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Freelance Data Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Solomon Page

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65 - $80/hr

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Data Engineer to support Phase 0 data discovery, profiling ... freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve. About Solomon Page Founded in 1990 ...

1000heads

Freelance Insights Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$300 - $400/day

From designing mouth-watering data visualizations, keeping our clients up-to-date with the latest ... engineering social listening exercises into cultural trends, our actionable insights are at the ...

1000heads

Freelance Insights Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$300 - $400/day

From designing mouth-watering data visualizations, keeping our clients up-to-date with the latest ... engineering social listening exercises into cultural trends, our actionable insights are at the ...

1000heads

Freelance Insights Manager

Chicago, IL

$300 - $400/day

From designing mouth-watering data visualizations, keeping our clients up-to-date with the latest ... engineering social listening exercises into cultural trends, our actionable insights are at the ...

1000heads

Freelance Insights Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$300 - $400/day

From designing mouth-watering data visualizations, keeping our clients up-to-date with the latest ... engineering social listening exercises into cultural trends, our actionable insights are at the ...

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All JobsData Engineer JobsFreelance Data Engineer JobsFreelance Data Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Freelance Data Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$45.8K

$133.6K

$182.9K

How much do freelance data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance data engineer in Chicago, IL is $133,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,000.00 and $141,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance data engineer?

A Freelance Data Engineer is a self-employed professional who designs, builds, and maintains data systems for clients on a project basis. They work with databases, ETL pipelines, cloud platforms, and big data technologies to ensure efficient data storage and processing. Unlike full-time employees, freelancers have the flexibility to choose projects, set their own schedules, and work remotely. They may collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and engineers to ensure seamless data flow. Freelance Data Engineers need strong technical skills in SQL, Python, Spark, and cloud services like AWS, GCP, or Azure.

What types of projects and clients can a freelance data engineer expect to work with?

Freelance Data Engineers often work on diverse projects ranging from building custom data pipelines and automating workflows to migrating databases or developing data integration solutions for businesses of all sizes. Clients can include startups looking to build new data infrastructure, e-commerce companies seeking analytics solutions, or established enterprises aiming to modernize their data systems. Most projects require close collaboration with data scientists, analysts, or software engineering teams, and the scope can vary from short-term assignments to ongoing support. Freelancing provides flexibility to choose projects that match your expertise and interests, as well as opportunities to gain experience across multiple industries.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Data Engineer, you need strong programming skills (in languages like Python or Scala), in-depth knowledge of data modeling and ETL processes, and a solid background in databases and cloud platforms. Familiarity with tools such as Apache Spark, Hadoop, SQL, AWS, or Google Cloud, as well as relevant certifications like AWS Certified Data Analytics, is highly beneficial. Strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills help you collaborate with clients and adapt to changing project requirements. These abilities are crucial for efficiently delivering tailored data solutions and building a reputable freelance business.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Data Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Freelance Data Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Freelance Data Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Freelance Data Engineer job openings:

Freelance Data Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Data Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 66% In-person, and 34% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,627 per year, or $64.2 per hour.

Senior Data Engineer

Solomon Page

Chicago, IL • On-site

$65 - $80/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Senior Data Engineer to support Phase 0 data discovery, profiling, mapping, and engineering handoff activities for a large-scale customer data and marketing transformation initiative. This role will work closely with Data Strategists, Solution Architects, and business stakeholders to analyze enterprise data sources, define canonical data models, and prepare high-quality engineering deliverables for implementation in Databricks. The ideal candidate has strong expertise in Databricks, SQL, Python, and AWS, along with experience in data modeling, data quality, and customer identity management.
  • Rate Range: $65-80/hr on W2

Responsibilities:
  • Inventory priority source systems, entities, identifiers, fields, relationships, and data quality issues.
  • Perform data discovery, profiling, and analysis across enterprise data sources.
  • Assess data completeness, duplicate patterns, freshness, lineage, conflicts, and source reliability.
  • Develop source-to-target mappings for the canonical marketing data model.
  • Translate identity resolution rules, survivorship logic, source hierarchy, field ownership, account relationships, and exception handling into engineering-ready documentation.
  • Document data gaps, assumptions, dependencies, risks, and unresolved issues for engineering teams.
  • Define data quality thresholds, acceptance criteria, match confidence metrics, and engineering handoff requirements.
  • Collaborate with Data Strategists, Solution Architects, and client engineering teams to ensure successful implementation in Databricks.
  • Support data engineering best practices and contribute to scalable, high-quality data solutions.

Required Qualifications:
  • 7+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Data Integration, or Data Warehousing.
  • Strong hands-on experience with Databricks, SQL, Python, and AWS.
  • Experience with data profiling, data discovery, and source system analysis.
  • Strong understanding of data modeling, source-to-target mapping, and data transformation.
  • Experience documenting engineering requirements and preparing implementation-ready technical artifacts.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder collaboration abilities.

Required Skills:
  • Databricks
  • SQL
  • Python
  • AWS
  • Data Discovery & Profiling
  • Source-to-Target Mapping
  • Data Modeling
  • Data Quality Assessment
  • Customer Identity Resolution
  • Data Lineage
  • Requirements Documentation
  • Stakeholder Collaboration

Technical Skills:
  • Databricks
  • SQL
  • Python
  • AWS
  • CRM Data
  • Eloqua
  • Marketing Data Models
  • Data Mapping
  • Data Quality & Validation
  • Identity Resolution
  • ETL/ELT Concepts

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with customer data platforms (CDPs) or marketing data ecosystems.
  • Knowledge of identity resolution, golden record, and master data management concepts.
  • Experience working with enrichment platforms, analytics data, web data, event data, or 6Sense.
  • Experience supporting enterprise marketing or customer analytics initiatives.

If you meet the required qualifications and are interested in this role, please apply today.
The Solomon Page Distinction
Solomon Page offers a comprehensive benefit program for hourly employees. We pride ourselves on offering medical, dental, 401(k), direct deposit and commuter benefits to our employees, including freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve.
About Solomon Page
Founded in 1990, Solomon Page is a specialty niche provider of staffing and executive search solutions across a wide array of functions and industries. The success of Solomon Page reflects an organic growth strategy supported by a highly entrepreneurial culture. Acting as a strategic partner to our clients and candidates, we focus on providing customized solutions and building long-term relationships based on trust, respect, and the consistent delivery of excellent results. For more information and additional opportunities, visit: solomonpage.com and connect with us on Facebook , and LinkedIn .
Opportunity Awaits.
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