As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Engineering Director in the United States is $199,389 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.
However, a Database Engineering Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Database Engineering Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $215,063 | $17,922 | $4,136 | $103 |
| Average | $199,389 | $16,616 | $3,834 | $96 |
| 25th Percentile | $183,702 | $15,309 | $3,533 | $88 |
Rogue - Columbus, OH
Toole Design Group - Columbus, OH
1872 Consulting - Columbus, OH
Ampacity - Columbus, OH
A Database Engineering Director'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 Engineering Director'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 Engineering Supervisor | 12+ years | $109,645 |
| Database Engineering Manager | 12+ years | $139,892 |
| Database Engineering Senior Manager | 12+ years | $182,149 |
| Database Engineering Director | 12+ years | $199,389 |
| VP of Database Engineering | 12+ years | $220,639 |
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 Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Understanding how a Database Engineering Director'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $215,063 | $17,922 | $4,136 | $103 |
| Average | $199,389 | $16,616 | $3,834 | $96 |
| 25th Percentile | $183,702 | $15,309 | $3,533 | $88 |
For a Database Engineering Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Database Engineering role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $220,639 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Database Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.
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A Database Engineering Director'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 Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Database Engineering Director is $251,489.
The highest pay for Database Engineering Director is $229,333.
The lowest pay for Database Engineering Director is $169,420.
Directs the overall planning, designing, and developing of an organization's databases. Designs and modifies procedures to ensure the performance, scalability, and security of databases. Ensures database performance is efficient in data retrieval and processing. Evaluates existing database design to determine necessary updates. Collaborates with stakeholders to determine future organizational needs. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.
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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