Database Administrator Salary in Brookings, SD: $81,810 (2026)

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

Brookings offers a median database administrator salary of $81,810, which is $2,020 below the South Dakota state average of $83,830. Compared to the national median of $101,000, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $81,810 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,128 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for database administrators seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for database administrators in Brookings spans from $47,142 at the 10th percentile to $128,798 at the 90th percentile — a $81,656 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $50,220, while senior database administrators with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,450. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Database Administrator Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level database administrator earns around $50,220, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,450 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$50,220

$-11,780 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$81,000

$-19,000 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$117,450

$-27,550 vs national

Percentile	Brookings	SD State	National
10th Percentile	$47,142	$48,306	$58,200
25th Percentile	$62,694	$64,242	$77,400
Median (50th)	$81,810	$83,830	$101,000
75th Percentile	$104,166	$106,738	$128,600
90th Percentile	$128,798	$131,978	$159,010

Percentile

Brookings

10th Percentile

$47,142

25th Percentile

$62,694

Median (50th)

$81,810

75th Percentile

$104,166

90th Percentile

$128,798

How to Become a Database Administrator in Brookings

Education

Most database administrator positions require a bachelor's degree. Brookings and the surrounding South Dakota 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 Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Database Administrator Salary in Brookings

How much does a Database Administrator make in Brookings, SD? ▼

The median database administrator salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $81,810 per year, which is 19% below the national median of $101,000. Salaries range from $47,142 (10th percentile) to $128,798 (90th percentile).

How much does a Database Administrator make per hour in Brookings? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $81,810, a database administrator in Brookings earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for database administrator pay? ▼

Brookings's median database administrator salary of $81,810 is 2.4% below the South Dakota state average of $83,830. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼

Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a database administrator salary of $81,810 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a database administrator in Brookings? ▼

Most database administrator positions in Brookings 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.

Database Administrator Salary in Brookings, South Dakota