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Database Administrator III Salary in the United States

How much does a Database Administrator III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Administrator III in the United States is $116,980 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,452
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,008 to $126,649
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,929
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Database Administrator III Salaries

A Database Administrator III'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 Database Administrator III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Database Administrator III'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 I (0-2 years): $72,130
  • Database Administrator II (2-4 years): $104,472
  • Database Administrator III (4-7 years): $116,980
  • Database Administrator IV (7+ years): $136,904
  • Database Administration Manager (7+ years): $153,545
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Database Administrator I0-2 years$72,130
Database Administrator II2-4 years$104,472
Database Administrator III4-7 years$116,980
Database Administrator IV7+ years$136,904
Database Administration Manager7+ years$153,545
View as Graph

How Do Database Administrator III 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 Administrator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $129,520.
  • California: $129,029.
  • Massachusetts: $127,309.

Top Paying Cities for Database Administrator IIIs

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: $147,547
  • San Francisco: $145,931
  • Oakland: $142,856

What Skills Can Increase a Database Administrator III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.57% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AWS (Mentioned in 3.03% 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.
  • Data Warehouse (Mentioned in 1.65% Job Postings): A data warehouse is a central repository of information that can be analyzed to make more informed decisions. It creates a trove of historical data that can be retrieved and analyzed to provide useful insight into the organization's operations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.57%
AWS 3.03%
Data Warehouse 1.65%
See More Skills

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 Administrator III's salary.

  • NoSQL: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Team Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
NoSQL $120,489
3%
Team Operations $120,489
3%
Team Development $119,320
2%
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Database Administrator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Database Administrator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $130,730. While startup companies pay approximate $110,584.

Database Administrator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $110,584
Growth Stage 51~500 $116,954
Established 501~5000 $126,237
Enterprise 5000+ $130,730

Database Administrator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Database Administrator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Database Administrator positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Administrator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Database Administrator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$134,527$65.015%
MFG Durable$131,018$63.012%
Aerospace & Defense$128,678$62.010%
Construction$128,678$62.010%
Internet$126,338$61.08%

How Education impacts a Database Administrator III's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Database Administrator III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,977 and $128,537.

Database Administrator III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Database Administrator III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 50.0%
High School 50.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 50.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Database Administrator III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Database Administrator III'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
$107,008
Average $116,980/year
$126,649
$8,917
Average $9,748/month
$10,554
$2,058
Average $2,250/week
$2,436
$51
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $126,649 $10,554 $2,436 $61
Average $116,980 $9,748 $2,250 $56
25th Percentile $107,008 $8,917 $2,058 $51

Database Administrator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Database Administrator III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Database Administrator III, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
CRM Administrator IV $118,319 1%
Master Data Management Analyst IV $129,623 11%
Database Administrator IV $136,904 17%
ERP System Administration Manager $133,633 14%

Most common benefits for Database Administrator III

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

Common company salaries for Database Administrator III

Here are companies hiring for Database Administrator III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Database Administrator III

1. Where can a Database Administrator III earn the most?

A Database Administrator III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Database Administrator III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Database Administrator III is $147,547.

2. What is the highest pay for Database Administrator III?

The highest pay for Database Administrator III is $135,452.

3. What is the lowest pay for Database Administrator III?

The lowest pay for Database Administrator III is $97,929.

4. What are the responsibilities of Database Administrator III?

Designs, manages and maintains the company database of medium to high complexity. Evaluates and optimizes database configuration and access. Resolves database performance and capacity issues. Performs database recovery and back-up. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Database Administrator III?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Database Administrator III roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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.)

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

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