What Does an ETL Developer Do?
An ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) developer is a data professional responsible for designing, building, and managing the systems that extract data from multiple sources, transform it into usable formats, and load it into data warehouses, lakes, or operational systems. These pipelines form the backbone of analytics, business intelligence, and decision-making across organizations.
ETL developers ensure data is accurate, consistent, and accessible for reporting and analysis. They work closely with data engineers, analysts, and business stakeholders to meet data requirements, troubleshoot issues, and maintain data integrity. The role demands strong technical skills in SQL, data modeling, and ETL tools, along with a clear understanding of data architecture and system performance.
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ETL Developer Core Responsibilities
- Design and build scalable ETL pipelines using tools such as SSIS, Talend, Informatica, or custom scripts
- Extract structured and semi-structured data from various sources, including APIs, flat files, and databases
- Transform raw data into usable formats based on business and technical requirements
- Load cleaned and formatted data into centralized storage systems (e.g., data warehouses, data lakes)
- Monitor, test, and troubleshoot ETL workflows to ensure high availability and reliability
- Optimize data pipeline performance and manage large-scale batch and real-time processes
- Collaborate with business intelligence, data science, and engineering teams on data integration needs
- Document data flows, mappings, and technical specifications
- Ensure compliance with data governance and security standards
- Assist with migration of on-premises ETL solutions to cloud-based platforms as needed
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Advanced SQL and experience working with relational databases (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL)
- Hands-on experience with ETL tools such as SSIS, Informatica, Talend, Apache NiFi, or AWS Glue
- Familiarity with data warehouse concepts (star/snowflake schemas, fact/dimension tables)
- Scripting knowledge (Python, Bash, PowerShell) for custom data transformation tasks
- Understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and data services like Redshift, BigQuery, or Snowflake
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking and strong problem-solving ability
- Ability to translate business data needs into technical solutions
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
- Collaboration and communication with both technical and non-technical teams
- Time management across multiple projects with competing deadlines
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, data engineering, or a related field
Certifications
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
- Informatica PowerCenter Developer Certification
- AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
Certifications are recommended but not required for all roles.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience building real-time data pipelines using streaming tools (e.g., Kafka, Spark Streaming)
- Familiarity with CI/CD and version control systems (e.g., Git, Azure DevOps)
- Background in data governance, data quality management, or MDM solutions
- Experience with Agile or DevOps methodologies in data projects
National Average Salary
ETL developer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for an ETL Developer is:
$106,855
Sample Job Description Templates for ETL Developers
Junior ETL Developer
Position Overview
The junior ETL developer supports the design and maintenance of data pipelines by assisting with data extraction, transformation, and loading tasks. This entry-level role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build their technical skills in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Assist in building and maintaining ETL workflows using SQL and ETL tools
- Work with senior developers to extract data from various source systems
- Support data cleansing and transformation processes based on specifications
- Participate in testing and validation of ETL pipelines
- Help troubleshoot and document basic ETL issues
- Maintain documentation for data flows, mapping, and processes
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in SQL and basic knowledge of relational databases
- Exposure to ETL tools like SSIS, Talend, or Informatica
- Understanding of data formats like CSV, JSON, or XML
- Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) is a plus
Soft skills
- Willingness to learn and follow development best practices
- Attention to detail and data accuracy
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to take direction and work collaboratively
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or related field
Certifications
- Not required, but entry-level certifications in SQL or cloud platforms are a plus
Mid-Level ETL Developer
Position Overview
The mid-level ETL developer is responsible for independently designing and optimizing data pipelines. This role requires strong SQL skills, hands-on experience with ETL tools, and the ability to transform business requirements into technical solutions.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement scalable ETL processes for structured and semi-structured data
- Monitor and troubleshoot ETL jobs and improve performance
- Work closely with data analysts and engineers to ensure data availability and quality
- Maintain and enhance existing ETL frameworks and data warehouse solutions
- Create and maintain documentation for data mappings and workflows
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in SQL and hands-on experience with one or more ETL tools (SSIS, Talend, Informatica)
- Familiarity with data warehousing concepts (e.g., dimensional modeling)
- Experience handling large datasets and optimizing ETL processes
- Scripting ability in Python or Shell for automation
Soft skills
- Analytical mindset with strong troubleshooting abilities
- Effective time management and task prioritization
- Ability to translate requirements into working solutions
- Strong communication across technical and non-technical teams
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data engineering, or related field
Certifications
- Microsoft, AWS, or Informatica certifications recommended
Senior ETL Developer
Position Overview
The senior ETL developer leads data pipeline development for complex data integration initiatives. This role requires advanced technical expertise, project leadership, and collaboration with business stakeholders to deliver clean, accessible data.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and execution of complex ETL workflows and transformations
- Optimize performance of existing ETL pipelines and recommend architectural improvements
- Ensure data accuracy, security, and integrity across systems
- Guide and mentor junior developers and oversee code reviews
- Collaborate with data architects to shape long-term data strategies
- Support data migration, modernization, or cloud integration projects
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in ETL platforms such as Informatica, SSIS, Talend, or AWS Glue
- Strong SQL and experience with performance tuning for ETL workloads
- Deep understanding of data warehousing, normalization, and schema design
- Experience integrating with cloud storage systems (S3, BigQuery, Redshift, Snowflake)
Soft skills
- Leadership in cross-functional teams
- Proactive communication with stakeholders and technical teams
- Strong documentation and data governance discipline
- Project ownership and mentoring ability
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred in a technical discipline
Certifications
- Azure Data Engineer Associate, AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty, or Informatica Certified Developer preferred
Lead ETL Developer
Position Overview
The lead ETL developer oversees a team of ETL professionals and drives the planning and execution of all data pipeline projects. This role combines deep technical ability with people management, ensuring ETL systems are efficient, scalable, and aligned with business needs.
Responsibilities
- Oversee design, development, and deployment of enterprise ETL solutions
- Manage a team of developers and provide technical direction
- Serve as the point of contact for data integration projects
- Establish best practices for code quality, testing, and documentation
- Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and data quality standards
- Participate in architecture reviews and long-term planning
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proven experience leading ETL teams or complex data integration projects
- Expertise with enterprise ETL tools and cloud data ecosystems
- Deep knowledge of data modeling and pipeline orchestration
- Familiarity with CI/CD and version control systems
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and decision-making capabilities
- Clear communication with executives, engineers, and analysts
- Strategic thinking with hands-on execution when needed
- Team development and performance coaching
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
Certifications
- Advanced data engineering certifications (AWS, Azure, Informatica) strongly recommended
ETL Architect
Position Overview
The ETL architect is responsible for the high-level design and scalability of data integration infrastructure. This role works across departments to define architecture standards, optimize performance, and lead the development of future-ready data systems.
Responsibilities
- Design enterprise-level ETL architectures that support large-scale data integration
- Evaluate and select tools and platforms for ETL and data orchestration
- Define architectural best practices for development and deployment
- Collaborate with leadership to align data strategy with business goals
- Lead performance tuning, scalability planning, and modernization initiatives
- Establish security, compliance, and governance protocols for ETL systems
Requirements
Hard skills
- Extensive experience with modern ETL/ELT patterns and cloud-native tools
- Proficiency in distributed systems, data lakes, and streaming technologies
- Strong understanding of metadata management and data lineage
- Expertise in architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, DAMA-DMBOK)
Soft skills
- Visionary thinking and long-term planning
- Executive communication and cross-team leadership
- Clear documentation of architecture decisions and guidelines
- Ability to balance business needs with technical constraints
Education
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information systems, or related field
Certifications
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, or similar credentials highly preferred