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Freelance Data Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Surecall Tech

Data Engineer (San Francisco)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$133K - $160K/yr

... Data Engineering Roles on the Market Right Now We're partnered with a fast-scaling, product-led ... Training (Freelance, Remote) San Francisco, CA $170,000.00-$210,000.00 2 months ago Software ...

Solomon Page

Manager Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90/hr

We're looking for a Manager, Data Engineering with deep Big Data expertise to design, develop, and ... freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve. About Solomon Page Founded in 1990 ...

Solomon Page

Lead Data Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $161K/yr

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in modern data engineering, cloud-native ... freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve. About Solomon Page Founded in 1990 ...

Solomon Page

Data Engineer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$60 - $65/hr

Lead technical design sessions, perform code reviews, and mentor engineering team members ... freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve. About Solomon Page Founded in 1990 ...

AKQA

Freelance Senior Copywriter

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$2.6K - $3.4K/wk

Collaborate closely with UX designers, product managers, strategists, and engineers to ensure copy ... We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next ...

1000heads

Freelance Insights Manager

Los Angeles, CA · 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

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$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 ...

Solomon Page

Technical Program Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

Ensure alignment across Data Engineering, AI/ML, Infrastructure, and Business Intelligence teams ... freelancers - which sets us apart in the industries we serve. About Solomon Page Founded in 1990 ...

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Freelance Data Engineering information

See California salary details

$14

$47

$130

How much do freelance data engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance data engineering in California is $47.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.94 and $60.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Freelance Data Engineering job?

A Freelance Data Engineering job involves designing, building, and maintaining data infrastructure on a contract basis. Freelancers work with businesses to develop ETL pipelines, optimize databases, and manage big data technologies. They often use tools like SQL, Python, Apache Spark, and cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure. This role requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently on data-related projects.

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

To excel as a Freelance Data Engineer, you need strong programming skills (Python, SQL), experience with data architecture, ETL processes, and a solid understanding of cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure. Familiarity with tools like Apache Spark, Hadoop, Airflow, and relevant certifications such as Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer or AWS Certified Data Analytics are highly valued. Exceptional communication, project management skills, and the ability to work independently are crucial soft skills in this freelance capacity. These competencies ensure you can efficiently deliver robust data solutions, manage client expectations, and adapt swiftly to diverse project needs.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance data engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance data engineers often face challenges such as managing multiple clients with varying needs, keeping up-to-date with rapidly evolving technologies, and ensuring clear communication despite remote arrangements. To address these challenges, it's important to set clear project expectations from the start, maintain a consistent schedule for learning and skill development, and utilize collaboration tools for effective communication. Building a strong portfolio and leveraging professional networking can also yield steady work opportunities and referrals. Proactively addressing these areas helps freelance data engineers remain competitive and successful in the industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineering jobs in California? The most popular types of Data Engineering jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Data Engineering jobs in California? For Freelance Data Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Data Engineering jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Data Engineering jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Freelance Data Engineering jobs? Cities in California with the most Freelance Data Engineering job openings:
Freelance Data Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Data Engineering job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,931 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Data Engineer (San Francisco)

Surecall Tech

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$133K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted just now

Job description

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Entrepreneur & Recruitment Director | Building High-Performing Teams | Cutting Costs & Securing Top Tech Talent

Data Engineer | Cloud-Native | High-Impact Products | Remote | £75,000 – £95,000 + Benefits

One of the Most In-Demand Data Engineering Roles on the Market Right Now

We’re partnered with a fast-scaling, product-led tech company that’s making serious waves in their industry, and data is at the core of it all. They’re building smarter, scalable platforms that help customers in real-time, and now they’re looking for a Data Engineer who can help architect the systems that make that possible.

This is not just another data team hire, you’ll be pivotal in designing, building, and scaling cloud-based data infrastructure that powers critical business intelligence, product insights, and machine learning.

What You’ll Be Working On:

  • Building robust, scalable data pipelines (batch + real-time) using Spark, Kafka, Airflow, dbt
  • Designing warehouse architectures on Snowflake, BigQuery, or Redshift
  • Developing ETL/ELT solutions that transform billions of records with performance and governance in mind
  • Integrating APIs and external data sources into a unified data platform
  • Partnering cross-functionally with data scientists, engineers, and product teams to deliver value-driven insights
  • Implementing data observability, lineage, and quality frameworks to support growth at scale

️ The Tech You’ll Use:

  • Cloud: AWS or GCP
  • Warehousing: Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift
  • Streaming: Kafka, Kinesis
  • Languages: Python, SQL, Bash

What We're Looking For:

  • 3+ years of experience as a Data Engineer working with modern data stacks
  • Proven experience building and maintaining pipelines in production
  • Experience with event-driven architecture and cloud-native environments
  • A keen understanding of data privacy, security, and governance best practices
  • Bonus points for experience with tools like Looker, Power BI, or Tableau
  • High-impact role: Your work directly supports real-time decision-making for thousands of users
  • Modern stack: No legacy systems, no duct tape – build the right way from the start
  • Remote-first: Work from anywhere, with flexible hours
  • Backed for growth: You’ll have a budget for tools, training, and conferences
  • Culture-led: Empowered teams, low ego, lots of collaboration

Screening Questions:

  • Describe a complex pipeline you’ve built – what made it challenging?
  • How have you used streaming technologies like Kafka or Kinesis?
  • What’s your go-to stack for building a modern data platform, and why?
  • Have you worked with dbt or Airflow in a production setting?
  • What’s your approach to handling schema evolution and bad data?

If you're ready to take on one of the most high-impact and in-demand Data Engineering roles out there, with a company that genuinely puts data at the centre of product and strategy — get in touch or apply now.

Seniority level
  • Seniority levelMid-Senior level
Employment type
  • Employment typeFull-time
Job function
  • Job functionProduct Management and Information Technology
  • IndustriesTechnology, Information and Internet

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