Technology Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Database Administrator Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median database administrator salary in Des Moines, IA is $89,890 per year, which is 11% below the national median and 3.5% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$89,890
vs State Avg
+$3,030
vs National
$-11,110
Cost of Living
92%

Database Administrator Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median database administrator salary of $89,890, which is $3,030 above the Iowa state average of $86,860. Compared to the national median of $101,000, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% 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 Des Moines spans from $51,798 at the 10th percentile to $141,519 at the 90th percentile — a $89,721 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,180, while senior database administrators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $129,050. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Database Administrator Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level database administrator earns around $55,180, while experienced professionals earn up to $129,050 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,180
$-6,820 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$89,000
$-11,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$129,050
$-15,950 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $51,798
25th Percentile $68,886
Median (50th) $89,890
75th Percentile $114,454
90th Percentile $141,519

Database Administrator Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$92,920
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$85,850
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$83,830
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$81,810
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Database Administrator in Des Moines

Education

Most database administrator positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa 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 Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Database Administrator Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open database administrator positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Database Administrator Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Database Administrator make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median database administrator salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $89,890 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $101,000. Salaries range from $51,798 (10th percentile) to $141,519 (90th percentile).
How much does a Database Administrator make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,890, a database administrator in Des Moines earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for database administrator pay? ▼
Des Moines's median database administrator salary of $89,890 is 3.5% above the Iowa state average of $86,860. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a database administrator salary of $89,890 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a database administrator in Des Moines? ▼
Most database administrator positions in Des Moines 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.