SQL DBA Salary in the United States

How much does a SQL DBA make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a SQL DBA in the United States is $103,647 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $118,485
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,703 to $111,414
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,650
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View as table View as graph 25% $93,703 10% $84,650 90% $118,485 75% $111,414 $103,647 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

SQL DBA Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,414 $9,285 $2,143 $54
Average $103,647 $8,637 $1,993 $50
25th Percentile $93,703 $7,809 $1,802 $45
Check out SQL DBA Job Openings in the United States
SQL Server DBA

Optimal Solutions Inc - MONTGOMERY, AL

SQL DBA

TEKsystems c/o Allegis Group - WASHINGTON, DC

Sr Systems Administrator SQL Server DBA

Caelum Research Corporation - ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD

SQL DBA

Dunhill Professional Search - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

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Key Factors That Influence SQL DBA Salaries

A SQL DBA'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 SQL DBA Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a SQL DBA'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): $98,466
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $99,235
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $103,647
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $106,845
  • Expert (over 8 years): $107,416
Levels Salary
Entry Level SQL DBA$98,466
Intermediate Level SQL DBA$99,235
Senior Level SQL DBA$103,647
Specialist Level SQL DBA$106,845
Expert Level SQL DBA$107,416
$98,466 0 yr
$99,235 < 2 yrs
$103,647 2-4 yrs
$106,845 5-8 yrs
$107,416 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for SQL DBAs

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: $130,730
  • San Francisco: $129,445
  • Oakland: $126,574

What Skills Can Increase a SQL DBA's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.76% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • MySQL (Mentioned in 2.61% Job Postings): MySQL is a relational database management system developed by Oracle that is based on structured query language. A database is a structured collection of data.
  • Data Warehouse (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): A data warehouse is a central repository of information that can be analyzed to make more informed decisions. It creates a trove of historical data that can be retrieved and analyzed to provide useful insight into the organization's operations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.76%
MySQL 2.61%
Data Warehouse 1.49%
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 SQL DBA's salary.
  • NoSQL: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
NoSQL
 $106,756
3%
Agile
 $106,756
3%
AWS
 $106,756
3%
Data Warehouse
 $105,720
2%
Oracle
 $105,720
2%
Insight
 $105,720
2%
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How Education impacts a SQL DBA's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many SQL DBAs 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 SQL DBA with a Associate's Degree is between $96,116 and $102,583).

SQL DBA Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for SQL DBA
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 10.8%
Associates 9.1%
Bachelors 53.0%
Masters 25.6%
Doctorate 0.6%
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SQL DBA Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a SQL DBA'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$93,703
Average $103,647/year
$111,414
$7,809
Average $8,637/month
$9,285
$1,802
Average $1,993/week
$2,143
$45
Average $50/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,414 $9,285 $2,143 $54
Average $103,647 $8,637 $1,993 $50
25th Percentile $93,703 $7,809 $1,802 $45

Salaries of jobs related to SQL DBA

Salary Trends for SQL DBA

Salaries for a SQL DBA can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $89,982 in 2023 to around $89,305 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of SQL DBA salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of SQL DBA Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$89,982
2024
$90,013
2025
$89,305
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $89,982
2024 $90,013
2025 $89,305
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for SQL DBA

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401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for SQL DBA

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

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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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