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Database Programmer Salary in the United States

How much does a Database Programmer make in the United States?

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Database Programmer in the United States is $80,538 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,196
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,871 to $87,164
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,800
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs
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Key Factors That Influence Database Programmer Salaries

A Database Programmer'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Database Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Database Programmer'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,051
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,518
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $129,053
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $149,536
  • Expert (over 8 years): $144,183
Levels Salary
Database ... Level Database Programmer$80,051
ERP Confi... Level Database Programmer$103,518
ERP Confi... Level Database Programmer$129,053
ERP Confi... Level Database Programmer$149,536
ERP Confi... Level Database Programmer$144,183
View as Graph

How Do Database Programmer 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 Programmers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $89,171.
  • California: $88,833.
  • Massachusetts: $87,649.

Top Paying Cities for Database Programmers

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: $101,582
  • San Francisco: $100,470
  • Oakland: $98,353

What Skills Can Increase a Database Programmer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.21% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Oracle (Mentioned in 3.41% Job Postings): Applying Oracle to manage data and information applications effectively.
  • Debugging (Mentioned in 1.8% Job Postings): Debugging is the process of finding and resolving defects or problems within a computer program that prevent correct operation of computer software or a system. Debugging tactics can involve interactive debugging, control flow analysis, unit testing, integration testing, log file analysis, monitoring at the application or system level, memory dumps, and profiling.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.21%
Oracle 3.41%
Debugging 1.8%
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 Programmer's salary.

  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Enterprise Applications: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Improvement $93,424
16%
Innovation $91,008
13%
Enterprise Applications $89,397
11%
Get Latest Data

Database Programmer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Database Programmer 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 Construction and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Database Programmer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Database Programmer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Database Programmer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$96,645$46.020%
Healthcare$92,618$45.015%
Aerospace & Defense$90,202$43.012%
Media$88,592$43.010%
Energy & Utilities$86,981$42.08%

How Education impacts a Database Programmer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Database Programmers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Database Programmer with a Associate's Degree is between $66,963 and $72,165).

Database Programmer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Database Programmer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.3%
High School 75.0%
Associates 8.3%
Bachelors 75.0%
Masters 16.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Database Programmer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Database Programmer'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 November 01, 2026
$73,871
Average $80,538/year
$87,164
$6,156
Average $6,711/month
$7,264
$1,421
Average $1,549/week
$1,676
$36
Average $39/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,164 $7,264 $1,676 $42
Average $80,538 $6,711 $1,549 $39
25th Percentile $73,871 $6,156 $1,421 $36

Most common benefits for Database Programmer

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

Common company salaries for Database Programmer

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

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FAQ about Database Programmer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Database Programmer?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Database Programmer 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.

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