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

Solomon Page

Senior Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65 - $80/hr

Support data engineering best practices and contribute to scalable, high-quality data solutions ... 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

$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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Freelance Data Engineering information

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$15

$49

$136

How much do freelance data engineering jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance data engineering in Chicago, IL is $49.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.00 and $63.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is freelance data engineering?

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 as a freelance data engineer?

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 Chicago, IL?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Freelance Data Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Data Engineering job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $102,222 per year, or $49.1 per hour.

Manager, Data Engineering

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V

Chicago, IL

$88K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Publicis Groupe rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 52 rated marketing agency

Job description

Company Description

PHM is the leading health media agency in the US, built for the modern healthcare experience. Here, industry depth meets media scale, where data becomes direction, where creativity and storytelling bring truth to life, and where orchestration replaces fragmentation.

Dedicated to making brands discovered, PHM redefines what media can do through data, content, and creativity. Because in modern healthcare, the brands that are found are the ones that lead. And when brands lead, advantage follows. Go deeper. Be found.

Overview

The Data Manager of Data Engineering will work in a hands-on and supportive role in our Technology and Data Department. This team processes and maintains all the data that flows into our organization and is the face of the agency regarding data needs from HCP publishers.

You will work with internal and external partners, along with industry vendors, to monitor data transfers, perform data QA'ing and maintain documentation. You will also support the Vice President of Data engineering to enforce enterprise-wide data processes and protocols.

Responsibilities
  • Lead a portfolio of data projects across multiple clients
  • Design and manage scalable pipelines, including ingestion from APIs (REST, GraphQL, vendor feeds) and traditional ETL sources
  • Contribute to data architecture decisions to ensure efficient schema design, scalability, and governance across data warehouses and lakehouses
  • Partner with BI, Product, and Media Tech teams to automate data integrations and improve data flow reliability
  • Oversee ETL and metadata management to ensure stability, security, and compliance
  • Present issues, trends, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders
  • Maintain best practices for handling, storing, and governing data
Qualifications
  • BS in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
  • Strong hands-on experience with PySpark (preferred language for data engineering and automation)
  • Proficiency in Python and SQL for data processing and automation
  • Experience building and maintaining API-based data pipelines, including authentication and error handling
  • Solid knowledge of modern data architecture (data modeling, governance, warehouse, lakehouse)
  • Experience with database structures, ETL, and cloud data platforms
  • Technical documentation skills and ability to communicate complex topics in simple, user-friendly terms

Specific Skills Required:

  • Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, Databricks
  • Data warehouses/lakehouses: Snowflake, Redshift, Databricks Lakehouse
  • BI tools: Tableau, Datorama (preferred)
  • Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams
Additional Information

Our Publicis Groupe motto "Viva La Difference" means we're better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMTTACompliance@publicis.com.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

#LI-LV1

 Compensation Range: USD $88,540.00 - USD $127,155.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 10/1/2026.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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