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Hourly Wage for Database Engineer I Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Database Engineer I?

As of February 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Database Engineer I in the United States is $37, which translates to an annual salary of about $76,486.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32 to $41 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $32 10% $28 90% $44 75% $41 $37 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Database Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $84,471 $7,039 $1,624 $41
Average $76,486 $6,374 $1,471 $37
25th Percentile $67,264 $5,605 $1,294 $32
Check out Database Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
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Crimson Phoenix - DAYTON, OH

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Visionist - WASHINGTON, DC

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Key Factors That Influence Database Engineer I Salaries

A Database 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 Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Database 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 Engineer I (0-2 years): $76,486
  • Database Engineer II (2-4 years): $103,350
  • Database Engineer III (4-7 years): $125,761
  • Database Engineer IV (7+ years): $144,401
  • Database Engineer V (7-10 years): $168,417
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Database Engineer I0-2 years$76,486
Database Engineer II2-4 years$103,350
Database Engineer III4-7 years$125,761
Database Engineer IV7+ years$144,401
Database Engineer V7-10 years$168,417
$76,486 Database ...
$103,350 Database ...
$125,761 Database ...
$144,401 Database ...
$168,417 Database ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Database 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: $96,472
  • San Francisco: $95,523
  • Oakland: $93,405

What Skills Can Increase a Database 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.
See More Skills
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 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
$80,310
5%
Integrity
$79,545
4%
Data Warehousing
$79,545
4%
Agile
$78,781
3%
AWS
$78,781
3%
Collaboration
$78,781
3%
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Database Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Database 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 February 01, 2026

Most common benefits for Database Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Database Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Database Engineer I

1. What are the responsibilities of Database Engineer I?

Plans, designs, develops, and manages an organization's databases to ensure efficient data storage, access, and security. Collaborates with users to design, code, test, debug, and deploy databases that meet requirements and organizational needs. Monitors database performance, scalability, and security. Evaluates existing database design to determine necessary updates, performance tuning, and integration requirements. Modifies procedures to optimize database designs. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Database Engineer I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

Computer Science: 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.

3.)

Data Modeling: Data modeling in software engineering is the process of creating a data model for an information system by applying certain formal techniques.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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