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Database Engineer, Senior Salary in the United States

How much does a Database Engineer, Senior make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Engineer, Senior in the United States is $125,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $148,152
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $116,300 to $137,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,651

Key Factors That Influence Database Engineer, Senior Salaries

A Database Engineer, Senior'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 Engineer, Senior Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Database Engineer, Senior'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 Engineer, Entry (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 Engineer, Entry0-2 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

Top Paying Cities for Database Engineer, Seniors

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: $158,700
  • San Francisco: $156,900
  • Oakland: $153,600

What Skills Can Increase a Database Engineer, Senior's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.44% 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 3.75% 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.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.44%
Computer Science 3.75%
Agile 2.1%

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 Engineer, Senior's salary.

  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning $128,316
2%
Innovation $128,316
2%
Products and Services $128,316
2%

Database Engineer, Senior Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Database Engineer, Senior salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,587. While startup companies pay approximate $118,922.

Database Engineer, Senior Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $118,922
Growth Stage 51~500 $125,772
Established 501~5000 $135,754
Enterprise 5000+ $140,587

Database Engineer, Senior Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Database Engineer, Senior roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Database Engineer, Senior positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Engineer, Senior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Database Engineer, Senior

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$176,120$85.040%
Construction$169,830$82.035%
MFG Nondurable$163,540$79.030%
Aerospace & Defense$157,250$76.025%
Media$150,960$73.020%

Database Engineer, Senior Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Database Engineer, Senior'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
$116,300
Average $125,800/year
$137,500
$9,692
Average $10,483/month
$11,458
$2,237
Average $2,419/week
$2,644
$56
Average $60/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $137,500 $11,458 $2,644 $66
Average $125,800 $10,483 $2,419 $60
25th Percentile $116,300 $9,692 $2,237 $56

Database Engineer, Senior Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Database Engineer, Senior, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Database Engineer, Specialist role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $144,500 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Database Engineer, Senior

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

Common company salaries for Database Engineer, Senior

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

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FAQ about Database Engineer, Senior

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Database Engineer, Senior?

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

2. Can a data engineer make 200k?

A Database Engineer typically earns between $118,400 and $145,600, with a mid-salary of $132,300. While it's possible for highly skilled professionals to approach or exceed $200,000, this is generally not the standard range for this role. High proficiency in relevant skills can influence salary potential significantly.

3. What is the highest salary for senior engineer?

The highest salary for a Senior Database Engineer is $145,600. In comparison, other engineering roles have varying salary ranges, such as Distinguished Engineer at $197K–$342K and Associate Director of Engineering at $230K–$353K.

4. How much do SQL database engineers make?

As of January 26, 2025, SQL Database Engineers in the United States earn between $118,400 and $145,600 annually, with a median salary of $132,300. This translates to approximately $56.86 to $69.92 per hour, or $2,274 to $2,800 per week, and $9,800 to $11,733 per month, depending on experience and location.

5. Is Data Engineer in demand in USA?

Yes, Data Engineers are in high demand in the USA. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22% growth in employment for computer and information research scientists, including AI specialists, from 2020 to 2030. With competitive salaries ranging from $118,400 to $145,600, this field offers promising career opportunities for skilled professionals.

6. What is the salary of senior engineer in USA?

The salary of a Senior Database Engineer in the USA ranges from $118,400 to $145,600 per year, with a median salary of $132,300. Entry-level positions typically start at $118,400, while experienced professionals can earn up to $145,600 annually.

7. What is a good salary for an engineer in USA?

A good salary for a Database Engineer in the USA ranges from $118,400 to $145,600 annually. The average salary is approximately $132,300. These figures reflect the competitive compensation for this role, highlighting the value of expertise in database management and engineering.

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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