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Careers›Roles›Data Migration Specialist
Mid-Level

Data Migration Specialist

Old system out, new system in, and the data has to survive the trip: you plan and run the migrations behind upgrades and mergers. Where "it transferred cleanly" is the whole job.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
I
E
R
S
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Data Migration Specialists
Professional Services · 38%Financial Services · 15%Technology & Information · 13%Administrative Services · 6%Wholesale & Distribution · 5%Healthcare · 3%
Job markets for Data Migration Specialists
Employment concentration · ~126 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Technology
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Data Migration Specialist

The work runs on mapping data between systems, building and testing the migration, and validating that nothing was lost or corrupted. You often get one shot at cutover, and dirty source data is the usual enemy. Much of it is meticulous testing before the real run.

What's harder than it looks is that the data is always messier than anyone admits. Edge cases surface at the worst time, downtime windows are tight, and a bad migration can corrupt a business's records. Tools and scope vary, and projects can mean late nights at cutover.

It tends to fit someone meticulous, methodical, and calm under cutover pressure. If you want creative building or steady hours, the high-stakes, project-spike nature can wear. But if you like the puzzle of moving data cleanly, and the relief when it lands intact, the work tends to satisfy.

What people in this role value
AchievementHigh
Working ConditionsAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
RecognitionModerate
SupportModerate
RelationshipsLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$112K+9%
Professional Services$101K-2%
Energy & Utilities$88K-15%
Wholesale & Distribution$85K-17%
Government$80K-22%
Compared to Technology average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Data Migration Specialists (SOC 15-1243.01), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Technology →
Data Migration SpecialistBig Data EngineerData Quality AnalystData SpecialistData Management ManagerData Storage SpecialistData Warehouse EngineerData Management EngineerResearch Data SpecialistData Integrity SpecialistData Management SpecialistETL Tester (Extract-Transform-Load Tester)ETL Developer (Extract-Transform-Load Developer)
Exploring the Data Migration Specialist career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$82K–$210K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
65K
U.S. Employment
+8.7%
10yr Growth
4K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$80K$77K$74K$71K$68K201920202021202220232024$68K$80K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingProgrammingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningSystems AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingWritingSystems Evaluation
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
15-1243.01

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

directorData Operations Director$171KdirectorData Center Product Director$109KdirectorClinical Data Management Director (CDM Director)$113KmidBig Data Engineer$136KmidData Quality Analyst$103KseniorSenior Data Quality Analyst$103K
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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.