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Database Engineer II Salary in the United States

How much does a Database Engineer II make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Engineer II in the United States is $103,321 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $112,793
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,388 to $108,279
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $88,165
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Database Engineer II Salaries

A Database Engineer II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Database Engineer II'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): $76,463
  • Database Engineer II (2-4 years): $103,321
  • Database Engineer III (4-7 years): $125,764
  • Database Engineer IV (7+ years): $144,416
  • Database Engineer V (7-10 years): $168,501
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Database Engineer I0-2 years$76,463
Database Engineer II2-4 years$103,321
Database Engineer III4-7 years$125,764
Database Engineer IV7+ years$144,416
Database Engineer V7-10 years$168,501
View as Graph

How Do Database Engineer IIs 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 Engineer IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $114,397.
  • California: $113,963.
  • Massachusetts: $112,444.

Top Paying Cities for Database Engineer II

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: $130,319
  • San Francisco: $128,892
  • Oakland: $126,176

What Skills Can Increase a Database Engineer II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.61% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Warehouse (Mentioned in 3.84% 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.
  • Data Modeling (Mentioned in 2.03% Job Postings): Data modeling in software engineering is the process of creating a data model for an information system by applying certain formal techniques.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.61%
Data Warehouse 3.84%
Data Modeling 2.03%
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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 II's salary.

  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Data Science: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning $109,520
6%
Insight $108,487
5%
Data Science $108,487
5%
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Database Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Database Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,662. While startup companies pay approximate $97,847.

Database Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $97,847
Growth Stage 51~500 $103,485
Established 501~5000 $111,692
Enterprise 5000+ $115,662

Database Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Database Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Database Engineer positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Database Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$165,314$79.060%
Business Services$160,148$77.055%
Construction$154,982$75.050%
Energy & Utilities$149,815$72.045%
Healthcare$144,649$70.040%

Database Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Database Engineer II'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 August 01, 2026
$95,388
Average $103,321/year
$108,279
$7,949
Average $8,610/month
$9,023
$1,834
Average $1,987/week
$2,082
$46
Average $50/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $108,279 $9,023 $2,082 $52
Average $103,321 $8,610 $1,987 $50
25th Percentile $95,388 $7,949 $1,834 $46

Database Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

Database Engineer II

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Advancement

For a Database Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Database Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $125,764 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Database Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Database Engineer II

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

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FAQ about Database Engineer II

1. Where can a Database Engineer II earn the most?

A Database Engineer II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Database Engineer II is $130,319.

2. What is the highest pay for Database Engineer II?

The highest pay for Database Engineer II is $112,793.

3. What is the lowest pay for Database Engineer II?

The lowest pay for Database Engineer II is $88,165.

4. What are the responsibilities of Database Engineer II?

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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Database Engineer II?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Database Engineer II roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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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