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Database Engineer III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Engineer III in the United States is $125,764 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $148,118
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $116,253 to $137,465
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,594
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Database Engineer III Salaries

A Database Engineer 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Database Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Database Engineer 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 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 IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $139,246.
  • California: $138,718.
  • Massachusetts: $136,869.

Top Paying Cities for Database Engineer III

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: $158,626
  • San Francisco: $156,889
  • Oakland: $153,583

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.44% 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 3.75% 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.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 2.1% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.44%
Computer Science 3.75%
Agile 2.1%
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 Engineer III's salary.

  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Machine Learning $128,279
2%
Innovation $128,279
2%
Products and Services $128,279
2%
Get Latest Data

Database Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Database Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,786. While startup companies pay approximate $119,101.

Database Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $119,101
Growth Stage 51~500 $125,964
Established 501~5000 $135,953
Enterprise 5000+ $140,786

Database Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Database Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Database Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Database Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$176,070$85.040%
Construction$169,781$82.035%
MFG Nondurable$163,493$79.030%
Aerospace & Defense$157,205$76.025%
Media$150,917$73.020%

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

Understanding how a Database Engineer 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 August 01, 2026
$116,253
Average $125,764/year
$137,465
$9,688
Average $10,480/month
$11,455
$2,236
Average $2,419/week
$2,644
$56
Average $60/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $137,465 $11,455 $2,644 $66
Average $125,764 $10,480 $2,419 $60
25th Percentile $116,253 $9,688 $2,236 $56

Database Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Database Engineer III

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Advancement

For a Database Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Database Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $144,416 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Database Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Database Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Database Engineer III

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

A Database Engineer 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 Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Database Engineer III is $158,626.

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

The highest pay for Database Engineer III is $148,118.

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

The lowest pay for Database Engineer III is $107,594.

4. What are the responsibilities of Database Engineer III?

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 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 Engineer III?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Database Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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