ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Data Engineer Entry Level Jobs in Columbia, MD (NOW HIRING)

i3

Principal Data Scientist

Washington, DC · On-site

... Data Engineer Associate o AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate o AWS AI Practitioner ... Professional o Python (Entry Level / Associate / Professional) Apply Now Refer to a Friend ...

Battelle

Junior Test Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$65K - $93K/yr

Responsibilities As a Test Engineer - Entry Level, the selected individual will assist senior ... Supporting test engineers in test planning, test execution methodology, data collection, data ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsData Engineer JobsData Engineer Entry Level JobsData Engineer Entry Level Jobs in Columbia, MD

Data Engineer Entry Level information

See Columbia, MD salary details

$43.8K

$127.7K

$174.7K

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

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer entry level in Columbia, MD is $127,684.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,700.00 and $135,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 Columbia, MD?

The most popular types of Data Engineer jobs in Columbia, MD are:

What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Columbia, MD?

For Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Columbia, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Columbia, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Data Engineer Entry Level jobs in Columbia, MD are:

What cities near Columbia, MD are hiring for Data Engineer Entry Level jobs?

Cities near Columbia, MD with the most Data Engineer Entry Level job openings:

Data Engineer Entry Level jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Engineer Entry Level job openings in Columbia, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,684 per year, or $61.4 per hour.

Data Scientist/Data Engineer - Junior (Remote)

SynergisticIT

Rockville, MD • On-site

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Data Career Starter — From Spreadsheets to SQL, Python, and Dashboards If you enjoy working with spreadsheets, reports, patterns, and business questions, a data career may be a natural next step. But to compete for data roles, candidates need to move beyond basic reporting and show technical ability with SQL, Python, dashboards, and data storytelling. SynergisticIT is looking for candidates interested in data analytics, SQL, Python, Excel, Tableau, Power BI, data cleaning, visualization, reporting, and business insights. This opportunity is ideal for recent graduates, career switchers, and professionals who want to move from business operations into data-focused roles. Since 2010, we’ve helped thousands of candidates land full-time jobs at tech leaders like Google, Apple, PayPal, Visa, Western Union, Wells Fargo, Intel, Paypal, JPMC, Wayfair, BOA, CITI and hundreds more with Job offers of $95k to $154k. Synergisticit focuses on closing the gap between your tech skills and what employers want now. Currently, We are looking for entry-level software programmers, Java Full stack developers, Python/Java developers, Data analysts/Data Engineers/ Data Scientists, Machine Learning engineers for full time positions with clients. We Focus on Java /Full stack/Devops and Data Science /Data Engineers/Data analysts/BI Analysts/ Machine learning/AI candidates Ideal Candidates: Recent grads in CS, Engineering, Math, or Statistics with limited or no job experience Jobseekers who had layoffs due to Downsizing and want to get in demand tech stack Professionals seeking a career switch to tech Candidates with career gaps or lacking real-world experience Individuals looking to boost their skill portfolio for better job prospects Computer Science grads with limited or no job experience Students who recently finished their Bachelor’s or Master’s programs Those struggling to land interviews despite having experience · Please check below links: · Event videos (OCW, JavaOne, Gartner): https://fast.wistia.com/embed/channel/k4mlq69ekl USA Today feature Discover JOPP: https://www.synergisticit.com/jopp/ Contact: https://www.synergisticit.com/contact-us/ · · 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/ SynergisticIT JOPP is good for data career starters because it helps structure the transition. Candidates can strengthen tool knowledge, build practical projects, prepare for interviews, and position their background in a way that makes sense to hiring managers. Instead of only saying you are interested in data, you can work toward showing proof. Turn your analytical mindset into a data career path—Contact us 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.

Apply