Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Database Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Database Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of August 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $229,855
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $183,940 to $215,336
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $169,874
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Database Engineering Director Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Database Engineering Director Salaries?

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:

  • Database Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $109,558
  • Database Engineering Manager (12+ years): $139,864
  • Database Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $182,171
  • Database Engineering Director (12+ years): $199,389
  • VP of Database Engineering (12+ years): $220,661
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Database Engineering Supervisor12+ years$109,558
Database Engineering Manager12+ years$139,864
Database Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$182,171
Database Engineering Director12+ years$199,389
VP of Database Engineering12+ years$220,661
View as Graph

How Do Database Engineering Directors 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 Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $220,764.
  • California: $219,926.
  • Massachusetts: $216,995.

Top Paying Cities for Database Engineering Director

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: $251,489
  • San Francisco: $248,736
  • Oakland: $243,494

Database Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Database Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $223,204. While startup companies pay approximate $188,826.

Database Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $188,826
Growth Stage 51~500 $199,706
Established 501~5000 $215,544
Enterprise 5000+ $223,204

Database Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Database Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Database Engineering Director positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Database Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$239,267$115.020%

Database Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$183,940
Average $199,389/year
$215,336
$15,328
Average $16,616/month
$17,945
$3,537
Average $3,834/week
$4,141
$88
Average $96/hour
$104
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $215,336 $17,945 $4,141 $104
Average $199,389 $16,616 $3,834 $96
25th Percentile $183,940 $15,328 $3,537 $88

Database Engineering Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Database Engineering Director

Next Role

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 $220,661 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Database Engineering Director

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

Common company salaries for Database Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for Database Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Database Engineering Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Database Engineering Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Database Engineering Director

1. Where can a Database Engineering Director earn the most?

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.

2. What is the highest pay for Database Engineering Director?

The highest pay for Database Engineering Director is $229,855.

3. What is the lowest pay for Database Engineering Director?

The lowest pay for Database Engineering Director is $169,874.

4. What are the responsibilities of Database Engineering Director?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Database Engineering Director?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Database Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job