Data Architect Insights

Data Architect Data

There are over 16,500 Data Architect positions in the United States, and according to Glassdoor, the national average salary for this position is approximately $123,680.

“Positions within Big Data continue to be in high demand, especially Data Architects who have 3 to 6 years of experience in designing and executing on Big Data Strategies. Within the past month, CSS Tec delivered multiple senior data architecture and Big Data leadership roles to several of our Philadelphia-based clients. We have a proven track record with our Data Architect & Big Data candidates,” says Toni Thomas, Account Executive at CSS Tec.

Based on information available from the Dice Salary Calculator combined with CSS-Tec’s historical data, a Data Architect in the Philadelphia area can expect to make the following salaries based on years of experience:

  • Junior: $87,000 – $113,000/year
  • Mid-Level: $93,000 – $129,000/year
  • Senior: $113,500 – $145,500/year

In 2019, just in the greater Philadelphia alone, there were over 5,480 open jobs posted for Data Architects. The current demand for Data Architects in the Philadelphia market currently outweighs the available candidate pool by about a 16.45:1 ratio and we see no signs that this demand will be slowing down.

“This means that for almost 17 job postings, there is only 1 candidate available that is actively looking for a new role.  This labor market is very tight!” says Dino Grigorakakis, COO, Contemporary Staffing Solutions.

What is a Data Architect?

A Data Architect is responsible for designing and managing a business’s data architecture, which is the collection of policies, rules, and models set in place to govern an organization’s data. Data Architects are proficient in data warehousing, data strategy, business intelligence, and programming. Data Architects first understand business needs and then implement necessary changes to how data is governed to optimize data processes and increase data security. In order to communicate with all users and stakeholders, including non-technical persons, Data Architects must have great communication and interpersonal skills.

How to Become a Data Architect

Becoming a Data Architect is no walk in the park—it requires extensive learning, practicing, and problem solving. Going for a Bachelor’s in Computer Science/Technology to develop a strong technical understanding is often necessary to become a Data Architect.

When it comes to programming languages, Data Architects should be familiar with:

  • Python
  • Ruby
  • Java
  • C++
  • R

They are also typically familiar with these databases/data modeling tools:

  • Hadoop
  • Cassandra
  • MongoDB
  • NoSQL
  • Cloud computing
  • ETL

Who is CSS Tec?

CSS Tec, a business unit of Contemporary Staffing Solutions, has been a leading provider of contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire technology solutions while also offering Project Management and implementations of Salesforce solutions. CSS Tec prides itself on internal retention, with the average recruiter’s tenure exceeding five years, as well as their strong, established presence in the Philadelphia Metro area. The CSS Tec team coaches you with current business intelligence so that we can manage your expectations. 

“CSS-Tec has been one of our most successful business units in the Greater Philadelphia area and they employ talent with an average tenure of more than 9 years!” says Sharon Tsao, CMO of Contemporary Staffing Solutions.

Are you looking for your next Data Architect role? Check out our job board for all our open positions or contact a tech recruiter to help you in your job search!

Employers, looking to find skilled candidates for technical positions? Reach out to CSS Tec to discuss partnering with us!