How much does a database administrator make?
Answer: A typical database administrator in the United States makes $104,620 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 70,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Database administrator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,230 | $104,620 | $163,320 | about 70,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | $135,750 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $129,300 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $125,860 | about 2,000 |
| Maryland | $124,300 | about 2,000 |
| District of Columbia | $118,540 | about 560 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience and certifications for the database software an employer uses; some employers require them. Industry, location, and whether a DBA specializes in system or application databases also matter. Most work full time, so hours can affect total yearly pay.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a database administrator do?
Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases. Excludes “Information Security Analysts” (15-1212) and “Database Architects” (15-1243).
What's a typical day like?
They check screens for slow or broken databases, fix problems, install updates, and decide who can see sensitive records. They test changes, protect data, and help coworkers get the information they need.
How to get this job
In the U.S., people usually study computer science, IT, or a related subject for a bachelor’s degree after high school and learn SQL. Many gain related work experience first, and some employers require certification for their database software, so there is no single starting age.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and figuring things out.
Did you know?
At the U.S. Department of the Interior, database staff plan both “hot” and “cold” backups—two kinds of safety copies to help recover important data.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Computer and Mathematical jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1242.00
- www.onetonline.org/skills/zone/15-1242.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2022/may/oes151242.htm
- www.doi.gov/ocio/customers/database-administration
- www.cisa.gov/careers/work-rolesdatabase-administrator
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY