the systems that remove friction from data at every step.
What you'll do
  • Build data automations. Design and implement automated workflows that surface insights, trigger alerts, and route information to the right people at the right time - without anyone having to ask.
  • Develop AI agents. Use modern AI tooling to build agents that monitor, summarize, and interpret data outputs, cutting the manual work required to turn data into action.
  • Create operational dashboards and feeds. Build lightweight, automated reporting that gives the team an always-current view of performance - no manual refresh required.
  • Identify and eliminate manual data work. Audit how the team interacts with data today, find the repetitive manual steps, and replace them with automated systems.
  • Maintain and improve automation infrastructure. Own the reliability and performance of what you build, and iterate as data systems and team needs evolve.
  • Partner with the data and growth teams. Work closely with the GTM Engineer and Data Analyst to understand what data exists and where automation adds the most leverage.

Who you are
  • You've built automations that genuinely changed how a team operates - not just connected two tools together.
  • You're fluent in at least one major AI development environment and have built real agents or AI-powered workflows, not just prototypes.
  • You have a builder's instinct: when you see a manual process, your first thought is how to eliminate it.
  • You're comfortable writing Python or working with APIs when no-code tools reach their limits.
  • You think about the end user of every automation you build - not just whether it works, but whether it's actually useful.
  • You can move from idea to working prototype quickly, and you know when to polish and when to ship.
  • You're based in San Francisco or willing to relocate.

The reality - read this before you apply
This is a builder's seat, measured by how much faster you make the team - not by automations shipped or tools connected. It's on-site in San Francisco, in person, long days, high standards. The data systems and team needs keep changing underneath you, which means the automations you own have to keep working, and when one breaks or goes stale, that's yours to find and fix - usually the same day. You'll work open-ended problems with little spec, so the job is as much judgment about what's worth automating as it is the building itself.
This isn't a place to wire up integrations no one uses, and it isn't a pipeline-engineering or pure-analyst role. Almost no one takes it for insurance - they take it because building the AI-powered automation layer for a company growing ~100x, where automation is a real competitive advantage, is a rare seat. If making a team measurably faster is the appeal, apply. If it's a deterrent, it won't get easier here.
Compensation & logistics
  • Salary: $120,000-$160,000, plus performance bonus and equity.
  • Location: On-site, San Francisco. Based here or willing to relocate.
  • Schedule: Monday-Friday, long days, in the building with the team.

Benefits
  • Uber commuter benefits
  • Meals provided - breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Snacks, drinks, and coffee stocked daily
  • Free gym membership
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance

Requirements
  • 3+ years of experience in automation, data operations, or a technical marketing/growth operations role
  • Hands-on experience building workflows in automation platforms (Zapier, Make, n8n, or comparable)
  • Demonstrated experience building with AI tools and LLM APIs to create agents, summaries, or AI-powered workflows
  • Working knowledge of Python or another scripting language for tasks that require custom logic
  • Familiarity with data outputs from marketing and analytics platforms; comfortable reading and transforming structured data
  • Strong problem-solving instincts and the ability to work autonomously on open-ended technical challenges

Nice to have
  • Experience building agents using modern AI frameworks (LangChain, CrewAI, or comparable)
  • Background working alongside data engineers or analysts to understand and extend data pipelines
  • Familiarity with marketing analytics stacks and GTM data flows
  • Experience with prompt engineering and workflow design for LLM-based systems
  • Exposure to a high-growth startup environment where automation was a competitive advantage

Process
  • People screen - fit and alignment
  • Lead screen - skills and judgment
  • Super day - how you operate in real time

To apply
Send your resume and a description of an automation or AI agent you built - the problem it solved, and how you built it.