Data Center Jobs: Navigating Careers in Data Management

Many different kinds of data center jobs exist, such as data center technicians, engineers, managers, cloud engineers, and security analysts. Research from McKinsey & Company suggests that the need for AI-ready data centers will rise 33 percent per year between 2023 and 2030, with AI-based workloads using around 70 percent of all data center capacity [1]. This demand suggests that the industry needs more data center professionals. 

Explore the types of data center jobs available, their average salary, job outlooks, what they do, and some skills you can build to become a data center professional. 

Types of data center jobs

Data centers need many roles to keep them functioning at mission-critical levels and to maintain the flow of consistent information to users. Additionally, with the advent of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) that require the storage of massive amounts of data, data centers need to upgrade infrastructure to store and properly allocate resources. Learn about some of the critical data center jobs that keep systems running. 

All annual base salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of January 2025 and does not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

Data center technician

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $49,396 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 6 percent [2]

Requirements: High school diploma with data center skills; most employers require a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science

Data center technicians manage, implement, and troubleshoot databases by solving storage, scalability, and capacity issues. In this position, you would also maintain the networking and computer hardware needed to run the servers within a data center. Additionally, you will facilitate the smooth operation of all software, programs, and security measures.

Data center engineer

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $81,871

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 9 percent [3]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT-related field, often with certification

Data center engineers implement the key infrastructure needed to run the data center and install cables and hardware. In this job, you often troubleshoot day-to-day problems to ensure the data center runs properly. You may perform many tasks in a data center to keep it running, manage entry-level employees, document problems, and schedule maintenance. 

Data center manager

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $112,634

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology and related work experience

A data center manager supervises all work within a data center, including day-to-day processes, repair, maintenance, security, and equipment. In this job, you oversee the work of data center technicians and engineers to ensure repairs, maintenance, and troubleshooting happen on time. You also manage macro-level operations such as disaster preparedness, data backups, data storage, and the flow of information into and out of the data center. 

Network architect

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $79,633

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 13 percent [5]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computers and information technology with experience in the field

Network architects design, plan, and implement the computer networking infrastructure to connect local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). You will also plan and manage the cloud infrastructure. In this position, you will also manage the necessary staff, find the proper hardware, troubleshoot problems, and test networking equipment. 

Database administrator

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $85,591

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 9 percent [3]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science; some employers require a master’s degree

Database administrators (DBAs) create database systems so users can access data in the data center. As a DBA, you will organize databases and manage all personnel who interact with them to ensure their smooth operation. Some of your tasks could include securing data, authorizing user access, creating and restoring backups, and restructuring the database when issues arise. 

Cloud operations engineer

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $116,360 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 26 percent [6]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or engineering and skills in cloud computing through certification

A cloud operations engineer manages the cloud infrastructure within a database. In this position, you will oversee operations such as deploying public, private, or hybrid cloud infrastructures and ensure users have access to the applications provided. Additionally, you will ensure the scalability of cloud operations, application deployment, environment automation, and incident response. 

IT support specialist

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $50,814

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 6 percent [2]

Requirements: Associate degree in IT or a related field; some employers may require a bachelor’s degree

IT support specialists test and monitor network systems to ensure they work correctly. In this job, you will also perform regular maintenance tasks on the network. Additionally, you help users with software or hardware problems and may be onsite or assist users over the phone, chat, or email. 

Data center operations manager

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $100,193

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, associate’s with relevant certifications

Data center operations managers streamline the entire process in the data center by managing all hardware, facility equipment like HVAC systems, and all components so that every part works efficiently. As a data center operations manager, you would also create staff schedules, manage teams, supervise equipment repair and security protocols, and the budget in the data center to ensure a smooth workflow. 

Data security analyst

Average annual salary (Glassdoor): $107,033

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 33 percent [7]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, math, or a related subject

Data security analysts create and implement information security protocols to protect data, networking, and computer systems. In this job, you maintain encryption protocols and utilize cybersecurity software to manage firewalls. Additionally, you will create plans for data breaches and how to respond and continuously monitor and update security protocols. 

Skills and qualifications for data center jobs

When looking for a career in a data center, you can choose from many different career paths, and having a specific set of skills can help you get a job. Some technical skills that you need to become a data center professional include:

• Project management

• Networking

• Information security

• Cloud computing

• IT management

Other workplace skills you need include:

• Collaboration

• Leadership

• Problem-solving

• Analytical

• Communication

Data center certifications

Earning certifications can help you gain the necessary skills and knowledge of data center infrastructure so that you can join this in-demand career. Some data center certifications you should consider from the International Data Center Authority (IDCA) include:

• Data Center Infrastructure Specialist (DCIS)

• Data Center Infrastructure Expert (DCIE)

• Data Center Operations Manager (DCOM)

• Data Center Technology Professional (DCTP)

• Data Center Engineering Specialist (DCES)

• Data Center Operations Specialist (DCOS)

• Data Center Expert (DCE)

• Data Center Manager (DCM)

• Data Center Authority (DCA)

Additionally, Cisco also provides you with data center certifications so that you can prove your skills to an employer using Cisco products:

• Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center Core

• Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center Design

• Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center Operations

• Cisco Certified Specialist - Data Center ACI Implementation

• Cisco Certified Specialist - ACI Advanced Implementation

• Cisco Certified DevNet Specialist - Data Center Automation and Programmability

Prepare for data center jobs on Coursera

With rapidly growing technologies and the continuous data needs of AI, data center jobs are specialized careers with lots of earning potential. Build in-demand skills as a data engineer with options like the IBM Data Engineering Professional Certificate. You may also want to consider the Meta Database Engineer Professional Certificate to build database engineering skills. You’ll find these programs and more on Coursera.