Technology

Database Administrator Salary

Database administrators manage and maintain databases, ensuring data availability, performance, integrity, and security for organizations of all sizes.

Median Salary
$101,000
Mean Salary
$105,250
Total Employed
168,800
Job Growth
+8%

Database Administrator Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level database administrators earn around $62,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $100,000. Senior-level database administrators can earn $145,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$62,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$100,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,000

You May Qualify for Premium Rewards

Professionals earning $101,000+ often qualify for premium rewards cards with $500+ signup bonuses and 2–5% cashback on every purchase.

View Offers You Qualify For →

Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for database administrators varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $58,200, while the top 10% earn $159,010.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $58,200
25th Percentile $77,400
50th Percentile (Median) $101,000
75th Percentile $128,600
90th Percentile $159,010

Database Administrator Salary by State

Database Administrator salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $166,650, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $75,750.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $166,650 Details →
#2 California $154,530 Details →
#3 Massachusetts $146,450 Details →
#4 New York $133,320 Details →
#5 Washington $128,270 Details →
#6 Alaska $122,210 Details →
#7 New Jersey $122,210 Details →
#8 Maryland $117,160 Details →
#9 Oregon $117,160 Details →
#10 Connecticut $116,150 Details →
#11 Colorado $114,130 Details →
#12 Virginia $113,120 Details →
#13 New Hampshire $108,070 Details →
#14 Rhode Island $107,060 Details →
#15 Utah $103,020 Details →
#16 Delaware $102,010 Details →
#17 Florida $101,000 Details →
#18 Illinois $101,000 Details →
#19 Minnesota $101,000 Details →
#20 Arizona $99,990 Details →
#21 Nevada $99,990 Details →
#22 Pennsylvania $98,980 Details →
#23 Texas $98,980 Details →
#24 Vermont $98,980 Details →
#25 Georgia $96,960 Details →
#26 North Carolina $96,960 Details →
#27 Maine $95,950 Details →
#28 Idaho $94,940 Details →
#29 New Mexico $93,930 Details →
#30 Wisconsin $92,920 Details →
#31 Montana $91,910 Details →
#32 Michigan $90,900 Details →
#33 Ohio $90,900 Details →
#34 Tennessee $89,890 Details →
#35 Indiana $88,880 Details →
#36 Missouri $88,880 Details →
#37 Nebraska $88,880 Details →
#38 Louisiana $87,870 Details →
#39 South Carolina $87,870 Details →
#40 Iowa $86,860 Details →
#41 North Dakota $86,860 Details →
#42 Wyoming $86,860 Details →
#43 Kansas $84,840 Details →
#44 Kentucky $83,830 Details →
#45 South Dakota $83,830 Details →
#46 Alabama $82,820 Details →
#47 Oklahoma $82,820 Details →
#48 Arkansas $78,780 Details →
#49 West Virginia $76,760 Details →
#50 Mississippi $75,750 Details →

Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay

Data shows Database Administrators who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $44,000 over your career trajectory.

Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →

Key Responsibilities

  • ● Install, configure, and maintain database management systems
  • ● Monitor database performance and optimize queries
  • ● Implement backup and disaster recovery procedures
  • ● Manage database security, access controls, and compliance
  • ● Plan and execute database migrations and upgrades

Top Skills

SQL Oracle PostgreSQL MySQL Performance Tuning Backup/Recovery

Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Job Outlook

Faster than average — projected 8% growth over the next decade

Open to New Database Administrator Opportunities?

Get matched with recruiters hiring database administrators at competitive salaries. We'll connect you with opportunities — no spam, no job boards.

Free — no obligations

Or browse open positions directly:

Frequently Asked Questions About Database Administrator Salaries

How much does a Database Administrator make per year? ▼
The median database administrator salary in the United States is $101,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $62,000, while senior-level professionals earn up to $145,000 annually. The mean (average) salary is $105,250.
How much does a Database Administrator make per hour? ▼
Based on the national median salary of $101,000 per year, a database administrator earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by experience, location, and employer.
What is the highest paying state for database administrators? ▼
Hawaii is the highest paying state for database administrators, with a median salary of $166,650. Other top-paying states include California ($154,530) and Massachusetts ($146,450).
What education do you need to become a database administrator? ▼
Most database administrator positions require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL. Relevant certifications and hands-on experience can also strengthen your qualifications.
What is the job outlook for database administrators? ▼
Employment for database administrators is projected to grow 8% over the next decade, which is faster than average. There are currently 168,800 database administrators employed in the United States.
How much does an entry-level database administrator make? ▼
An entry-level database administrator with 0-2 years of experience earns around $62,000 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to approximately $100,000. The bottom 10% of earners make $58,200, while the top 10% earn $159,010.