As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Engineer I in the United States is $76,490 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 | $76,490 |
| Database Engineer II | 2-4 years | $103,354 |
| Database Engineer III | 4-7 years | $125,761 |
| Database Engineer IV | 7+ years | $144,398 |
| Database Engineer V | 7-10 years | $168,406 |
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
|
$80,315 |
5%
|
|
Integrity
|
$79,550 |
4%
|
|
Data Warehousing
|
$79,550 |
4%
|
|
Agile
|
$78,785 |
3%
|
|
AWS
|
$78,785 |
3%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$78,785 |
3%
|
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 January 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 $103,354 - a projected growth of 35% over your current level.
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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 $96,477.
The highest pay for Database Engineer I is $91,470.
The lowest pay for Database Engineer I is $58,679.
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.
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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