Average Salaries ($K)
Berlin 2020-2024
Data Salary review
Berlin
2020 - 2024
- 123% Average Cost Of Living Rise
- #9/23 Cheapest City To Live
- 24% Average Salary Rise
- #7/23 Salary Growth - All Roles
- #4/23 Salary Growth For Heads Of Data
- #13/23 Salary Growth For Data Engineers
- #7/23 Salary Growth For Data Analyst
- #17/23 Salary Growth For Data Scientists
Overview
Berlin attracts a diverse array of industries and companies that contribute to its dynamic data sector. The city’s tech landscape encompasses sectors such as information and communications technology, media, and creative industries.
Berlin’s transformation from its “poor but sexy” era has seen a transformation where data roles have become increasingly prominent, a bustling startup scene has emerged and now analytics opportunities rival that of Hamburg or Munich. This rapid expansion has not been without challenges. The influx of tech companies and professionals has contributed to a substantial increase in the cost of living. Median asking rents surged by 21.2% in 2023, driven in part by landlords exploiting legal loopholes to offer “temporary” and “furnished” apartments at higher rates. While Berlin has emerged as a significant player in the tech industry with abundant opportunities for data professionals, it is very much a city in flux
Heads Of Data
Berlin’s vibrant startup ecosystem and established enterprises offer numerous positions for experienced professionals. However, the influx of talent from across Europe has intensified competition, making it essential for candidates to distinguish themselves. Unlike in corporate-heavy cities like Munich or Frankfurt, where management roles can be more detached, Berlin’s data leaders are often expected to stay close to the technical work. Berlin is startup-heavy, meaning leadership roles often emerge in younger, fast-scaling companies rather than in long-established corporations.
For those looking to advance their careers, networking is key. Compared to other German tech hubs like Munich and Hamburg, Berlin’s data community is characterised by a dynamic and collaborative environment. The city hosts numerous networking events, meetups, and conferences, providing ample opportunities for professionals to engage with peers, share knowledge, and stay abreast of industry developments. Berlin’s data community is tight-knit. Leadership hiring is often informal and so whilst there are many opportunities with fast-scaling startups for those looking to join more established companies, networking may be key. Berlin ranked #4/23 for wage growth when comparing 2020 to 2024, with an average of 28.71% growth over the last five years.
Average Salaries ($K) By Experience
Data Engineers
Berlin offers a thriving environment for data engineers, driven by its vibrant tech ecosystem and strong demand for skilled professionals. The city’s startup-heavy market provides plenty of opportunities to work on greenfield projects, develop data pipelines from the ground up, and gain hands-on experience in fast-moving environments. However, the prevalence of early-stage and scale-up companies also means job stability can be less certain, as many firms rely on venture capital funding. Hiring freezes and layoffs are common when investment slows, making long-term security more unpredictable than in more established corporate markets.
For those seeking stability and structured career progression, Hamburg, home to major finance and logistics companies, may be a stronger option. The shortage of skilled professionals in STEM fields across Germany reached record levels after the pandemic, with a shortfall of 320,600 specialists in 2022 alone. This talent gap has driven sharp salary increases, particularly for entry-level data engineers, where starting salaries have surged by 69.23% in response to rising demand.
Average Salaries ($K) By Experience
Data Analysts
If you thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and enjoy the opportunity to wear multiple hats, Berlin could still be a great choice. Many data analyst roles in Berlin are based in startups, which often have demanding workloads and expectations of flexibility. While this can be great for gaining experience, the lack of formalised structures can lead to limited career advancement. Smaller companies might not have clear career progression paths, which can make it challenging to grow within the company unless you proactively take on new responsibilities.
While Berlin is a tech-forward city, many data analyst roles focus more on maintaining existing reporting systems and dashboards rather than building new or cutting-edge data solutions, which is typically left to Data Scientists. Roles in Berlin are more about managing and analysing historical data. Berlin ranked #7/23 for wage growth in our study.
Average Salaries ($K) By Experience
Data Scientists
Berlin has a strong data science community, with regular meetups, conferences (e.g. Data Natives, PyData), and a collaborative environment. If you are looking to get involved in networking, learning opportunities, or meetups, this city has a rich ecosystem for both beginner and senior data scientists to connect. The diversity of industries also means that you will be exposed to a wide array of problems to solve, ideal for those who want to expand their knowledge and work on varied, challenging projects.
The most noticeable feature in our data is the sizeable gap (40%) for senior roles. Berlin’s tech scene has grown faster than the talent pool, leading to a talent shortage. This results in a bidding war for experienced professionals, and companies are offering higher salaries to attract and retain skilled data scientists.
Average Salaries ($K) By Experience
Hiring Data Roles For Berlin Companies
Berlin provides access to one of Europe’s fastest-growing data talent pools, attracting professionals from across the continent. However, competition among employers is intense, with both multinational corporations and startups vying for top-tier data talent. While the city offers a strong pipeline of junior and mid-level professionals, hiring experienced data scientists and engineers remains a challenge. Retention can also be difficult, as Berlin’s international workforce is highly mobile, often exploring opportunities in other global tech hubs. Employers looking for data engineers with expertise in large-scale distributed systems, real-time analytics, or MLOps may struggle to find the right candidates locally and may need to consider hiring internationally.
For startups and scale-ups, accessing senior data expertise can be particularly difficult, making external support a smart option. Building an in-house team with deep experience in data architecture, machine learning, or advanced analytics can be costly and time-consuming, especially in a competitive hiring market. Data agencies like 173tech can provide high-level expertise on a flexible basis, allowing businesses to implement scalable data solutions. This is particularly valuable for early-stage companies that need immediate senior-level input but lack the budget or hiring capacity to build a complete team internally.
173tech Direct Comparison
- Head Of Data (5+ yrs) $280k
- Data Engineer (5+ yrs) $125k
- Data Engineer (0-3 yrs) $75k
- Data Analyst (3-5 yrs) $80k
- $560k per yr + Tax + Pension + Holidays
- Candice (15+ yrs) Ruben (8+ yrs) Oliver (10+ yrs)
- Adrian (15+ yrs)
- Oscar (2+ yrs)
- Emeric (3+ yrs) Mai (4+ yrs) Noel (2+ yrs) Amy (2+ yrs)
- $240k
Working with 173tech is effortless – wake up, log in, and instantly tap into a full data team at your fingertips. From strategy to implementation, we make leveraging data for growth easy and hassle-free.
We deploy a full team to every project and give you direct access through weekly syncs and shared slack. We work with the tools and processes you have already established or can set up from scratch.
We provide a fully flexible resource to tap into when you need to fast-track data projects and represent not only great value, but are passionate about creating value from data. Get in touch today to see how we can help you!
