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Write a query to find the median salary of employees in a table.

SQLeasy0.2 min readPremium

SELECT PERCENTILE_CONT(0.5) WITHIN GROUP (ORDER BY salary) AS median FROM employees. Or APPROX_PERCENTILE (BigQuery). **Why**: Median = 50th percentile. Odd count = middle; even = avg of two middle. **Scalability**: PERCENTILE_CONT requires sort; approximate functions faster at...

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Frequency
Low
Asked at 1 company
Category
487
questions in SQL
Difficulty Split
130E|271M|86H
in this category
Total Bank
1,863
across 7 categories
Asked at these companies
Goldman Sachs
Key Concepts Tested
bigquery

Why This Question Matters

This easy-level SQL question appears frequently in data engineering interviews at companies like Goldman Sachs. While less common, it tests deeper understanding that distinguishes strong candidates. Mastering the underlying concepts (bigquery) will help you answer variations of this question confidently.

How to Approach This

Start by clearly defining the core concept being asked about. Interviewers want to see that you understand the fundamentals before diving into implementation details. Structure your answer with a definition, then explain the practical application with a concise example.

Expert Answer
38 words

SELECT PERCENTILE_CONT(0.5) WITHIN GROUP (ORDER BY salary) AS median FROM employees. Or APPROX_PERCENTILE (BigQuery). Why: Median = 50th percentile. Odd count = middle; even = avg of two middle. Scalability: PERCENTILE_CONT requires sort; approximate functions faster at scale.

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According to DataEngPrep.tech, this is one of the most frequently asked SQL interview questions, reported at 1 company. DataEngPrep.tech maintains a curated database of 1,863+ real data engineering interview questions across 7 categories, verified by industry professionals.

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