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Database Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Showing results 41-60

Database Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$62.3K

$125.8K

$172.6K

How much do database engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for database engineer in Chicago, IL is $125,793.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $144,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a database engineer?

As a database engineer, you work to develop and maintain data solutions and information systems for a company in any industry that requires processing and storage of large amounts of information, including healthcare providers or financial service firms. Because you often deal with sensitive data, you must be familiar with appropriate data protection and encryption processes, as well as relevant regulatory frameworks like HIPAA.

What does a database engineer do?

A Database Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining databases that store and organize data for organizations. They ensure that databases are reliable, secure, and optimized for performance. Their duties often include developing database architecture, writing scripts to automate tasks, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with other IT professionals. Database Engineers play a key role in managing large volumes of data and supporting business operations through data integrity and availability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a database engineer?

To thrive as a Database Engineer, you need expertise in database design, management, and optimization, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with database platforms like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, or SQL Server, as well as experience with tools such as SQL, ETL processes, and relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate) are typical requirements. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with developers and stakeholders. These skills are crucial for ensuring data integrity, system performance, and supporting business operations through reliable data management.

What are some common challenges faced by database engineers when working with large-scale databases?

Database Engineers working with large-scale databases often encounter challenges such as optimizing query performance, ensuring data consistency across distributed systems, and managing database scalability as data volumes grow. They also need to implement robust backup and recovery solutions to minimize downtime in case of failures. Collaborating closely with application developers and system administrators is essential to address these challenges and maintain database reliability and security.

What is the difference between Database Engineer vs Database Administrator?

AspectDatabase EngineerDatabase Administrator
Primary RoleDesigns, develops, and implements database systems and solutionsMaintains, monitors, and manages existing databases for performance and security
Skills & CertificationsSQL, database design, scripting, certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator AssociateSQL, backup and recovery, security, certifications like Oracle Certified Professional
Work EnvironmentOften involved in development teams, working on new database solutionsTypically in operations teams, ensuring database stability and performance
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, healthcare, where database design is neededOrganizations requiring ongoing database management and support

While both roles work with databases, Database Engineers focus on designing and building new database systems, whereas Database Administrators manage and maintain existing databases to ensure optimal performance and security.

Are database engineers in demand?

Database engineers are in high demand due to the increasing reliance on data management and storage across industries. They often require skills in SQL, database design, and familiarity with tools like Oracle, MySQL, or PostgreSQL, making their expertise valuable in many organizations. The role is expected to grow as data-driven decision-making becomes more critical.

What are the most commonly searched types of Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Database Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Database Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,793 per year, or $60.5 per hour.

Senior Graph Database Developer

Long Finch Technologies

Norridge, IL โ€ข Hybrid

Contractor

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Job title: Senior Graph Database Developer

Work Location: Chicago, IL, 60606(Hybrid )

Duration: 6+ Months Contract
Experience Level: 10+ Years

Visa: Visa Independent Only

Job Description:
Must Have Skills
Amazon Neptune Graph Database, SPARQL
Data Engineering / ETL Pipelines
GraphRAG
Nice to have skills
Gen AI integration, Python  Backend API Development
Detailed Job Description
Education Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Architecture, or a related field.
Graph Databases Extensive hands on experience designing and managing production scale instances of Amazon Neptune.
Graph languages, specifically Gremlin or SPARQL.
Programming Advanced production coding in Python or JVM environments Java, Scala.
Cloud Infrastructure Strong proficiency with AWS Services e.g., AWS S3, Amazon RDS, Amazon ECS
Top 3 responsibilities you would expect the Subcon to shoulder and execute
Design enterprise ontologies, taxonomies, and graph schemas that reflect complex business structures.
Architect, configure, and scale Amazon Neptune database environments to handle billions of relationships.
Integrate knowledge graphs into GraphRAG pipelines to enhance contextual grounding and minimize AI hallucinations. Partner with AI teams to implement hybrid search architectures combining graph traversals with vector databases.

If Interested, please share your updated resume along with Work Authorization status and Current Location at: