Database Administrator Salary in 2026
Database administrators manage and optimize database systems to ensure data integrity, security, and availability. They handle backup, recovery, and performance tuning for critical data stores.
Median Salary
$104,620
$8,718/mo
Entry Level
$60,900
starting pay
Senior Level
$137,700
experienced
Job Growth
+8%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Database Administrators (SOC 15-1242) at a national median of $104,620 per year (mean $110,090), or $50.30 per hour, with 69,990 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Database Administrator Overview
Database administrators manage and optimize database systems to ensure data integrity, security, and availability. They handle backup, recovery, and performance tuning for critical data stores.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
3-5 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
70K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$50.30/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,718
Database Administrator Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Database Administrator salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Database Administrator Salary
$112,000
$9,333/month · $4,308/biweekly · $53.85/hr
Database Administrator Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Database Administrator field.
Entry-level Database Administrators earn around $60,900, while the top 10% earn $154,800 or more.
Top Paying States for Database Administrators
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $123,000 | +$18,380 |
| New York | $120,000 | +$15,380 |
| Virginia | $111,000 | +$6,380 |
| Texas | $103,000 | $-1,620 |
| Florida | $103,000 | $-1,620 |
Top Paying Cities for Database Administrators
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $131,000 | +$26,380 |
| New York | $123,000 | +$18,380 |
| Washington DC | $120,000 | +$15,380 |
| Dallas | $105,000 | +$380 |
| Atlanta | $103,000 | $-1,620 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Database Administrator Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Database Administrator from entry level to expert.
$60,900
0-2 years
$99,000
3-7 years
$137,700
8-14 years
$171,900
15+ years
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Database Administrator Salary FAQ
How much does a Database Administrator make in 2026?
The median salary for a Database Administrator in the United States is $104,620 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Database Administrators (SOC 15-1242); the mean is $110,090. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $60,900, senior professionals around $137,700, and top earners at $171,900 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Database Administrator?
A Database Administrator typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of experience. Key skills include SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL. Relevant certifications such as Oracle Certified Professional or Microsoft Azure Database can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Database Administrators?
The job market for Database Administrators is projected to grow by 8% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 70K Database Administrator positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 14%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Database Administrators the most?
The highest-paying states for Database Administrators include Texas, California, Virginia. In Texas, the median salary is approximately $103,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Database Administrator salary?
To increase your Database Administrator salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like SQL and Oracle. Pursue certifications such as Oracle Certified Professional. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Dallas. With 3-5 years of experience, you can progress from $60,900 to $137,700 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Database Administrator Salary
How we calculate Database Administrator salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Database Administrators (SOC 15-1242), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $104,620, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Database Administrators; BLS mean $110,090; BLS hourly median $50.30.
- Entry-level ($60,900) and senior-level ($137,700) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +8% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 69,990 Database Administrators jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 14% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Technology sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $104,620; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Database Administrator compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Database Administrator job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Technology
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Database Administrator salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (SQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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