Database Administrator Salary
Database administrators manage and maintain database systems, ensuring data integrity, performance, and availability. They handle backups, security, and optimization of database environments.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Database Administrator
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $133,180 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $132,370 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $127,760 |
| 4 | Nashville, TN | $123,920 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $123,830 |
| 6 | Raleigh, NC | $122,950 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $122,390 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $121,550 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | $120,120 |
| 10 | Houston, TX | $116,030 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville, TN | 96.3 | $128,630 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | 98.1 | $126,272 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | 98.2 | $125,259 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $122,264 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $119,838 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | 103.1 | $118,722 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | 98.6 | $117,643 |
| 8 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $116,993 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $113,554 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | 100.1 | $110,886 |
Database Administrator Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $99,040 | $133,180 | $164,490 | $181,520 | 1,010 |
| Boston, MA | $96,010 | $132,370 | $160,060 | $176,570 | 1,910 |
| San Francisco, CA | $92,810 | $127,760 | $163,940 | $210,810 | 1,470 |
| Nashville, TN | $90,730 | $123,920 | $163,590 | $163,600 | 750 |
| Austin, TX | $93,210 | $123,830 | $141,030 | $162,800 | 1,110 |
| Raleigh, NC | $98,080 | $122,950 | $142,470 | $163,550 | 510 |
| Dallas, TX | $94,510 | $122,390 | $143,530 | $163,320 | 2,430 |
| New York, NY | $87,370 | $121,550 | $162,390 | $185,400 | 3,630 |
| Denver, CO | $80,830 | $120,120 | $145,390 | $165,190 | 800 |
| Houston, TX | $85,040 | $116,030 | $141,080 | $159,890 | 1,090 |
| Charlotte, NC | $82,120 | $113,890 | $139,020 | $164,220 | 550 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $83,340 | $112,540 | $154,670 | $168,050 | 2,280 |
| Atlanta, GA | $78,520 | $110,950 | $138,510 | $163,430 | 1,780 |
| Detroit, MI | $81,640 | $110,160 | $132,900 | $153,710 | 510 |
| Chicago, IL | $77,410 | $109,680 | $135,990 | $164,050 | 1,870 |
| Washington, DC | $92,350 | $108,750 | $141,840 | $171,170 | 3,730 |
| San Diego, CA | $73,290 | $106,820 | $140,610 | $171,120 | 730 |
| Miami, FL | $73,750 | $105,590 | $138,210 | $164,430 | 860 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $79,180 | $104,280 | $134,180 | $158,930 | 810 |
| Portland, OR | $79,180 | $103,110 | $126,760 | $140,810 | 730 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $78,840 | $102,070 | $132,000 | $165,250 | 470 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $71,220 | $101,610 | $133,270 | $151,590 | 790 |
| Columbus, OH | $76,370 | $101,450 | $126,900 | $144,430 | 430 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $78,680 | $99,990 | $126,310 | $152,860 | 430 |
| Richmond, VA | $70,380 | $99,690 | $129,370 | $158,160 | 600 |
| Louisville, KY | $66,880 | $96,850 | $129,170 | $141,030 | 190 |
| Memphis, TN | $70,200 | $92,680 | $118,270 | $142,100 | 250 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $63,920 | $81,070 | $113,540 | $134,040 | 440 |
| El Paso, TX | $36,550 | $78,520 | $102,650 | $123,520 | 140 |
5About the Database Administrator Role
Database administrators manage and maintain database systems, ensuring data integrity, performance, and availability. They handle backups, security, and optimization of database environments.
Compensation for Database Administrators varies by metro — from $78,520 at the low end in El Paso, TX to $133,180 in Seattle, WA. The $54,660 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see database administrator salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Database Administrator salary in the US?
The national median Database Administrator salary is $104,620 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $79,610 and the 90th percentile reaches $163,320.
Which city pays Database Administrators the most?
Among the 29 metro areas covered here, Seattle, WA has the highest median wage for Database Administrators at $133,180 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Boston, MA ($132,370) and San Francisco, CA ($127,760) are next.