SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 15-1242 · California · Updated 2026

Database Administrator Salary in San Diego, CA

Database Administrators in San Diego, CA earn a median of $102,000/year, ranging from $78,540 (25th percentile) to $163,200 (90th percentile). After California state taxes (9.3%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 152), this is equivalent to $67,105 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$102,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$78,540
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$130,560
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$163,200
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in San Diego, CA

P25
P75
P25
$78,540
Median
$102,000
P75
$130,560
P90
$163,200

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$102,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$85,483
After 9.3% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$56,239
vs US average (COL index: 152)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does San Diego, CA Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
San Diego, CA (current)$102,000152$67,105
San Francisco, CA$122,000186$65,591
Los Angeles, CA$105,000173$60,694
New York, NY$118,000187$63,102
Seattle, WA$119,000162$73,457
Boston, MA$108,000162$66,667

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Database Administrator salary in San Diego, CA?

The median Database Administrator salary in San Diego, CA is $102,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $78,540 and the 90th percentile is $163,200.

Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a Database Administrator?

San Diego, CA has a cost of living index of 152 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $102,000 Database Administrator salary in San Diego, CA is equivalent to $67,105 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for San Diego, CA?

San Diego, CA has a cost of living index of 152, meaning it is 52% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in California is approximately 9.3%.

What is the Database Administrator salary range in San Diego, CA?

In San Diego, CA, Database Administrators earn between $78,540 (25th percentile) and $163,200 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,000 per year.

How many Database Administrator jobs are there in San Diego, CA?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 19,200 Database Administrator positions in the San Diego, CA metropolitan area.

What do Database Administrators earn in San Diego, CA?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Database Administrators in San Diego, CA earn a median annual wage of $102,000. The middle 50% earn between $78,540 and $130,560. The top 10% earn more than $163,200. There are approximately 19,200 Database Administrators employed in the San Diego, CA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 4%.

Is San Diego, CA a good place for a Database Administrator?

San Diego, CA has a cost of living index of 152 (US average = 100), making it 52% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Database Administrator in San Diego, CA earning $102,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $67,105 relative to the US median. California has a state income tax rate of approximately 9.3%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for San Diego, CA?

San Diego, CA's cost of living index is 152, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $102,000 in San Diego, CAhas the same purchasing power as $67,105 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 San Diego, CA with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

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.