Technology Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Database Administrator Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median database administrator salary in Chicago, IL is $113,120 per year, which is 12.0% above the national median and 12.0% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$113,120
vs State Avg
+$12,120
vs National
+$12,120
Cost of Living
107%

Database Administrator Pay in Chicago: What to Expect (2026)

Chicago offers a median database administrator salary of $113,120, which is $12,120 above the Illinois state average of $101,000. Compared to the national median of $101,000, Chicago pays above average for this role.

Chicago's cost of living is 107% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for database administrators in Chicago spans from $65,184 at the 10th percentile to $178,091 at the 90th percentile — a $112,907 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $69,440, while senior database administrators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,400. As a major metro area with a population of 2,693,976, Chicago typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Database Administrator Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level database administrator earns around $69,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$69,440
+$7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$112,000
+$12,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,400
+$17,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $65,184
25th Percentile $86,688
Median (50th) $113,120
75th Percentile $144,032
90th Percentile $178,091

Database Administrator Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$114,130
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$101,000
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$90,900
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$87,870
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Database Administrator in Chicago

Education

Most database administrator positions require a bachelor's degree. Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

SQLOraclePostgreSQLMySQLPerformance TuningBackup/Recovery

Job Outlook

Nationally, database administrator employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Database Administrator Jobs in Chicago

Browse open database administrator positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Database Administrator Salary in Chicago

How much does a Database Administrator make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median database administrator salary in Chicago, Illinois is $113,120 per year, which is 12.0% above the national median of $101,000. Salaries range from $65,184 (10th percentile) to $178,091 (90th percentile).
How much does a Database Administrator make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $113,120, a database administrator in Chicago earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for database administrator pay? ▼
Chicago's median database administrator salary of $113,120 is 12.0% above the Illinois state average of $101,000. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a database administrator salary of $113,120 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a database administrator in Chicago? ▼
Most database administrator positions in Chicago require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.