Database Administrator Salary in USA 2025
SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and cloud database platforms
Average DBA Salary
How Much Do Database Administrators Earn in 2025?
Database administrators (DBAs) are responsible for storing, organizing, and securing an organization's data. They manage database performance, implement backup and recovery procedures, ensure data integrity, and optimize queries for applications.
2025 DBA salaries show solid earning potential: average $85,000–$115,000, with entry-level starting at $65,000–$80,000 and senior/lead DBAs earning $120,000–$160,000. BLS reports median annual wage of $101,510 for database administrators and architects.
Platform specialization significantly impacts pay: Oracle DBAs command highest traditional RDBMS salaries ($95,000–$130,000), while cloud database specialists (AWS RDS, Azure SQL, Snowflake) earn $100,000–$140,000. For context, see the average salary in the US.
Database Administrator Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| BLS Median | $101,510 |
| National Average Range | $85,000–$115,000 |
| Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | $65,000–$80,000 |
| Mid-Level (3–7 yrs) | $85,000–$110,000 |
| Senior (7+ yrs) | $110,000–$145,000 |
| Lead/Principal | $130,000–$170,000 |
| Hourly Rate | $40–$75/hour |
Use our salary calculator to convert rates.
DBA Salary by Database Platform
Database platform expertise creates significant salary differences:
| Platform | Salary Range | Market Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud DBA (AWS/Azure/GCP) | $100K–$140K | Very High (growing) |
| Oracle DBA | $95K–$130K | High (enterprise) |
| Snowflake/Data Warehouse | $110K–$150K | Very High |
| PostgreSQL DBA | $90K–$125K | High (growing) |
| SQL Server DBA | $80K–$110K | High (stable) |
| MySQL DBA | $75K–$105K | Moderate |
| MongoDB/NoSQL DBA | $95K–$130K | High (growing) |
Cloud Database Administrator (Highest Growth)
Salary: $100,000–$140,000
Platforms: AWS RDS, Aurora, Azure SQL, Google Cloud SQL, Cloud Spanner.
Why high: Cloud migration driving demand. Requires traditional DBA skills plus cloud architecture, automation, and IaC knowledge.
Oracle DBA (Highest Traditional RDBMS)
Salary: $95,000–$130,000
Why high: Complex enterprise systems, specialized knowledge, Oracle certification premium, legacy system maintenance.
Certifications: Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) adds $10K–$20K.
SQL Server DBA (Most Common)
Salary: $80,000–$110,000
Why: Microsoft ecosystem dominance, large install base, abundant jobs. Entry point for many DBAs.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate.
Snowflake/Data Warehouse Specialist (Highest Pay)
Salary: $110,000–$150,000
Why high: Modern data warehouse platform expertise in high demand. Combines DBA skills with data engineering.
DBA Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Junior DBA (0–2 yrs) | $65K–$80K | Monitoring, backups, basic admin |
| DBA (3–5 yrs) | $80K–$100K | Performance tuning, HA/DR |
| Senior DBA (5–10 yrs) | $100K–$130K | Architecture, complex systems |
| Lead/Principal (10+ yrs) | $125K–$160K | Strategy, team leadership |
| Database Architect | $140K–$180K | Enterprise architecture |
Junior DBA (0–2 Years)
Salary: $65,000–$80,000
Focus: Database monitoring, backup/restore, user management, basic troubleshooting.
Senior DBA (5–10 Years)
Salary: $100,000–$130,000
Focus: Performance optimization, high availability design, disaster recovery, capacity planning, complex migrations.
Database Architect (10+ Years)
Salary: $140,000–$180,000
Focus: Enterprise data architecture, technology selection, standards, cross-functional leadership.
DBA Salary by Location
| Location | Salary Range | Premium vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $110K–$150K | +25–35% |
| New York, NY | $100K–$140K | +20–30% |
| Seattle, WA | $100K–$135K | +15–25% |
| Washington, DC | $95K–$130K | +15–20% |
| Austin, TX | $85K–$115K | +5–10% |
| National Average | $85K–$115K | Baseline |
Remote Work
DBA roles are increasingly remote-friendly. Many companies offer remote positions at $80K–$120K. Cloud DBA roles especially suited for remote work. See our remote job salary guide.
DBA Salary by Industry
| Industry | Salary Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | $100K–$145K | Highest pay, modern stacks |
| Finance/Banking | $95K–$135K | Security, compliance, Oracle |
| Healthcare | $85K–$120K | HIPAA, data integrity |
| Government | $80K–$115K | Clearances, benefits, Oracle |
| Consulting | $85K–$125K | Multi-platform exposure |
| Retail | $75K–$105K | E-commerce growth |
How to Increase Your DBA Salary
Add Cloud Database Skills
Cloud DBAs earn $100K–$140K versus traditional $80K–$110K (+20–30%).
Specialize in High-Value Platforms
Oracle DBAs earn $95K–$130K, Snowflake specialists $110K–$150K versus SQL Server $80K–$110K.
Earn Platform Certifications
Oracle OCP adds $10K–$20K. AWS Database Specialty, Azure Database Administrator certifications valued.
Target Finance/Tech Industries
Tech pays $100K–$145K versus retail $75K–$105K (+30–40%).
Develop Data Engineering Skills
Data Engineers earn $110K–$150K. DBAs who add ETL, data pipeline skills command premiums.
Progress to Architecture
Database Architects earn $140K–$180K versus Senior DBA $100K–$130K (+35–40%).
See our salary negotiation guide for strategies.
Career Path and Related Roles
| Career Stage | Position | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Junior DBA | $65K–$80K |
| Mid | Database Administrator | $85K–$110K |
| Senior | Senior DBA | $110K–$140K |
| Lead | Lead/Principal DBA | $130K–$165K |
| Architecture | Database Architect | $145K–$185K |
Related Roles
Data Scientist: $120,000–$170,000
Data Engineer: $110,000–$150,000
Cloud Architect: $150,000–$190,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average DBA salary in 2025?
Database administrators earn $85,000–$115,000 on average. BLS reports median of $101,510. Entry-level earns $65,000–$80,000, mid-level $85,000–$110,000, senior $110,000–$145,000, and architects $140,000–$180,000.
Do Oracle DBAs make more than SQL Server DBAs?
Yes. Oracle DBAs earn $95,000–$130,000 versus SQL Server DBAs at $80,000–$110,000—a 15–20% premium. Oracle's complexity, enterprise focus, and certification requirements command higher pay. Cloud DBAs earn even more ($100K–$140K).
Can DBAs make $100K?
Yes, commonly. Mid-to-senior DBAs earn $90K–$130K. Oracle, cloud, and Snowflake specialists often exceed $100K. Senior DBAs at tech/finance companies earn $110K–$145K. Database architects reach $140K–$180K. See jobs that pay $100K.
Is DBA a dying career?
No, but evolving. Traditional on-premises DBA roles declining. Cloud DBA, database reliability engineering (DBRE), and data platform engineering roles growing rapidly. DBAs who adapt to cloud, automation, and DevOps practices have strong prospects. Data volumes continue increasing, driving database management demand.
What certifications are best for DBAs?
Platform-specific: Oracle OCP, Microsoft Azure Database Administrator, AWS Database Specialty. Cloud certifications increasingly valuable as workloads migrate. Snowflake certifications for data warehouse focus. Multiple certifications across platforms increase marketability.