Database administrator salary
BLS occupation: Database Administrators · Computers and math · data for May 2025
Median salary $104,620 a year, US
Median hourly pay $50.30 an hour
Middle half earn $79,610–$135,460 25th to 75th percentile
Database administrators employed 69,990 −0.1% projected by 2035
How much does a database administrator make?
- The median database administrator salary in the US is $104,620 a year ($50.30 an hour): half of the 69,990 database administrators BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $110,090.
- The middle half earn between $79,610 and $135,460. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $60,230 and the top 10% more than $163,320.
- That is 2.1 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Utah pays database administrators the most (median $135,750), followed by Massachusetts ($129,300) and New Jersey ($125,860). Maine pays the least ($70,500).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Utah, where the median is worth $137,310 in typical US prices, then Tennessee and Massachusetts.
- In 173 of the 191 metro areas with data, the median database administrator salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of database administrators to shrink 0.1% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 3,300 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what database administrators are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Database administrator salary range
Half of database administrators earn between $79,610 and $135,460 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $60,230
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $79,610
Median Yearly pay: $104,620
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $135,460
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $163,320
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $60,230 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $79,610 |
| Median | $104,620 |
| Top 25% earn over | $135,460 |
| Top 10% earn over | $163,320 |
Database administrator salary by state
Utah pays database administrators the most; Maine the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($104,620), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Utah | $135,750 median |
| Massachusetts | $129,300 median |
| New Jersey | $125,860 median |
| Maryland | $124,300 median |
| District of Columbia | $118,540 median |
| Colorado | $118,340 median |
| Washington | $118,140 median |
| Tennessee | $115,500 median |
| Texas | $114,400 median |
| North Carolina | $113,900 median |
| California | $113,060 median |
| Nevada | $109,670 median |
| Alaska | $108,810 median |
| Connecticut | $108,270 median |
| Georgia | $106,810 median |
| Rhode Island | $106,020 median |
| New York | $105,900 median |
| Illinois | $104,650 median |
| Arizona | $104,280 median |
| Vermont | $104,230 median |
| Florida | $104,120 median |
| Iowa | $101,210 median |
| Delaware | $100,910 median |
| Minnesota | $100,700 median |
| Missouri | $100,270 median |
| Oregon | $100,260 median |
| Kansas | $100,170 median |
| Pennsylvania | $100,110 median |
| Nebraska | $100,020 median |
| Wisconsin | $100,020 median |
| Michigan | $99,830 median |
| New Mexico | $98,450 median |
| Louisiana | $98,270 median |
| Ohio | $97,190 median |
| Oklahoma | $95,320 median |
| Alabama | $93,900 median |
| South Carolina | $93,640 median |
| Virginia | $93,320 median |
| New Hampshire | $92,110 median |
| Indiana | $90,090 median |
| Mississippi | $87,790 median |
| Kentucky | $87,390 median |
| Idaho | $85,660 median |
| Hawaii | $85,500 median |
| Montana | $83,120 median |
| South Dakota | $82,540 median |
| Arkansas | $82,480 median |
| Wyoming | $82,480 median |
| North Dakota | $78,730 median |
| West Virginia | $73,490 median |
| Maine | $70,500 median |
Where database administrator pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Database administrators' pay goes furthest in Utah once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Utah | $137,310 |
| Tennessee | $125,721 |
| Massachusetts | $122,261 |
| North Carolina | $120,751 |
| Maryland | $118,427 |
| Texas | $117,869 |
| New Jersey | $115,675 |
| Iowa | $115,323 |
| Colorado | $114,835 |
| Louisiana | $111,408 |
Database administrator pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | $135,750 | $65.26 | $75,450 | $149,950 | 1,200 | $137,310 |
| Massachusetts | $129,300 | $62.16 | $69,380 | $173,210 | 2,310 | $122,261 |
| New Jersey | $125,860 | $60.51 | $69,080 | $176,130 | 1,810 | $115,675 |
| Maryland | $124,300 | $59.76 | $73,650 | $172,110 | 2,300 | $118,427 |
| District of Columbia | $118,540 | $56.99 | $74,360 | $154,750 | 560 | $107,861 |
| Colorado | $118,340 | $56.89 | $61,930 | $164,780 | 1,220 | $114,835 |
| Washington | $118,140 | $56.80 | $72,170 | $170,710 | 1,730 | $110,398 |
| Tennessee | $115,500 | $55.53 | $59,050 | $163,600 | 2,020 | $125,721 |
| Texas | $114,400 | $55.00 | $59,950 | $161,590 | 6,430 | $117,869 |
| North Carolina | $113,900 | $54.76 | $62,430 | $160,160 | 1,920 | $120,751 |
| California | $113,060 | $54.36 | $62,410 | $178,310 | 7,240 | $102,113 |
| Nevada | $109,670 | $52.73 | $69,330 | $145,810 | 380 | $109,693 |
| Alaska | $108,810 | $52.31 | $66,190 | $138,330 | 90 | $106,302 |
| Connecticut | $108,270 | $52.05 | $65,400 | $157,350 | 810 | $104,498 |
| Georgia | $106,810 | $51.35 | $54,850 | $160,070 | 2,460 | $110,922 |
| Rhode Island | $106,020 | $50.97 | $63,430 | $154,860 | 280 | $103,657 |
| New York | $105,900 | $50.91 | $60,090 | $178,580 | 3,590 | $98,127 |
| Illinois | $104,650 | $50.31 | $59,990 | $163,970 | 2,340 | $104,694 |
| Arizona | $104,280 | $50.13 | $59,120 | $155,290 | 1,120 | $103,579 |
| Vermont | $104,230 | $50.11 | $69,280 | $130,990 | 120 | $106,403 |
| Florida | $104,120 | $50.06 | $56,300 | $161,090 | 3,810 | $100,683 |
| Iowa | $101,210 | $48.66 | $58,440 | $156,540 | 360 | $115,323 |
| Delaware | $100,910 | $48.51 | $65,090 | $167,520 | 670 | $101,104 |
| Minnesota | $100,700 | $48.41 | $61,120 | $151,590 | 1,020 | $102,108 |
| Missouri | $100,270 | $48.21 | $57,730 | $150,490 | 1,140 | $110,409 |
| Oregon | $100,260 | $48.20 | $61,000 | $140,170 | 1,060 | $97,000 |
| Kansas | $100,170 | $48.16 | $65,170 | $159,650 | 440 | $111,216 |
| Pennsylvania | $100,110 | $48.13 | $58,780 | $158,360 | 2,450 | $102,601 |
| Nebraska | $100,020 | $48.09 | $63,610 | $141,860 | 610 | $111,006 |
| Wisconsin | $100,020 | $48.09 | $62,440 | $149,430 | 1,220 | $106,297 |
| Michigan | $99,830 | $48.00 | $58,540 | $150,140 | 1,150 | $103,755 |
| New Mexico | $98,450 | $47.33 | $66,470 | $139,250 | 570 | $106,765 |
| Louisiana | $98,270 | $47.25 | $48,910 | $150,900 | 290 | $111,408 |
| Ohio | $97,190 | $46.73 | $49,960 | $158,910 | 1,860 | $104,760 |
| Oklahoma | $95,320 | $45.83 | $57,580 | $134,990 | 790 | $108,512 |
| Alabama | $93,900 | $45.14 | $60,500 | $134,810 | 1,840 | $105,716 |
| South Carolina | $93,640 | $45.02 | $54,040 | $149,000 | 990 | $99,884 |
| Virginia | $93,320 | $44.87 | $60,840 | $160,190 | 5,940 | $92,301 |
| New Hampshire | $92,110 | $44.28 | $60,670 | $145,290 | 250 | $88,427 |
| Indiana | $90,090 | $43.31 | $56,710 | $144,520 | 930 | $96,529 |
| Mississippi | $87,790 | $42.21 | $50,740 | $129,160 | 200 | $100,963 |
| Kentucky | $87,390 | $42.01 | $47,150 | $139,840 | 650 | $96,929 |
| Idaho | $85,660 | $41.18 | $50,460 | $138,930 | 180 | $89,702 |
| Hawaii | $85,500 | $41.11 | $51,050 | $137,180 | 100 | $77,762 |
| Montana | $83,120 | $39.96 | $71,740 | $104,300 | 300 | $87,823 |
| South Dakota | $82,540 | $39.68 | $64,140 | $110,130 | 170 | $93,175 |
| Arkansas | $82,480 | $39.65 | $53,690 | $127,850 | 420 | $94,873 |
| Wyoming | $82,480 | $39.65 | $42,890 | $115,820 | 100 | $88,984 |
| North Dakota | $78,730 | $37.85 | $57,320 | $122,360 | 80 | $88,501 |
| West Virginia | $73,490 | $35.33 | $48,110 | $121,010 | 240 | $82,114 |
| Maine | $70,500 | $33.89 | $51,640 | $118,950 | 260 | $72,643 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Database administrator salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes database administrator pay: 194 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $138,620
- Seattle, WA $133,180
- Boston, MA $132,370
- San Luis Obispo, CA $130,780
- Provo, UT $129,010
- Fort Collins, CO $128,780
- San Francisco, CA $127,760
- Bridgeport, CT $125,760
- Vallejo, CA $125,600
- Tampa, FL $124,560
Where the pay goes furthest
- Columbus, GA $134,093
- Provo, UT $131,332
- Nashville, TN $128,630
- Fort Collins, CO $127,344
- Tulsa, OK $127,133
- Austin, TX $126,272
- San Jose, CA $125,535
- Raleigh, NC $125,259
- Champaign, IL $123,652
- Tampa, FL $123,461
All 194 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $138,620 | 580 | $125,535 | 33% |
| Seattle, WA | $133,180 | 1,010 | $119,838 | 20% |
| Boston, MA | $132,370 | 1,910 | $122,264 | 27% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $130,780 | 60 | $120,428 | 26% |
| Provo, UT | $129,010 | 160 | $131,332 | 16% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $128,780 | 60 | $127,344 | 18% |
| San Francisco, CA | $127,760 | 1,470 | $110,507 | 32% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $125,760 | 200 | $117,682 | 27% |
| Vallejo, CA | $125,600 | 30 | $115,783 | 24% |
| Tampa, FL | $124,560 | 670 | $123,461 | 19% |
| Oxnard, CA | $124,040 | 110 | $112,219 | 29% |
| Nashville, TN | $123,920 | 750 | $128,630 | 17% |
| Austin, TX | $123,830 | 1,110 | $126,272 | 16% |
| Baltimore, MD | $123,730 | 1,190 | $118,417 | 19% |
| Trenton, NJ | $123,490 | 170 | $119,684 | 25% |
| Raleigh, NC | $122,950 | 510 | $125,259 | 16% |
| Dallas, TX | $122,390 | 2,430 | $118,722 | 16% |
| New York, NY | $121,550 | 3,630 | $107,984 | 35% |
| Anchorage, AK | $121,260 | 50 | $115,026 | 19% |
| Sacramento, CA | $120,500 | 410 | $112,965 | 23% |
| Denver, CO | $120,120 | 800 | $113,554 | 19% |
| Columbus, GA | $119,740 | 40 | $134,093 | 14% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $118,170 | 110 | $117,340 | 18% |
| Durham, NC | $117,950 | 220 | $120,885 | 17% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $116,630 | 80 | $115,750 | 21% |
| Boulder, CO | $116,250 | 110 | $110,502 | 23% |
| Houston, TX | $116,030 | 1,090 | $117,643 | 17% |
| Olympia, WA | $115,330 | 390 | $111,247 | 21% |
| Orlando, FL | $115,100 | 580 | $113,491 | 20% |
| Springfield, MA | $114,850 | 90 | $119,559 | 21% |
| Champaign, IL | $114,630 | 50 | $123,652 | 14% |
| Charlotte, NC | $113,890 | 550 | $116,993 | 18% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $113,500 | 300 | $114,089 | 18% |
| Tulsa, OK | $113,420 | 140 | $127,133 | 15% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $112,540 | 2,280 | $99,097 | 31% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $112,160 | 110 | $112,154 | 20% |
| Bellingham, WA | $111,990 | 30 | $108,377 | 21% |
| Atlanta, GA | $110,950 | 1,780 | $110,886 | 20% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $110,740 | 270 | $110,502 | 19% |
| Detroit, MI | $110,160 | 510 | $109,833 | 16% |
| Des Moines, IA | $109,750 | 130 | $119,682 | 14% |
| Chicago, IL | $109,680 | 1,870 | $105,874 | 24% |
| Burlington, VT | $109,090 | 80 | $108,064 | 29% |
| Washington, DC | $108,750 | 3,730 | $99,877 | 27% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $108,740 | 100 | $107,791 | 21% |
| Ogden, UT | $108,600 | 70 | $108,222 | 18% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $108,510 | 70 | $117,891 | 17% |
| Hartford, CT | $108,270 | 310 | $105,376 | 22% |
| Crestview, FL | $107,620 | 40 | $110,913 | 22% |
| San Antonio, TX | $107,410 | 390 | $113,402 | 16% |
| Reno, NV | $107,270 | 50 | $106,193 | 23% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $107,240 | 80 | $118,132 | 15% |
| San Diego, CA | $106,820 | 730 | $95,471 | 33% |
| Greeley, CO | $106,610 | 40 | $106,423 | 19% |
| Omaha, NE | $106,270 | 350 | $115,623 | 16% |
| Madison, WI | $105,680 | 410 | $108,627 | 20% |
| Miami, FL | $105,590 | 860 | $92,497 | 30% |
| Salem, OR | $105,470 | 80 | $101,757 | 19% |
| Kenosha, WI | $105,400 | 50 | $104,235 | – |
| Philadelphia, PA | $104,930 | 1,580 | $102,317 | 22% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $104,880 | 90 | $96,399 | 38% |
| St. Louis, MO | $104,650 | 550 | $110,056 | 16% |
| Bloomington, IN | $104,360 | 100 | $109,756 | 20% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $104,340 | 40 | $96,805 | 31% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $104,280 | 810 | $100,933 | 20% |
| Green Bay, WI | $103,990 | 40 | $111,714 | 13% |
| Rochester, MN | $103,920 | 40 | $114,423 | 18% |
| Kansas City, MO | $103,640 | 440 | $111,991 | 18% |
| Worcester, MA | $103,620 | 130 | $101,070 | 24% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $103,440 | 40 | $109,843 | 19% |
| Huntsville, AL | $103,110 | 300 | $110,785 | 16% |
| Portland, OR | $103,110 | 730 | $97,808 | 21% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $102,510 | 40 | $93,279 | 41% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $102,360 | 400 | $107,329 | 18% |
| Providence, RI | $102,310 | 320 | $100,528 | 25% |
| Albany, NY | $102,160 | 400 | $102,605 | 20% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $102,070 | 470 | $107,815 | 17% |
| Birmingham, AL | $101,850 | 540 | $111,137 | 17% |
| Tyler, TX | $101,680 | 40 | $110,335 | 15% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $101,610 | 790 | $96,936 | 21% |
| Iowa City, IA | $101,580 | 50 | $111,005 | 21% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $101,510 | 310 | $104,717 | 18% |
| Columbus, OH | $101,450 | 430 | $106,265 | 18% |
| Tucson, AZ | $100,790 | 130 | $104,019 | 18% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $100,110 | 190 | $101,480 | 18% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $99,990 | 430 | $104,487 | 18% |
| Lakeland, FL | $99,870 | 50 | $102,809 | 22% |
| Riverside, CA | $99,870 | 370 | $93,826 | 30% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $99,860 | 160 | $101,107 | 23% |
| New Haven, CT | $99,800 | 150 | $95,449 | 25% |
| Richmond, VA | $99,690 | 600 | $101,872 | 21% |
| Spokane, WA | $99,140 | 70 | $98,798 | 18% |
| Cleveland, OH | $99,010 | 380 | $105,416 | 17% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $98,990 | 30 | $106,522 | 15% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $98,450 | 240 | $103,039 | 18% |
| Kingsport, TN | $98,370 | 40 | $113,792 | 16% |
| Charleston, SC | $98,180 | 180 | $97,245 | 25% |
| Modesto, CA | $97,850 | 40 | $93,989 | 25% |
| College Station, TX | $97,720 | 40 | $107,442 | 18% |
| Manchester, NH | $97,700 | 60 | $92,469 | 27% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $97,570 | 60 | $95,331 | 22% |
| Jackson, MS | $97,560 | 60 | $109,559 | 18% |
| Louisville, KY | $96,850 | 190 | $104,057 | 17% |
| Evansville, IN | $96,800 | 30 | $105,760 | 14% |
| Savannah, GA | $96,740 | 50 | $101,611 | 22% |
| Florence, SC | $96,580 | 30 | $111,301 | 19% |
| Asheville, NC | $96,370 | 40 | $99,859 | 21% |
| Montgomery, AL | $95,370 | 490 | $106,342 | 17% |
| Stockton, CA | $94,920 | 60 | $90,323 | 31% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $94,670 | 40 | $100,939 | 19% |
| Augusta, GA | $93,860 | 50 | $102,129 | 19% |
| Chico, CA | $93,650 | 30 | $92,542 | 20% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $93,500 | 100 | $94,305 | 26% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $92,800 | 460 | $94,751 | 24% |
| Memphis, TN | $92,680 | 250 | $100,544 | 18% |
| Greensboro, NC | $92,500 | 70 | $99,607 | 18% |
| Akron, OH | $92,420 | 130 | $98,983 | 17% |
| Bozeman, MT | $91,970 | – | $89,718 | 29% |
| Athens, GA | $91,360 | 30 | $97,876 | 23% |
| Fresno, CA | $90,860 | 100 | $88,941 | 27% |
| Gainesville, FL | $90,570 | 60 | $93,629 | 22% |
| North Port, FL | $90,550 | 100 | $88,413 | 28% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $90,480 | 160 | $94,698 | 21% |
| Dayton, OH | $90,290 | 110 | $97,407 | 18% |
| Little Rock, AR | $89,990 | 210 | $100,701 | 16% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $89,990 | 50 | $98,835 | 20% |
| Mobile, AL | $89,470 | 90 | $101,557 | 17% |
| Lincoln, NE | $89,350 | 100 | $97,564 | 17% |
| Norwich, CT | $89,230 | 30 | $88,835 | 28% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $89,070 | 90 | $88,288 | 25% |
| Fargo, ND | $89,060 | 40 | $98,007 | 15% |
| Naples, FL | $89,010 | 30 | $86,250 | 35% |
| Waterbury, CT | $88,570 | 50 | $88,767 | – |
| Lexington, KY | $88,490 | 110 | $95,264 | 22% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $88,460 | 40 | $95,327 | 16% |
| Utica, NY | $88,360 | 30 | $95,341 | 19% |
| Winchester, VA | $88,130 | 30 | $91,374 | 25% |
| Roanoke, VA | $87,990 | 70 | $93,988 | 19% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $87,560 | 40 | $87,348 | – |
| Binghamton, NY | $87,270 | 40 | $93,977 | 22% |
| Peoria, IL | $86,960 | 30 | $95,318 | 16% |
| Syracuse, NY | $86,810 | 80 | $90,671 | 22% |
| Greenville, SC | $86,800 | 180 | $93,073 | 22% |
| Lancaster, PA | $86,720 | 50 | $88,258 | 22% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $85,800 | 70 | $97,809 | 23% |
| York, PA | $85,630 | 40 | $89,198 | 19% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $85,590 | 260 | $91,132 | 21% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $85,530 | 50 | $94,810 | 21% |
| Eugene, OR | $85,280 | 90 | $83,963 | 25% |
| Springfield, MO | $85,130 | 70 | $96,100 | 18% |
| Topeka, KS | $84,880 | 50 | $95,564 | 18% |
| Honolulu, HI | $84,880 | 100 | $76,495 | 43% |
| Logan, UT | $84,740 | 60 | $88,338 | 20% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $84,730 | – | $93,489 | 18% |
| Bend, OR | $84,660 | 40 | $81,713 | 31% |
| Lansing, MI | $84,420 | 90 | $88,872 | 19% |
| Reading, PA | $84,290 | 60 | $86,843 | 22% |
| Wichita, KS | $84,260 | 70 | $94,732 | 17% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $84,220 | 40 | $95,732 | 14% |
| Salinas, CA | $83,970 | 40 | $77,007 | 40% |
| Gulfport, MS | $83,640 | 30 | $92,927 | 20% |
| Columbia, SC | $83,330 | 250 | $88,969 | 22% |
| Portland, ME | $83,290 | 120 | $81,771 | 33% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $83,260 | 110 | $91,030 | 22% |
| Helena, MT | $83,120 | 60 | $86,877 | 24% |
| Dover, DE | $83,080 | 50 | $85,204 | 26% |
| McAllen, TX | $82,890 | 40 | $96,502 | 16% |
| South Bend, IN | $82,790 | 40 | $89,158 | 18% |
| Deltona, FL | $82,650 | 50 | $83,177 | 26% |
| Allentown, PA | $82,640 | 150 | $82,666 | 27% |
| Missoula, MT | $82,630 | 30 | $85,676 | 24% |
| Boise, ID | $82,620 | 120 | $83,971 | 28% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $82,560 | 50 | $89,185 | 18% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $82,320 | 50 | $88,793 | 24% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $82,310 | 40 | $92,522 | 18% |
| Auburn, AL | $81,710 | – | $92,923 | 23% |
| Rochester, NY | $81,490 | 130 | $83,980 | 23% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $81,300 | 70 | $88,995 | 23% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $81,070 | 440 | $89,671 | 20% |
| Great Falls, MT | $80,470 | 30 | $83,092 | 21% |
| Billings, MT | $80,290 | 40 | $85,848 | 21% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $79,910 | 70 | $89,422 | 19% |
| Scranton, PA | $79,730 | 50 | $85,222 | 20% |
| Columbia, MO | $79,240 | 80 | $88,598 | 22% |
| Springfield, IL | $79,150 | 80 | $85,342 | 18% |
| El Paso, TX | $78,520 | 140 | $87,330 | 23% |
| Toledo, OH | $77,200 | 60 | $84,413 | 20% |
| New Orleans, LA | $76,990 | 70 | $83,145 | 25% |
| Buffalo, NY | $76,820 | 210 | $80,151 | 23% |
| Erie, PA | $74,540 | 30 | $81,957 | 18% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,170 | 90 | $65,956 | 38% |
| Charleston, WV | $70,280 | 60 | $79,218 | 21% |
| Pensacola, FL | $65,210 | 90 | $66,734 | 32% |
| Huntington, WV | $57,680 | 50 | $65,233 | 23% |
What the median database administrator salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $104,620 |
| Month | $8,718 |
| Every two weeks | $4,024 |
| Week | $2,012 |
| Hour | $50.30 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a database administrator: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.1% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 3,300 |
| Self-employed | 1.8% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| Cybersecurity analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| Actuary | $130,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network engineer | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| Data scientist | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| UX designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Systems analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about database administrator pay
How much does a database administrator make an hour?
The median is $50.30 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28.96 and the top 10% over $78.52.
How much does a database administrator make a month?
About $8,718 a month before taxes at the median salary of $104,620, or $4,024 every two weeks.
What state pays database administrators the most?
Utah, with a median of $135,750. Massachusetts ($129,300), New Jersey ($125,860), Maryland ($124,300) and the District of Columbia ($118,540) follow.
Where do database administrators make the most after cost of living?
Utah: its median of $135,750 is worth $137,310 at typical US prices. Tennessee, Massachusetts and North Carolina come next.
How much do entry-level database administrators make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of database administrators earn under $60,230 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $79,610, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a database administrator?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 15-1242 (Database Administrators). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.