How much does a DBA Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a DBA Manager in the United States is $153,550 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

However, a DBA Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $176,686
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,630 to $165,660
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $128,867

Key Factors That Influence DBA Manager Salaries

A DBA Manager'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects DBA Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a DBA Manager'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 Administrator - Entry (0-2 years): $72,130
  • DBA - Experienced (2-4 years): $104,472
  • Database Administration - Senior (4-7 years): $116,980
  • DBA- Specialist (7+ years): $136,904
  • DBA Manager (7+ years): $153,545
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Database Administrator - Entry0-2 years$72,130
DBA - Experienced2-4 years$104,472
Database Administration - Senior4-7 years$116,980
DBA- Specialist7+ years$136,904
DBA Manager7+ years$153,545

Top Paying Cities for DBA Managers

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: $193,670
  • San Francisco: $191,550
  • Oakland: $187,510

What Skills Can Increase a DBA Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.31% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • SQL Server (Mentioned in 1.92% Job Postings): Applying SQL server to store and retrieves information or data.
  • AWS (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.31%
SQL Server 1.92%
AWS 1.59%

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 DBA Manager's salary.

  • Business Transformation: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Value Realization: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Storytelling: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Business Transformation $167,370
9%
Value Realization $165,834
8%
Storytelling $162,763
6%

DBA Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

DBA Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $171,599. While startup companies pay approximate $145,155.

DBA Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $145,155
Growth Stage 51~500 $153,516
Established 501~5000 $165,700
Enterprise 5000+ $171,599

DBA Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For DBA Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Retail & Wholesale and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, DBA Manager positions in Software & Networking or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view DBA Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a DBA Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$230,325$111.050%
MFG Nondurable$214,970$103.040%
Media$199,615$96.030%
Financial Services$191,938$92.025%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$184,260$89.020%

How Education impacts a DBA Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many DBA Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a DBA Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $148,328 and $156,447).

DBA Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for DBA Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 8.1%
Associates 9.8%
Bachelors 49.2%
Masters 30.5%
Doctorate 2.0%

DBA Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a DBA Manager'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
$140,630
Average $153,550/year
$165,660
$11,719
Average $12,796/month
$13,805
$2,704
Average $2,953/week
$3,186
$68
Average $74/hour
$80
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $165,660 $13,805 $3,186 $80
Average $153,550 $12,796 $2,953 $74
25th Percentile $140,630 $11,719 $2,704 $68

DBA Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a DBA Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

DBA Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Enterprise Data Management Senior Manager $172,700 12%
Enterprise Resource Planning Administration Senior Manager $172,300 12%

Most common benefits for DBA Manager

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

Common company salaries for DBA Manager

Here are companies hiring for DBA Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about DBA Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for DBA Manager?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for DBA Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. How much do database managers make in the US?

Database Managers in the US earn between $140,470 and $170,480 annually, with a median salary of approximately $154,800. These figures reflect the competitive nature of the role and the expertise required to manage database systems effectively.

3. Is DBA an entry level job?

The DBA role is not typically considered entry-level, as it requires specialized skills and experience in database management. Salaries for DBA Managers range from $140,470 to $170,480, with a mid-salary of $154,800, reflecting the expertise needed in this position. This role involves significant responsibilities and cross-functional collaboration within the organization.

4. Is a DBA a professional degree?

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a terminal degree in business administration, classified as either a research doctorate or a professional doctorate based on the granting institution. DBA Managers can expect salaries ranging from $140,470 to $170,480, with a median salary of $154,800, reflecting the advanced expertise and responsibilities associated with this role.

5. What type of manager pays the most?

The highest-paid manager roles include DBA Manager, with salaries ranging from $140,470 to $170,480, and a mid-salary of $154,800. Other high-paying positions are store manager, farm manager, and marketing manager, among others. These roles often command competitive salaries due to their responsibilities and impact on business success.

6. What is the salary for DBA in USA?

The salary for DBA Managers in the USA ranges from $140,470 to $170,480, with a mid-salary of $154,800. This variation depends on factors such as industry, location, and experience level.

7. How much a manager gets paid in USA?

In the USA, a DBA Manager typically earns an annual salary ranging from $140,470 to $170,480. The average salary for this role is approximately $154,800, translating to a monthly pay of about $12,900. This reflects the competitive compensation for managerial positions in the database administration field.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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