As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Engineer I in the United States is $76,467 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Database Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Database Engineer I | 0-2 years | $76,467 |
| Database Engineer II | 2-4 years | $103,326 |
| Database Engineer III | 4-7 years | $125,764 |
| Database Engineer IV | 7+ years | $144,413 |
| Database Engineer V | 7-10 years | $168,487 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 3.55% |
| Computer Science | 3.76% |
| Data Modeling | 2.12% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Partnering
|
$80,290 |
5%
|
|
Integrity
|
$79,526 |
4%
|
|
Data Warehousing
|
$79,526 |
4%
|
|
Agile
|
$78,761 |
3%
|
|
AWS
|
$78,761 |
3%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$78,761 |
3%
|
Database Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $85,528. While startup companies pay approximate $72,331.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $72,331 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $76,501 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $82,593 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $85,528 |
For Database 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 Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $107,054 | $51.0 | 40% |
| Software & Networking | $103,230 | $50.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $99,407 | $48.0 | 30% |
| Insurance | $95,584 | $46.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $91,760 | $44.0 | 20% |
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 July 01, 2026For a Database Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Database Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $103,326 - a projected growth of 35% over your current level.
Salaries for a Database Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $83,542 in 2023 to around $81,365 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Database Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $83,542 |
| 2024 | $83,302 |
| 2025 | $81,365 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Database Engineer I'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 Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Database Engineer I is $96,448.
The highest pay for Database Engineer I is $91,709.
The lowest pay for Database Engineer I is $58,868.
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.
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Database Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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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