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Database Development Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Database Development Engineer I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Development Engineer I in the United States is $76,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Database Development Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,774
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,290 to $84,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,914

Key Factors That Influence Database Development Engineer I Salaries

A Database Development Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Database Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Database Development Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Database Development Engineer I (0-2 years): $76,459
  • Database Engineer, Intermediate (2-4 years): $103,316
  • Database Engineer, Senior (4-7 years): $125,765
  • Database Engineer, Specialist (7+ years): $144,418
  • Database Engineer, Lead/Expert (7-10 years): $168,515
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Database Development Engineer I0-2 years$76,459
Database Engineer, Intermediate2-4 years$103,316
Database Engineer, Senior4-7 years$125,765
Database Engineer, Specialist7+ years$144,418
Database Engineer, Lead/Expert7-10 years$168,515

How Do Database Development Engineer I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Database Development Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $84,690.
  • California: $84,390.
  • Massachusetts: $83,290.

Top Paying Cities for Database Development Engineer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $96,490
  • San Francisco: $95,390
  • Oakland: $93,390

What Skills Can Increase a Database Development Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.55% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 3.76% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Data Modeling (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): Data modeling in software engineering is the process of creating a data model for an information system by applying certain formal techniques.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.55%
Computer Science 3.76%
Data Modeling 2.12%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Database Development Engineer I's salary.

  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Data Warehousing: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Partnering $80,315
5%
Integrity $79,550
4%
Data Warehousing $79,550
4%

Database Development Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Database Development Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $85,481. While startup companies pay approximate $72,308.

Database Development Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $72,308
Growth Stage 51~500 $76,473
Established 501~5000 $82,543
Enterprise 5000+ $85,481

Database Development Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Database Development Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 113% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Database Development Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Development Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Database Development Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$107,086$51.040%
Software & Networking$103,262$50.035%
Financial Services$99,437$48.030%
Insurance$95,612$46.025%
Biotechnology$91,788$44.020%

Database Development Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Database Development Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$67,290
Average $76,490/year
$84,490
$5,608
Average $6,374/month
$7,041
$1,294
Average $1,471/week
$1,625
$32
Average $37/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $84,490 $7,041 $1,625 $41
Average $76,490 $6,374 $1,471 $37
25th Percentile $67,290 $5,608 $1,294 $32

Database Development Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Database Development Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Database Engineer, Intermediate role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $103,400 - a projected growth of 35% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Database Development Engineer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Database Development Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Database Development Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Database Development Engineer I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Database Development Engineer I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Database Development Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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