Data Engineering Course: Become a Skilled Data Engineer in 2025

Do You Know? In 2025, the data engineering field employs over 150,000 professionals, with 20,000 new jobs added in just one year. 

In today’s data-driven world, every business depends on accurate, fast, and reliable data to make smart decisions. But behind every clean dashboard and powerful analytics tool, there’s a professional who ensures the data is collected, processed, and stored correctly, namely a data engineer. 

Data engineers are the backbone of the modern tech world. They build and maintain systems that allow data scientists, analysts, and business teams to use data efficiently. Whether it’s managing huge data pipelines or setting up cloud-based warehouses, their work keeps organizations running smoothly. 

If you want to build a strong tech career with high demand, exciting challenges, and great pay, learning data engineering is a smart move. And the best way to start is by taking a structured Data Engineering Course that helps you gain job-ready skills. 

At upGrad, our Data Science Courses help learners understand the tools, techniques, and real-world projects that make them industry-ready. You don’t just learn concepts, you learn how to apply them through guided mentorship and practical learning experiences. 

What Are the Top Data Engineering Courses Online in 2025? 

If you’re planning to build a career in data engineering, choosing the right course is the most important first step. The best data engineering courses online in 2025 teach you in-demand tools like Python, SQL, Apache Spark, Hadoop, AWS, and Azure, while also helping you gain real project experience that employers truly value. 

Whether you want to explore free data engineer online courses or enroll in a full professional program, the options below offer flexible schedules, strong learning outcomes, and industry-recognized certifications. 

Here’s a look at the top data engineering courses online in 2025: 

Course Name	Offered By	Duration	Tuition Fee
M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science	upGrad & JGU	12 Months	INR 2.75L
Executive Post Graduate Certificate Programme in Data Science & AI	upGrad IIITB	6 Months	INR 1.8L
Master of Science in Data Science from Liverpool John Moores University	upGrad & LJMU	18 Months	INR 5.20L
Executive Diploma in Data Science & AI	upGrad & IIITB	12 Months	INR 3.15L – 3.65L
Professional Certificate Programme in Data Science with Generative AI	upGrad	6 Months	INR 99,000
Free Excel for Data Analysis Course	upGrad	9 Hours	Free
Exploratory Data Analysis in Excel	upGrad	15 Hours	Free
Google Cloud Data Engineering Professional Certificate	Coursera (Google)	10 Months	Free
IBM Data Engineering Professional Certificate	Coursera (IBM)	6 Months	Free
Data Engineering Foundations	edX (Harvard University)	8 Months	INR 2.85L
Data Engineering with Python and SQL	Udemy	3 Hours	INR 799
Introduction to Data Engineering	Datacamp	4 Hours	Free

What Types of Data Engineering Courses Can You Choose From? 

There are many types of data engineering courses available today, designed to match your career goals, time, and budget. Whether you’re a beginner exploring data pipelines or a professional looking to upgrade to an AWS or Azure data engineer course, each type offers unique benefits. 

Let’s explore the main types of data engineering courses you can choose from and find the one that fits your learning style best: 

1. Online Data Engineering Courses: 

Online data engineer courses are the most popular today because they offer flexibility and accessibility from anywhere. You can learn at your own pace, attend live sessions, and access recorded lectures. 

Advantages: 

• Study while working or pursuing other studies. 
• Learn from global data experts through live online classes. 
• Lower data engineering course fees compared to offline programs. 
• Access to cloud-based labs and real projects using AWS and Azure platforms. 

Must Read: Top 5 Online Data Engineering Courses & Certifications 

2. Offline Data Engineering Courses: 

Offline programs follow the traditional classroom model, where learners attend sessions physically at institutes or universities. 

Advantages: 

• Direct interaction with instructors and peers. 
• Suitable for students who prefer structured, face-to-face learning. 
• Strong peer network and in-person career events. 

3. Free Data Engineering Courses: 

If you’re new to data engineering, starting with free data engineer online courses is a great idea. These courses help you understand basic tools like SQL, Python, and cloud data storage before moving to advanced concepts. 

Advantages: 

• Learn the fundamentals of data engineering at no cost. 
• Great for testing your interest before enrolling in a paid program. 
• Offered by trusted platforms like upGrad, AWS, and Google Cloud. 

Explore: Free Data Science Courses Online with Certificates 

4. Certificate, Diploma & Degree Programs: 

These structured programs vary in duration and depth from short-term certifications to full master’s degrees. 

Advantages: 

• Certificate courses build practical, job-ready skills in a few months. 
• Diploma programs offer a balanced mix of technical and applied learning. 
• Degree programs provide advanced training, research exposure, and placement support. 

What Will You Learn in a Data Engineering Course? 

A data engineering course helps you build the technical and analytical skills needed to manage, transform, and process large amounts of data. From designing data pipelines to using cloud-based tools like AWS and Azure. 

Let’s look at the key concepts, technologies, and tools you’ll learn during your data engineering learning journey: 

Core Topics Covered 

• Data Modeling and Warehousing  
• ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) Processes  
• Big Data Frameworks (Hadoop & Spark)  
• SQL and NoSQL Databases  
• Data Pipeline Orchestration  
• Cloud Data Platforms (AWS & Azure)  
• Data Security and Governance  

Tools You’ll Master 

Tool	Real-World Use Case
SQL	Querying, updating, and managing large databases efficiently.
Python	Writing scripts for data processing, automation, and transformation.
Apache Spark	Handling big data processing and real-time analytics.
Hadoop	Storing and processing massive datasets across distributed systems.
AWS (Amazon Web Services)	Building and managing scalable cloud-based data pipelines.
Azure Data Factory	Creating and orchestrating automated data workflows on the Azure platform.
Apache Airflow	Scheduling and managing complex data pipelines.
Snowflake / Google BigQuery	Managing cloud data warehouses for analytics and reporting.

By the end of your data engineering course, you’ll know how to design data architecture, build data pipelines, and prepare data for analytics and machine learning. 

Who Can Enroll in a Data Engineering Course? 

A data engineering course is open to anyone interested in building or managing data systems. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone switching careers, this field offers great opportunities for all backgrounds. 

Here’s who can enroll in a data engineering course: 

• Students & Graduates: Ideal for those with computer science, IT, or engineering backgrounds who want to start a career in data systems and analytics. 
• Working Professionals: Perfect for IT, software, or analytics professionals looking to upskill and master tools like AWS and Azure. 
• Career Changers: Great for non-tech professionals interested in learning Python, SQL, and modern data pipeline design. 
• Entrepreneurs & Business Owners: Helpful for business owners who want to use data systems to improve decision-making and operations. 
• Beginners Exploring Data Engineering: A good starting point for anyone curious about how data flows through systems, try free online data engineering courses first. 

Related Article: What Does a Data Engineer Do? 

What Is the Career Scope After Completing a Data Engineering Course? 

The career scope after completing a data engineering course is huge and continues to grow every year. As more companies depend on data for decision-making, the demand for skilled data engineers is rising rapidly across industries like finance, healthcare, retail, and technology. 

Whether you choose an AWS data engineering course, an Azure data engineer course, or one of the best data engineering courses online, you’ll open doors to high-paying and future-ready career paths. 

Here are the top data engineering jobs in India: 

Job Role	Average Annual Salary in India
Data Engineer Salary	INR 11.6L
Big Data Engineer Salary	INR 11L
Cloud Data Engineer Salary	INR 10.5L
ETL Developer Salary	INR 7L
Data Warehouse Engineer Salary	INR 10.6L

Sourced By: Ambitionbox 

Read More: Top 15 Data Science Highest Paying Jobs in India 

How to Choose the Best Data Engineering Course for You? 

Choosing the right data engineering course is one of the most important steps toward starting or advancing your career in data. With so many options from free data engineer online courses to advanced certifications in AWS and Azure, it’s important to pick a program that matches your skills, goals, and budget. 

Here are some key factors to consider before enrolling in a data engineering course: 

1. Course Curriculum: 

• Make sure the course covers essential topics like Python, SQL, data modeling, ETL, big data tools (Hadoop, Spark), and cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure. 

2. Learning Format: 

• Decide if you prefer the flexibility of online data engineering courses or a structured classroom setup. Online programs are ideal for working professionals. 

3. Faculty & Mentorship: 

• Choose programs that offer guidance from experienced data engineers and one-on-one mentorship for hands-on learning. 

4. Hands-On Projects: 

• Look for courses that include real-world projects on data pipelines, cloud integration, and big data processing. Practical exposure builds strong technical skills. 

5. Certification & Credibility: 

• Pick a program from a recognized platform or university to ensure the certification adds real value to your resume. 

6. Placement Support: 

• Check if the course provides career assistance, resume building, and interview preparation for top data roles. 

7. Data Engineering Course Fee: 

• Compare fees and benefits to see which program gives you the best value for your career stage and financial plan. 

8. Flexibility: 

• Ensure the course allows you to learn at your own pace, especially if you’re a working professional managing other commitments. 

By keeping these points in mind, you can confidently find the best data engineering course that fits your learning goals and helps you build a strong, future-ready career in data engineering. 

How to Start Your Data Engineering Career Step-by-Step? 

Starting a career in data engineering might feel overwhelming at first, but with the right plan and training, you can build a strong foundation and grow into a skilled data professional. A structured data engineering course can guide you from learning the basics to landing your first job confidently. 

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you start your data engineering career: 

Step 1: Learn the Basics: 

• Start with beginner-friendly or free data engineer online courses to understand the fundamentals of Python, SQL, and data management. Build comfort with how data is stored, moved, and processed. 

Step 2: Enroll in a Certified Data Engineering Course: 

• Join a structured program like upGrad’s Data Engineering Course to master ETL, data pipelines, big data frameworks (Hadoop, Spark), and cloud tools like AWS and Azure. 

Step 3: Build Hands-On Skills: 

• Practice by working on real-world projects that involve data extraction, transformation, and loading. Build small data pipelines and experiment with cloud data platforms. 

Step 4: Create a Strong Project Portfolio: 

• Showcase your data engineering projects on platforms like GitHub or LinkedIn. Include your work on AWS data engineering, Azure pipelines, or database optimization tasks. 

Step 5: Learn Cloud and Big Data Tools: 

• Familiarize yourself with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Apache Spark. These are essential for most modern data engineering jobs. 

Step 6: Stay Updated with New Technologies: 

• The data world changes fast. Keep learning about new data storage systems, orchestration tools like Airflow, and modern data architectures. 

Step 7: Apply for Entry-Level Roles or Internships: 

Look for positions like Junior Data Engineer, ETL Developer, or Big Data Intern. Entry-level experience helps you understand real data workflows and prepares you for advanced roles. 

Must Read: How to Become a Data Engineer 

What Does the Future Hold for Data Engineering Courses and Careers? 

In today’s digital world, data is everywhere. From social media to online shopping, we create huge amounts of data every second. But raw data is not useful unless it’s collected, cleaned, and organized. That’s where data engineers come in. They build the systems and tools that help companies turn data into smart decisions. 

As we move into the future, the demand for skilled data engineers is growing fast. Let’s look at what’s ahead for data engineering careers and courses. 

Here are the key reasons why data engineering is one of the most promising career paths in tech: 

1. High Job Growth 

• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientist roles are expected to grow by 34% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all jobs. This shows strong demand for professionals who can manage and process data.  

2. More Jobs Being Created 

• In 2025, the data engineering field employs over 150,000 professionals, with 20,000 new jobs added in just one year. This growth is driven by the explosion of data and the need for better data systems.  

3. Strong Salaries: 

• Data engineers in the U.S. earn an average salary of around $132,000 per year, with senior roles paying even more. This makes it a financially rewarding career.  

4. AI and Automation Are Creating New Opportunities: 

• AI is changing how data is handled. Data engineers now work with AI tools to automate tasks like data cleaning and pipeline building. This means more focus on strategy, architecture, and innovation.  

6. Flexible Learning Options: 

• Many online platforms now offer project-based, hands-on training in data engineering. These courses are often more focused on skills than degrees, making it easier for people to switch careers or upskill quickly. 

Dive Deeper: The Future of Data Engineering 

How Can upGrad Help You? 

If you want to start or grow your career in data engineering, upGrad gives you the right platform to learn, practice, and succeed. With programs designed by industry experts and top universities, upGrad helps you master every skill you need to design modern data systems and pipelines used by today’s leading companies. 

Here’s how upGrad can help you build a successful data engineering career: 

1. Learn from Industry Experts: 

• Get trained by experienced professionals who have built large-scale data systems for global tech companies. Learn step-by-step through structured modules and live sessions. 

2. Master Modern Data Tools: 

• Gain hands-on experience with the latest tools used in the field from AWS and Azure data engineer tools to Python, SQL, Hadoop, Spark, and Airflow. You’ll work on practical projects that mirror real-world challenges. 

3. Flexible Online Learning: 

• The upGrad data engineer online course is designed to fit your schedule. Study at your own pace with recorded classes, live discussions, and peer learning communities. 

4. Industry Projects and Case Studies: 

• Apply your knowledge through real industry projects. You’ll learn how to build data pipelines, manage big data systems, and deploy solutions on cloud platforms like Azure and AWS. 

5. Job-Focused Training: 

• Each upGrad program is built with career outcomes in mind. You’ll get placement support, resume guidance, mock interviews, and access to exclusive job openings across leading tech companies. 

6. Globally Recognized Certifications: 

• Earn a certificate from one of the best data engineering courses partnered with global universities and industry leaders, adding credibility and value to your professional profile. 

7. Affordable and Transparent Fees: 

• Choose flexible payment options and EMI plans that make it easier to start your learning journey without financial stress. 

With upGrad’s structured learning approach, real-world exposure, and expert mentorship, you can confidently move toward a rewarding career in data engineering, whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your existing tech skills. 

Ready to take the next step? Book a free counseling session with our upGrad experts today and find the right data science course that fits your career goals!