A database administrator uses database software programs to manage and maintain the security of database systems so that others in the workspace can access and use them easily. Database administrators also ensure that the database and servers are protected from malware and unauthorized entry. So, you might be wondering, how much do database administrators make?
If you want to become a database administrator, it’s a good idea to first learn how much you can make in the field. Researching how much database administrators make per hour or how much freelance database administrators make will help you make an educated decision about starting a career. In this article, we cover database administrator salaries and which locations and skills can help you earn more.
Database Administrator Salaries: An Overview of How Much Database Administrators Make
- Average Salary: $98,860
- 10th Percentile Salary: $54,070
- 90th Percentile Salary: $155,660
According to salary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average database administrator earns $98,860 per year. The statistics also show that the lowest 10 percent of database administrators earn $54,070 or less, and the top 10 percent of highest-earning administrators make $155,660 or more.
How Much Do Database Administrators Make Per Hour?
Database administrators make an average of $41.75 per hour, according to data collected by ZipRecruiter. However, the website also notes that the hourly average wage of a database administrator can range anywhere from $13.11 to $66.11. So, it’s clear that many factors can affect the wage a database administrator receives.
Do Database Administrators Make Good Money?
Yes, database administrators make good money. According to information from the BLS, the average income across all occupations in the US is $56,310. The average database administrator makes $40,000 more than that. So, it’s fair to say that database administration is a well-paid job that should bring you plenty of disposable income and good quality of life.
How Much Do Database Administrators Make? A Salary Breakdown by Location, Experience, and Skills
No matter what tech job you choose, various factors will influence how much you make. For database admins, some important factors include location, skills, and experience. Below, you will find a comprehensive breakdown of how much you can expect to make based on these variables if you choose to pursue a career in database administration.
Database Administrator Salaries by Location
In the table below, we’ll take a look at the states where database administrators typically earn the most. According to ZipRecruiter, Massachusetts is the best state to head to if you want to bring in a large salary as a database administrator.
| Location | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 75th Percentile Salary |
| Massachusetts | $70,622 | $89,988 | $112,995 |
| Washington, DC | $70,094 | $88,800 | $112,150 |
| New Jersey | $62,055 | $88,202 | $99,289 |
| Connecticut | $65,429 | $86,955 | $104,686 |
| Tennessee | $61,105 | $84,347 | $97,768 |
Database Administrator Salaries by Level of Experience
Using information from PayScale, the table below shows how much you can make as an entry-level database administrator versus the income you can expect later on in your career once you’ve gained decades of experience.
| Experience Level | 10th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 90th Percentile Salary |
| Entry-Level | $38,000 | $55,976 | $74,000 |
| Early-Career | $43,000 | $63,862 | $88,000 |
| Mid-Career | $52,000 | $79,358 | $107,000 |
| Experienced | $55,000 | $90,192 | $124,000 |
| Late-Career | $61,000 | $99,289 | $135,000 |
Database Administrator Salaries by Skill
How much database administrators earn is influenced by a wide variety of skills. If you want to earn more, you can learn SQL, practice data analysis, or study data mining. The breakdown in the table below using data from PayScale shows how some critical data-related skills can affect your pay.
| Skill | 10th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 90th Percentile Salary |
| Microsoft SQL Server Skills | $51,000 | $76,520 | $108,000 |
| SQL Skills | $50,000 | $75,234 | $106,000 |
| Database Administration | $47,000 | $73,252 | $110,000 |
| Data Management and Reporting | $42,000 | $64,727 | $102,000 |
| Data Analysis | $45,000 | $64,277 | $100,000 |
How Much Do Freelance Database Administrators Make?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for freelance database administrators with SQL knowledge is $99,454. On average, that breaks down to $47.81 per hour. The bottom 25 percent of freelance SQL database administrators earn below $75,000. The top 25 percent earn at least $117,500 annually.
Database Administrator Job Outlook
Data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the outlook for database administrators indicates there will be an eight percent growth in the number of database admin jobs between 2020 and 2030. That means there will be 13,900 new database admin job opportunities available each year through 2030.
The popularity of database administration jobs is influenced by various factors. Among the biggest is that companies need to improve the products and services they offer to their customers. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that other types of data science jobs are also likely to witness steady growth in the next few years. These data science jobs have lucrative salaries as well.
Is Database Administration a Good Career?
Yes, database administration is definitely a good career. US News & World Report ranked database administrators as the seventh-best technology job. Looking solely at the financial compensation, data administration could easily be deemed a good career.
However, there are other factors to consider, such as the hard and soft skills that a database administrator needs. Among the most important are organizational, analytical, and communication skills since the profession involves a lot of data handling and sorting. If organization and numbers come naturally to you, following a career path in this industry is probably the right choice.
How Much Do Database Administrators Make? FAQ
Working as a database administrator can be difficult. Database administrators need to have knowledge of many data-related concepts, such as systems design, database structure, and database servers. However, for many database admins, the parts that make the job difficult are also what makes it satisfying. They enjoy problem-solving and applying analytical knowledge.
To become a database administrator, you will most likely need to spend four years getting a college degree in database administration or any related field. If formal higher education doesn’t interest you, you should consider attending a database management bootcamp or taking database administration courses to pick up skills in a shorter time frame.
Database administrators do not necessarily need to learn how to code. However, it is advisable to learn one or two basic programming languages, such as JavaScript and SQL, because they will come in handy when you need to organize data. Having programming skills may also contribute to a higher salary.
The IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2, the Microsoft SQL Server database certifications, and the Oracle Certified Professional are among the best database administrator certifications out there.
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