SQL Developer Salary in the United States

How much does an SQL Developer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an SQL Developer in the United States is $148,203 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

However, an SQL Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $163,032
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $133,996 to $155,965
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $121,061
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View as table View as graph 25% $133,996 10% $121,061 90% $163,032 75% $155,965 $148,203 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

SQL Developer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $155,965 $12,997 $2,999 $75
Average $148,203 $12,350 $2,850 $71
25th Percentile $133,996 $11,166 $2,577 $64
Check out SQL Developer Job Openings in the United States
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SQL Developer / Administrator with Security Clearance

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Key Factors That Influence SQL Developer Salaries

An SQL Developer'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 SQL Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an SQL Developer'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): $139,808
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $140,926
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $142,044
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $146,068
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,714
Levels Salary
Entry Level SQL Developer$139,808
Intermediate Level SQL Developer$140,926
Senior Level SQL Developer$142,044
Specialist Level SQL Developer$146,068
Expert Level SQL Developer$150,714
$139,808 0 yr
$140,926 < 2 yrs
$142,044 2-4 yrs
$146,068 5-8 yrs
$150,714 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for SQL Developers

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: $186,928
  • San Francisco: $185,091
  • Oakland: $180,986

What Skills Can Increase an SQL Developer'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 15.84%
Data Visualization 2.09%
Economics 1.51%
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 an SQL Developer'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
$155,613
5%
Innovation
$154,131
4%
Decision Making
$154,131
4%
Initiative
$154,131
4%
Leadership
$154,131
4%
Data Quality
$152,649
3%
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SQL Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an SQL Developer'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for SQL Developer

Salaries for an SQL Developer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $128,194 in 2023 to around $126,405 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of SQL Developer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of SQL Developer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$128,194
2024
$128,181
2025
$126,405
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $128,194
2024 $128,181
2025 $126,405
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for SQL Developer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for SQL Developer

Here are companies hiring for SQL Developer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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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