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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
How much should a Database Administrator expect to earn? If you're going by the national average of $108,198, you're missing the plot. The real answer depends on where you work, how long you've been at it, and what the local market can bear. Across 288 tracked cities, we found a $75,739 range from entry to senior-level pay — and a geographic spread that's equally dramatic.
Database Administrator falls within the Technology sector, specifically in Technology. The typical education path involves Bachelor's in CS/IT. The career outlook? Steady. Work style is hybrid/remote — which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.
$117,447 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Database Administrator in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $201,396 — $117,447 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($83,949). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.
The salary distribution for Database Administrators reveals a $75,739 spread from entry to senior. At $108,198, the median sits $27,831 above the national median household income of $80,367. That's a strong baseline — and it only includes individual earnings, not household. The P10 floor of $77,903 represents early-career or part-time positions, while the $153,642 ceiling captures experienced professionals in premium markets.
The pay gap between the top and bottom markets is dramatic: $190,636 (average of the top 3 cities) versus $86,013 (average of the bottom 3). That $104,623 delta is real money — $8,719/month before taxes. But the highest-paying cities tend to be the most expensive. The cost-adjusted comparison below tells the more important story.
A Database Administrator in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $201,396 — $117,447 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($83,949). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Database Administrator is $77,903, while senior-level (P90) earners average $153,642. That $75,739 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
Hawaii pays the highest average median salary for Database Administrators at $137,445 across 1 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Hampshire at $112,879) is $24,566.
At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators pull in an average of $153,642. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $77,903 | $108,198 | $153,642 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £50,750 | £70,486 | £100,090 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$65,784 | CA$91,367 | CA$129,742 |
| Australia | 13 | A$76,251 | A$105,904 | A$150,384 |
| Sweden | 24 | 480,307 kr | 667,093 kr | 947,273 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1 | $98,960 | $137,445 | $195,172 |
| California | 61 | $88,912 | $123,489 | $175,355 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $85,713 | $119,046 | $169,045 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $83,465 | $115,924 | $164,612 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $81,273 | $112,879 | $160,288 |
| Washington | 8 | $79,647 | $110,621 | $157,081 |
| Oregon | 5 | $78,759 | $109,387 | $155,330 |
| Colorado | 11 | $78,343 | $108,809 | $154,509 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $78,301 | $108,751 | $154,426 |
| New York | 5 | $77,925 | $108,230 | $153,686 |
| Illinois | 5 | $77,750 | $107,986 | $153,341 |
| Nevada | 5 | $76,858 | $106,748 | $151,582 |
| Virginia | 7 | $76,815 | $106,687 | $151,496 |
| Idaho | 3 | $76,815 | $106,687 | $151,495 |
| Utah | 4 | $76,175 | $105,799 | $150,234 |
| Florida | 22 | $76,104 | $105,700 | $150,093 |
| Arizona | 12 | $76,029 | $105,596 | $149,946 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $75,938 | $105,469 | $149,766 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $75,061 | $104,251 | $148,037 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $74,549 | $103,540 | $147,027 |
| Michigan | 6 | $74,464 | $103,422 | $146,859 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $74,427 | $103,371 | $146,787 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $74,271 | $103,154 | $146,479 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $73,087 | $101,510 | $144,144 |
| Alaska | 1 | $73,087 | $101,510 | $144,144 |
| Iowa | 2 | $73,087 | $101,510 | $144,144 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $73,087 | $101,510 | $144,144 |
| Montana | 1 | $73,087 | $101,510 | $144,144 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $72,088 | $100,123 | $142,174 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $71,991 | $99,988 | $141,982 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $71,983 | $99,976 | $141,966 |
| Texas | 40 | $71,885 | $99,840 | $141,773 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $71,644 | $99,505 | $141,297 |
| Georgia | 6 | $71,443 | $99,226 | $140,901 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $71,351 | $99,099 | $140,721 |
| Indiana | 3 | $71,163 | $98,837 | $140,348 |
| Alabama | 5 | $70,368 | $97,734 | $138,782 |
| Ohio | 6 | $70,212 | $97,517 | $138,475 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $70,164 | $97,450 | $138,379 |
| Maryland | 1 | $70,091 | $97,348 | $138,234 |
| Missouri | 4 | $70,036 | $97,272 | $138,126 |
| Kansas | 4 | $69,871 | $97,044 | $137,802 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $69,579 | $96,638 | $137,226 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $69,214 | $96,130 | $136,505 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $64,755 | $89,938 | $127,712 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $61,759 | $85,776 | $121,802 |
At the state level, Hawaii leads with an average Database Administrator median of $137,445 across 1 cities, followed by California ($123,489) and Massachusetts ($119,046). Contrast that with the lowest-paying markets: The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Arkansas, Nebraska — offer medians between $85,776 and $96,130. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Santa Clara ($201,396 nominal, 198 cost index) delivers $101,715 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oceanside California | $148,712 | 146 | $101,858 | $88,823 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $201,396 | 198 | $101,715 | $117,070 |
| 3 | Boston Massachusetts | $153,585 | 151 | $101,712 | $98,110 |
| 4 | Huntington Beach California | $171,856 | 169 | $101,690 | $101,564 |
| 5 | Fremont California | $179,977 | 177 | $101,682 | $106,035 |
| 6 | Irvine California | $187,083 | 184 | $101,676 | $109,947 |
| 7 | Bellevue Washington | $171,755 | 169 | $101,630 | $124,352 |
| 8 | Thousand Oaks California | $163,330 | 161 | $101,447 | $96,871 |
| 9 | Los Angeles California | $149,118 | 147 | $101,441 | $89,047 |
| 10 | Anaheim California | $148,103 | 146 | $101,440 | $88,488 |
The $75,739 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Database Administrator career. Senior-level earners make 2.0× what entry-level professionals do — a solid progression that justifies the upfront investment. In the Technology sector, steady, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling.
The weighted national median salary for Database Administrators is $108,198 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $77,903, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $153,642.
The highest-paying city for Database Administrators is Santa Clara, California with a median salary of $201,396. The top 3 cities are Santa Clara ($201,396), Irvine ($187,083), San Francisco ($183,429). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Database Administrator salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $83,949. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Database Administrators (10th percentile) average $77,903 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $145,005. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Database Administrators average $153,642 nationally — $75,739 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Database Administrators can earn up to $285,982.
The top-paying states for Database Administrators are Hawaii ($137,445 median), California ($123,489 median), Massachusetts ($119,046 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Database Administrator involves Bachelor's in CS/IT. The field is in the Technology sector (Technology), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically hybrid/remote.
With a national median of $108,198 and representation across 288 metro areas, Database Administrator offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $75,739 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.