pwc$166k median pay
7 postings
View jobs ↗ at pwc matching PDE
Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer (PDE)
Validates knowledge of designing, building and operating data processing systems on Google Cloud, from ingestion to analysis.
Summary
Professional Data Engineer is Google Cloud's certification for designing, building and running data systems, from pipelines and storage to analysis and governance. It has 40 to 50 scenario questions that ask which design or service fits, so it tests choices rather than recall.
Good fit if
- You build or run data pipelines on Google Cloud
- You use BigQuery, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, Dataproc or Cloud Composer
- Job postings you target list Professional Data Engineer
Look elsewhere if
- You are new to Google Cloud: Associate Cloud Engineer
- You mainly train and serve models: Professional Machine Learning Engineer
- Your data runs on AWS, Databricks or Fabric: AWS Data Engineer, Databricks Data Engineer or Fabric Data Engineer
Salary & jobs
83 US job postings ask for PDE, with Data Engineer as the most common job title. The median pay is $149k a year; most fall between $126k and $176k.
Top-paying job titles
Most common job titles
| Job title | ||
|---|---|---|
| Data Engineer | $135k | 7 |
Top-paying employers
pwc| Job title | ||
|---|---|---|
| Data Engineer | $135k | 7 |
| Gcp Data Engineer | - | 6 |
| Data Architect | - | 5 |
| Database DevOps Engineer Clearance Required | - | 2 |
| Genai Python Systems Engineer Manager | - | 2 |
| Google Agentic AI Delivery Specialist | - | 2 |
| HR AI Ml Engineer II | - | 2 |
| IT Data Engineer | - | 2 |
| Software Architect | - | 2 |
| Agentic Workplace Gtm | - | 1 |
| Analytics Engineer People Data | - | 1 |
| Architect Solutions | - | 1 |
| Associate AI Data Scientist | - | 1 |
| Business Analyst Product Manager Us | - | 1 |
| Cleared Data Engineer | - | 1 |
Top employers
pwc7 postings
$166k median pay
Most common title: Genai Python Systems Engineer Manager
View jobs ↗ at pwc matching PDE
CVS Health4 postings
Most common title: Software Architect
View jobs ↗ at CVS Health matching PDE
Consolidated Edison4 postings
Most common title: Systems Analyst Data Scientist
View jobs ↗ at Consolidated Edison matching PDE
Accenture Federal Services3 postings
Most common title: Cleared Data Engineer
View jobs ↗ at Accenture Federal Services matching PDE
Airbus3 postings
Most common title: HR AI Ml Engineer II
View jobs ↗ at Airbus matching PDE
Kyndryl3 postings
Most common title: Database Engineer Administrator Analyst
View jobs ↗ at Kyndryl matching PDE
tysonfoods3 postings
Most common title: IT Data Engineer
View jobs ↗ at tysonfoods matching PDEAccenture2 postings
Most common title: Google Agentic AI Delivery Specialist
View jobs ↗ at Accenture matching PDEPrerequisites
Cost
What holders say
Often supported by employers
Recent passers describe taking the exam with an employer-provided voucher or because their job needed it.
Experience still carries more weight
Data engineers advising an experienced peer said proven SQL and pipeline work matters most, with certifications mainly helping to get past HR screening.
Certification path
Google Cloud describes Associate Cloud Engineer as a path to its Professional certifications, including Data Engineer.
Renewal
Professional Data Engineer is valid for 2 years.
- Validity
- 2 years
- Renewal exam
- $100 USD 20 questions in 1 hour; adds 2 years
- Google Skills route
- Designated courses or skill badges Adds 1 year
The renewal exam opens 60 days before your certification expires and the Google Skills route opens one year before. You can also retake the standard exam, but once you choose a renewal path you cannot switch after the first attempt. Google gives you a 50% discount code for your renewal attempt when you first certify.
Google Cloud renewal options ↗Alternatives
AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate$150 required · Intermediate
The equivalent data engineering certification if your employer runs on AWS.
Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate$200 required · Intermediate
Better fit if your data platform is built on Databricks.
DP-700$165 required · Intermediate
The comparable certification for data platforms on Microsoft Fabric.
FAQ
How much does the Professional Data Engineer exam cost?
$200 plus tax. The shorter renewal exam costs $100, and Google gives you a 50% discount code for your renewal attempt when you certify.
How many questions are on the Professional Data Engineer exam?
40 to 50 multiple choice and multiple select questions in two hours. There are no case studies or labs.
How long is Professional Data Engineer valid?
Two years. Renew with the 1-hour renewal exam or the standard exam, which add two years, or with designated Google Skills courses in your final year, which add one year.
Do I need Associate Cloud Engineer before Professional Data Engineer?
No. There are no prerequisites, though Associate Cloud Engineer is a useful foundation if you are new to Google Cloud.
Last updated October 2026