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Data Engineer Entry Level Jobs in Champaign, IL (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Entry Level Engineer Department: Civil/Municipal Employment Type: Full Time Location: Champaign, IL ... You will work with clients to obtain data or share information. We promote a team environment, so ...

You will work with clients to obtain data or share information. We promote a team environment, so ... for engineers looking to grow beyond the typical entry-level experience. Over six months ...

Staff Engineer

Champaign, IL · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on ... adjust and correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results, and follow standard office ...

... the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on ... Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, adjust and correlate data ...

Data Engineer Entry Level information

See Champaign, IL salary details

$44.6K

$129.9K

$177.8K

How much do data engineer entry level jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer entry level in Champaign, IL is $129,906.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,700.00 and $137,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical projects or tasks that entry-level data engineers work on during their first year?

As an entry-level data engineer, you can expect to work on tasks such as building and maintaining data pipelines, cleaning and transforming raw data, and supporting the integration of different data sources. You'll often collaborate with data analysts and more senior engineers to ensure data is accurate, accessible, and well-documented. Early projects might include automating data extraction processes, setting up basic ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) workflows, or optimizing database queries. These foundational responsibilities help build the technical and teamwork skills essential for career growth in data engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Data Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Data Engineer, you need foundational knowledge in programming (such as Python or SQL), data structures, and database management, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with ETL tools, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), and version control systems is typically expected. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with teams and adapt to evolving data needs. These skills ensure accurate data processing, efficient pipeline development, and successful integration within data-driven organizations.

What does a Data Engineer Entry Level do?

An entry-level data engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining systems that allow organizations to collect, store, and analyze large amounts of data. They typically work with databases, data pipelines, and cloud platforms to ensure data is accessible and reliable for analysis. Entry-level data engineers often assist with cleaning and transforming raw data, automating data workflows, and supporting data scientists and analysts. They also learn best practices in data security and performance optimization as they gain experience.

What is the difference between Data Engineer Entry Level vs Data Analyst Entry Level?

AspectData Engineer Entry LevelData Analyst Entry Level
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, IT, or related field; some certifications (e.g., Google Cloud, AWS)Bachelor's in Statistics, Math, or related field; certifications like Microsoft Data Analyst
Work EnvironmentFocus on building data pipelines, databases, and infrastructureFocus on interpreting data, creating reports, and visualizations
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, healthcare, where data infrastructure is keyBusiness intelligence, marketing, finance, and consulting firms

While both roles involve working with data, Data Engineer Entry Level focuses on developing and maintaining data infrastructure, whereas Data Analyst Entry Level emphasizes analyzing data to generate insights. Both roles require strong technical skills and are essential in data-driven organizations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL? The most popular types of Data Engineer jobs in Champaign, IL are:
What job categories do people searching Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Champaign, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Champaign, IL are:
What cities near Champaign, IL are hiring for Data Engineer Entry Level jobs? Cities near Champaign, IL with the most Data Engineer Entry Level job openings:
Infographic showing various Data Engineer Entry Level job openings in Champaign, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,906 per year, or $62.5 per hour.
Data Scientist/Data Engineer - Junior (Remote)

Data Scientist/Data Engineer - Junior (Remote)

SynergisticIT

Champaign, IL • On-site

Other

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Your Resume Isn’t the Problem — Your Positioning Is No Interviews or no Offers Isn’t for a Lack of Experience. It’s for the Lack of a relevant Updated Tech stack! Most job seekers blame their resume when they don’t get interviews, but the real issue is positioning. Employers want candidates who demonstrate practical skills, confidence, and readiness. SynergisticIT helps you build that profile through hands‑on training, real projects, and personalized interview coaching. The program also markets your resume directly to Fortune 500 companies ensuring your profile reaches real decision‑makers. Whether you’re a recent graduate, someone with a career gap, or a laid‑off developer, We help you present yourself as a strong, capable candidate. When you’re positioned correctly, opportunities open up. If you’re getting interviews but not offers, you’re closer than you think—and that’s the most frustrating stage to be in. You’ve already proven you’re employable enough to get screened, but something breaks during technical rounds: data structures, problem-solving, system design, project explanations, or even the way you communicate tradeoffs. Most candidates don’t fail because they’re “not smart.” They fail because they prepared the wrong way—watching tutorials on youtube, doing coursework on udemy/Courserra, building shallow projects, or memorizing answers without mastering fundamentals. SynergisticIT’s approach is built for this exact scenario. Since 2010, SynergisticIT has helped candidates move from “almost” to “offer,” with our candidates landing salaries typically ranging from $90,000 to $154,000 depending on role and stack. Candidates have received offers from employers such as Apple, Google, PayPal, Visa, Wells Fargo, Intel, Citi, JPMC, Walmart Labs, AutoZone, Deloitte, Bank of America, and more. SynergisticIT works with clients hiring for entry-level software programmers, Java full stack developers, Python/Java developers, data analysts, data engineers, data scientists, and machine learning engineers. The focus is on high-demand tracks: Java / Full Stack / DevOps and Data (Analytics/Engineering/Science) + Machine Learning/AI. Interview success improves when you can demonstrate not only coding ability, but also the “end-to-end” thinking employers want: APIs, backend design, database decisions, cloud deployment, CI/CD, and real project narratives. Please read our blogs Ideal candidates for interview-focused support include: recent grads with limited experience, candidates stuck after multiple interviews, professionals returning after layoffs, candidates with career gaps. SynergisticIT also supports the candidate journey by assisting with STEM extension and providing process support for H-1B/green card filing through employment partners (actual filing depends on the employer). Explore resources and get started on your Journey to get Hired: please read our blogs · Why do Tech Companies not Hire recent Computer Science Graduates | https://www.synergisticit.com/why-tech-companies-dont-hire-recent-cs-graduates/ · Technical Skills or Experience? | Which one is important to get a Job? | https://www.synergisticit.com/tech-skill-or-experience-which-one-is-more-important-for-a-jobseeker/ Please check below links: Synergisticit Industry Event videos (OCW, JavaOne, Gartner data Analytics): https://fast.wistia.com/embed/channel/k4mlq69ekl USA Today feature Discover JOPP: https://www.synergisticit.com/jopp/ Contact: https://www.synergisticit.com/contact-us/ If you’re tired of being “final round” without the offer, stop guessing and start preparing with a plan. Please note: Resume databases are shared with clients and interested clients will reach out directly if they find a qualified candidate for their req. Resume submissions may be shared with our JOPP team database also. Please unsubscribe if contacted or if you don’t want to be contacted please don’t submit your resume.