Database Administrator Salary in Dallas, TX
Database Administrators in Dallas, TX earn a median of $92,000/year, ranging from $70,840 (25th percentile) to $147,200 (90th percentile). After Texas state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 112), this is equivalent to $82,143 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Dallas, TX
Notable employers in this market include AT&T, which maintains significant operations here, along with financial services firms and healthcare systems that run substantial database infrastructure. You'll find steady demand across banking, insurance, and tech support roles. On the neighborhood front, a 2-bedroom in Uptown runs around $1,600 to $1,800 per month, while areas like Deep Ellum or Lower Greenville offer cheaper options near $1,300. The Dallas metro is car-dependent, though I-35E and the Dallas North Tollway handle most commutes efficiently if you're heading to business districts downtown or in the suburbs. The real advantage here is Texas state income tax is zero, which stretches your take-home further than comparable salaries in other metros. Summer heat can mean longer hours in climate-controlled server rooms, but it's a stable market with consistent infrastructure investment.
1Salary Distribution in Dallas, TX
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Dallas, TX Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX (current) | $92,000 | 112 | $82,143 |
| Austin, TX | $98,000 | 124 | $79,032 |
| Houston, TX | $90,000 | 107 | $84,112 |
| El Paso, TX | $62,000 | 85 | $72,941 |
| San Francisco, CA | $122,000 | 186 | $65,591 |
| New York, NY | $118,000 | 187 | $63,102 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Database Administrator salary in Dallas, TX?
The median Database Administrator salary in Dallas, TX is $92,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $70,840 and the 90th percentile is $147,200.
Is Dallas, TX a good place to work as a Database Administrator?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $92,000 Database Administrator salary in Dallas, TX is equivalent to $82,143 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Dallas, TX?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112, meaning it is 12% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Texas is approximately 0%.
What is the Database Administrator salary range in Dallas, TX?
In Dallas, TX, Database Administrators earn between $70,840 (25th percentile) and $147,200 (90th percentile), with a median of $92,000 per year.
How many Database Administrator jobs are there in Dallas, TX?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 28,000 Database Administrator positions in the Dallas, TX metropolitan area.
What do Database Administrators earn in Dallas, TX?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Database Administrators in Dallas, TX earn a median annual wage of $92,000. The middle 50% earn between $70,840 and $117,760. The top 10% earn more than $147,200. There are approximately 28,000 Database Administrators employed in the Dallas, TX metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5.5%.
Is Dallas, TX a good place for a Database Administrator?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112 (US average = 100), making it 12% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Database Administrator in Dallas, TX earning $92,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $82,143 relative to the US median. Texas has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Dallas, TX?
Dallas, TX's cost of living index is 112, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $92,000 in Dallas, TXhas the same purchasing power as $82,143 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Dallas, TX with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Database Administrator in Dallas, TX?
The headline median of $92,000 is only part of the picture. Dallas, TX's cost of living index is 112 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 89¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $92,000 salary effectively purchases $82,143 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Dallas, TX, housing typically runs 28–35% of gross income for median earners — elevated but still within traditional affordability ranges. For a $92,000 salary, that translates to roughly $29,440/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Texas has no state income tax, which is typically worth 4–8% of gross salary versus a high-tax state. For this role, that's roughly $5,520 per year in additional take-home. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $85,008. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: Austin, TX ($98,000 median, COL 124); Houston, TX ($90,000 median, COL 107); El Paso, TX ($62,000 median, COL 85). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 5.5% year-over-year growth rate for Database Administrators in Dallas, TX is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Database Administrators or the Texas state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.