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Database Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Engineer IV in the United States is $144,416 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $158,534
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $129,693 to $151,806
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $116,288
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Database Engineer IV Salaries

A Database Engineer IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Database Engineer IV'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 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
  • Database Engineer VI (10-12 years): $188,930
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Database Engineer VI10-12 years$188,930
View as Graph

How Do Database Engineer IVs 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $159,897.
  • California: $159,291.
  • Massachusetts: $157,168.

Top Paying Cities for Database Engineer IV

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: $182,152
  • San Francisco: $180,158
  • Oakland: $176,361

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 15.84% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Visualization (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): Data visualization is viewed by many disciplines as a modern equivalent of visual communication. It involves the creation and study of the visual representation of data. To communicate information clearly and efficiently, data visualization uses statistical graphics, plots, information graphics and other tools. Numerical data may be encoded using dots, lines, or bars, to visually communicate a quantitative message. Effective visualization helps users analyze and reason about data and evidence. It makes complex data more accessible, understandable and usable. Users may have particular analytical tasks, such as making comparisons or understanding causality, and the design principle of the graphic (i.e., showing comparisons or showing causality) follows the task. Tables are generally used where users will look up a specific measurement, while charts of various types are used to show patterns or relationships in the data for one or more variables.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 15.84%
Data Visualization 2.09%
Economics 1.51%
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 IV's salary.

  • Supply Chain: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Supply Chain $151,637
5%
Innovation $150,193
4%
Decision Making $150,193
4%
Get Latest Data

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

Database Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $161,665. While startup companies pay approximate $136,765.

Database Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $136,765
Growth Stage 51~500 $144,645
Established 501~5000 $156,117
Enterprise 5000+ $161,665

Database Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Database Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Database Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Database Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$216,624$104.050%

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

Understanding how a Database Engineer IV'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
$129,693
Average $144,416/year
$151,806
$10,808
Average $12,035/month
$12,651
$2,494
Average $2,777/week
$2,919
$62
Average $69/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,806 $12,651 $2,919 $73
Average $144,416 $12,035 $2,777 $69
25th Percentile $129,693 $10,808 $2,494 $62

Database Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Database Engineer IV

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Advancement

For a Database Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Database Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $168,501 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Database Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Database Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Database Engineer IV

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

A Database Engineer IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Database Engineer IV is $182,152.

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

The highest pay for Database Engineer IV is $158,534.

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

The lowest pay for Database Engineer IV is $116,288.

4. What are the responsibilities of Database Engineer IV?

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Database Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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