29 Honest Database Administrator Salaries

Database administrators (DBAs) are essential for companies that rely on fast, secure access to data. These professionals specialize in managing, configuring, and maintaining databases to ensure they run smoothly, securely, and efficiently. For data-driven organizations, DBAs play a critical role in keeping operations profitable and information accessible.

Determining a fair DBA salary can be tricky, especially in the IT field, where regional disparities—known as the "coastal effect"—complicate things. Salaries in high-cost cities like New York, D.C., Seattle, and Silicon Valley in California often skew the averages, creating a stark contrast with compensation in other parts of the country.

So, what can you expect to earn as a DBA? Read on to explore salary trends, how location influences pay, and what your expertise is worth in today’s job market.

29 Real Salaries for Database Administrators

To provide a snapshot of DBA salaries across the U.S., we gathered data from job postings, salary comparison sites, and job descriptions in big and small cities—coastal hubs, Midwestern towns, and everything in between. We segmented the data into low, average, and high salary ranges, offering both a national overview and a closer look at specific cities.

Here’s what the national picture reveals:

• National average salary: $99,093

• High range: $146,691

• Low range: $66,940

However, salary trends often shift at the local level. To capture these regional differences, we’ve compiled a chart of DBA salaries in 29 cities across the country. Take a look below to see how location impacts earnings.

Note: All salaries are from Indeed.com and were last updated in November 2024.

DBA Salary Takeaways

Low-paid database administrators are paid roughly the same in most parts of the country. There are exceptions, like California, northern Virginia, Seattle, Denver, and urban Texas. Still, for the majority of cities on our list, the difference from city to city for low-paid DBAs is about $10,000. This suggests two things. First, entry-level database administrators should feel confident about entering the job market. Second, to get paid a lot as a DBA, you’ll need to “level up” your skills and knowledge.

For high-paid database administrators, location plays a much bigger role in earning potential. For example, a high-paid DBA in Springfield, Missouri, earns about $20,000 less per year than one in McAllen, Texas. In contrast, the difference in low salaries between those same cities is only about $1,000. This indicates that highly qualified and experienced DBAs should consider looking beyond their local job market to maximize earning potential.

Unsurprisingly, the highest-paying database administrator jobs are also in the most expensive cities. Cities like San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Seattle, known for expensive rent and living expenses, also offer DBAs some of the highest average salaries. This trend reflects the growing demand for IT professionals in urban areas and the accompanying rise in living costs.

The salary gap between low-paid and high-paid DBAs remains relatively stable in most places. The difference averaged around $17,000 in more than half the cities surveyed. However, there are notable exceptions, particularly in regions with higher-than-average disparities, where the gap can widen significantly. In these areas, experienced DBAs have the potential to earn much more than their entry-level counterparts.

3 Salary Considerations for Database Administrators

Now that you’ve made your way through all that raw data, maybe you’re wondering the most important question of all, “how do I get up to that high-paid range?” It’s a good question, and from here to the end, we’re going to try to answer it.

It may seem obvious, but a database administrator who wants to earn more needs to know how to make themselves more valuable to their company or to a new employer. There are three pillars to making yourself more valuable as a DBA: 

1. Knowing the tools of the trade

2. Earning certifications

3. Choosing your industry wisely

We'll cover each of these pillars in the next three sections. 

6 Database Administration Tools You Have to Know

Database administration is a highly digital profession. Diagnosing and fixing issues often involves navigating software layers or writing code, rather than directly interacting with the data. DBAs rely on powerful tools to manage these tasks efficiently. Below are six must-know tools and technologies for any aspiring or experienced DBA:

1. Oracle Database

Oracle remains one of the most popular database engines, prized for its security and efficiency. Although it’s costly, many organizations are willing to invest in Oracle due to its reliability and performance. DBAs skilled in Oracle databases are invaluable, especially in industries requiring robust security.

Salary Impact: Expertise in Oracle often leads to high-paying positions, as companies willing to invest in the platform tend to offer top-tier salaries.

2. Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a robust and secure database solution favored by large enterprises. While it doesn’t always integrate as seamlessly with non-Microsoft environments, its user-friendly tools and brand reliability make it a staple in many IT infrastructures.

Salary Impact: Proficiency in SQL Server is highly sought after, particularly in enterprise environments, where DBAs with this expertise can command premium salaries.

3. MySQL

An open-source favorite, MySQL is known for its scalability, flexibility, and high availability. Its cost-effectiveness makes it a go-to solution for startups and smaller companies, although larger organizations often incorporate it alongside commercial databases.

Salary Impact: MySQL knowledge is essential for DBAs in various environments, as it remains widely used across industries.

4. SQL (Structured Query Language)

SQL is the backbone of database management. While many tools abstract SQL commands with user-friendly interfaces, DBAs with a deep understanding of SQL can optimize databases, write complex queries, and troubleshoot performance issues more effectively.

Salary Impact: Strong SQL skills are a foundational requirement for DBAs and often differentiate top earners from their peers.

5. Python

As one of the world’s most popular programming languages, Python is a versatile tool for DBAs. With libraries like SQLAlchemy and Pandas, Python enhances database navigation, analysis, and reporting. While not a core requirement for DBAs, Python is increasingly valuable for automating tasks and managing large datasets.

Salary Impact: Learning Python can significantly boost earning potential, especially in roles requiring data analysis or automation.

6. Cloud Database Services

Modern DBAs must be familiar with cloud platforms like AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, and Azure SQL Database. These tools enable organizations to scale databases seamlessly and manage infrastructure efficiently.

Salary Impact: Cloud expertise is becoming essential for DBAs, with certifications in platforms like AWS or Azure often leading to higher-paying roles.

3 Best Certifications for Database Administrators

When it comes to database administration certifications, the best ones usually come from the same vendor as the databases your company is using. In other words, you probably shouldn’t get started with the MCSA: SQL Server if your company uses Oracle databases. Here are the industry certifications that can set your career apart.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate

If your company relies on Microsoft Azure for data needs, the Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate is a $165 cert that measures your ability to plan and implement data resources, plan security, and monitor and manage operational resources. If you’re new to database administration, Microsoft’s Azure Data Fundamentals might be a better place to start.

Salary impact of Azure Database Administrator Associate: Significant. For database administrators looking to make their mark and improve their job prospects at a company already using Microsoft database solutions, the ADAA is a no-brainer. If it’s the technology you’re using, getting Microsoft’s certification will guarantee you’ve mastered all its features.

Oracle Database 23ai Administration Certified Associate

The Oracle Database 23c Administration Certified Associate certification is ideal for aspiring database professionals, such as database administrators, data warehouse administrators, database designers, or support engineers, seeking foundational expertise in Oracle Database technology. This entry-level certification validates essential skills for creating, maintaining, securing, and monitoring Oracle Databases.

Oracle recommends candidates complete formal training and have at least one year of field experience before attempting the exam. Additionally, a basic understanding of relational database systems and familiarity with UNIX operating system commands will provide a strong foundation for success.

Salary impact of Oracle Database 23ai Administration Certified Associate: Medium. For companies using Oracle databases, earning the Oracle Database 23c Administration Certified Associate certification can significantly boost your career prospects. This certification equips you with essential skills, including designing, securing, and monitoring databases, making you a valuable asset to employers. However, not all companies use Oracle. 

AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate 

The AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate certification is the newest addition to the AWS certification lineup, introduced in March 2024. It is designed for professionals who work with data in the cloud, validating their ability to design, build, and maintain secure and scalable data solutions on AWS. The certification exam costs $150 and requires a solid understanding of AWS data services and a minimum of six months to a year of hands-on experience in the field.

Salary impact of AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate: Considerable. As organizations increasingly rely on data to drive decisions, this certification demonstrates your ability to handle complex data pipelines, optimize data storage, and leverage AWS services to maximize efficiency. Employers highly value professionals with this expertise, as cloud-based data solutions are critical to modern business operations.

What Type of Companies Need Database Administrators?

Any company that deals with huge amounts of data needs database administrators. In fact, even companies that maintain an online storefront or keep a handful of websites running need a database administrator. DBAs are valuable to most companies, but the best prospects for promotion and raises come from the industries that are huge consumers of data: finance, medical, and manufacturing.

Financial Firms

The world of finance is driven by accessing huge amounts of data taken in from diverse sources worldwide and making intelligent guesses about what all that data suggests. Teams of database administrators ensure that finance companies always have the data they need, and they’re often very well compensated for it.

Career impact of working in the finance industry: Huge. The finance industry is permanently tied up with big data, and the most profitable companies are the ones investing most heavily in responsive, scalable, powerful data solutions. A thoroughly trained and experienced database administrator can expect excellent security and high pay in the finance sector.

Medical Industry

Hospitals, healthcare providers, medical supply manufacturers, and insurers are consolidating worldwide. As that consolidation occurs, the need for sturdy, scalable data structures increases, as does the need for compliance and security. The medical industry is rapidly growing. Tons of capital are finding its way to the industry, and database administrators will find their skills well-compensated.

Career impact of working in the medical industry: Huge. Keeping data secure and available to medical practitioners, users and partners is one of the biggest concerns facing hospitals and healthcare providers. A database administrator who can manage huge data stores and keep traffic secure and available can depend on a stable, growing career.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector, especially in the United States, always depends on high-speed data. Supply chains, delivery logistics, pricing fluctuations, and more all affect the profitability of companies creating and sending products worldwide. A database administrator keeps all that data available and useful.

Career impact of working in the medical industry: Significant. Many parts of the manufacturing industry are on the cutting edge of implementing data technologies that keep them profitable. That’s not true everywhere, but a diligent database administrator who learns to recognize the most forward-looking manufacturers and provide them with much-needed data support can look forward to being compensated very well.

How to Increase Your Salary as a Database Administrator

For IT professionals considering a database administration career, there’s only good news: jobs are plentiful, big data is only becoming more and more profitable, and the best-trained, certified database administrators earn six-figure salaries.

Getting to that point in your DBA career can be challenging. You’d be right to feel overwhelmed by your options, but hopefully, this short analysis has helped show some of the ways you can improve your odds of moving your salary upward. 

Without a doubt, being on the cutting edge of technology and tools for data administration is key. Getting certified in those tools, especially the database technology your company (or dream company) uses, is also a great way to improve your salary. But above all, know your worth.

Not a CBT Nuggets subscriber? Claim your free week of training.