Database administrations are the groundskeepers of data—and can make close to six-figure salaries

The old saying, time is money, may be getting a run for its money. If you ask someone in tech, the saying should now be data is money.

Because of data’s growing role in the business world, within decision-making in particular, those who can properly manage, organize, and analyze data are highly-sought after—which makes sense considering data-related occupations are one of the fastest growing in the entire country. Education institutions are still trying to keep up—with master’s in data science, for example, becoming a growing program option at many top schools.

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Along with data scientists and data analysts, database administrators are a job path on the rise—partially because they are a critical part of the team in charge of ensuring data infrastructure is working properly.

Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor notes that database administrator and architect roles are expected to grow at a rate of 8% over the next decade.

Upon quick search of database administrator job postings, you will find hundreds, if not thousands, of opportunities. Some of the notable companies hiring database administrators include Amazon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, Comcast, Leidos, and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Several universities, including Auburn, Duke, and Georgia State are also looking for database administrators, as are many local, state, and federal agencies.

But an important question remains: How does the role stack up in terms of salary? Here’s what you need to know.

What is a database administrator?

A database administrator, sometimes known as a DBA, is in charge of maintaining, securing, and operating databases, according to Oracle. Because of data’s significance in business, DBAs must have a strong balance between technical and business skills—both hard and soft.

The top skills of a database administration include data management, consumer services, data analysis, data entry and SQL, according to Andrew McCaskill, a career expert at LinkedIn. He adds that industries like IT services and consulting, healthcare, and software development are hiring the most DBAs.

How much do database administrators make?

The median annual salary for database administrators is about $100k, based on estimates from Dice, Glassdoor, and the U.S. Labor Department. Total pay is dependent on a variety of factors, including one’s education, experience, and location. Additionally, those with security clearances may also see higher salaries due to the sensitivity level of the data they may get access to.

5 high-paying database administrator jobs

Company	Role	Location	Background requirements	Salary range
Booz Allen Hamilton	Database administrator	Georgia; Washington; Nevada	Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years in IT, 2+ years in SQL (security clearance required)	$60,400–$137,000
City of New York	Database administrator	New York	Bachelor’s and 2+ years of software experience or relevant combination of education and experience	$115,854–$130,701
Leidos	Junior database administrator	Virginia	Degree and/or multiple years of experience in computer science, information systems, engineering, or other related field	$65,000–$117,500
Oracle	OPS database administrator	Maryland	Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information systems, or business administration and 6+ of experience and technical certification	$94,200–$223,500
Stanford University School of Medicine	Database administrator	California	Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of relevant experience	$118,000–$141,000

5 high-paying database administrator jobs
Booz Allen Hamilton
Database administrator
Georgia; Washington; Nevada
Bachelor’s degree and 3+ years in IT, 2+ years in SQL (security clearance required)
$60,400–$137,000
City of New York
Database administrator
New York
Bachelor’s and 2+ years of software experience or relevant combination of education and experience
$115,854–$130,701
Leidos
Junior database administrator
Virginia
Degree and/or multiple years of experience in computer science, information systems, engineering, or other related field
$65,000–$117,500
Oracle
OPS database administrator
Maryland
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information systems, or business administration and 6+ of experience and technical certification
$94,200–$223,500
Stanford University School of Medicine
Database administrator
California
Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of relevant experience
$118,000–$141,000

How cost of living affects database administrator salary

As you consider the pay earned by database engineers, keep in mind that the cost of living can differ dramatically from state to state. In states like New York and California, things are simply more expensive than places like Iowa or Oklahoma, and thus, salaries may differ to compensate.

Database administrator salaries by state

Based on numbers from ZipRecruiter, database administrators make the most in New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Washington while they make the least in Florida, West Virginia, and Georgia.

Rank	State	Avg. database administrator salary (as of July 2024)	Cost of living
1	New Jersey	$110,458	113.7
2	Wisconsin	$108,080	97.0
3	Washington	$106,686	115.1
4	Massachusetts	$106,524	144.3
5	Alaska	$106,476	125.1
6	Oregon	$105,818	114.1
7	North Dakota	$105,574	92.8
8	New Mexico	$103,915	93.6
9	Hawaii	$103,496	186.2
10	Minnesota	$102,883	94.8
11	Colorado	$101,561	101.8
12	New York	$101,015	123.1
13	Nevada	$100,675	102.7
14	Ohio	$100,444	94.0
15	South Dakota	$99,778	93.4
16	Vermont	$98,402	114.7
17	Rhode Island	$98,014	113.4
18	Iowa	$97,369	90.1
19	Connecticut	$96,776	113.2
20	Delaware	$96,059	100.9
21	Tennessee	$95,902	90.3
22	Mississippi	$95,275	88.3
23	Utah	$95,271	102.9
24	Virginia	$94,908	101.3
25	Illinois	$93,833	93.3
26	Maryland	$93,089	116.2
27	Pennsylvania	$92,546	95.6
28	California	$92,446	145.0
29	Nebraska	$91,273	93.4
30	Maine	$90,493	111.3
31	Missouri	$90,257	88.5
32	New Hampshire	$89,889	113.6
33	Louisiana	$89,824	97.6
34	Kansas	$89,673	87.3
35	South Carolina	$89,395	97.6
36	Wyoming	$88,660	95.1
37	Oklahoma	$88,391	86.4
38	Idaho	$88,283	101.1
39	Indiana	$87,632	90.3
40	Texas	$87,551	92.4
41	North Carolina	$87,539	98.5
42	Arizona	$85,820	110.5
43	Montana	$84,527	94.6
44	Kentucky	$84,421	92.6
45	Michigan	$84,130	91.8
46	Alabama	$83,472	88.1
47	Arkansas	$80,069	88.5
48	Georgia	$77,761	91.3
49	West Virginia	$71,475	83.8
50	Florida	$68,819	103.1

Database administrator salaries by state
1
New Jersey
$110,458
113.7
2
Wisconsin
$108,080
97.0
3
Washington
$106,686
115.1
4
Massachusetts
$106,524
144.3
5
Alaska
$106,476
125.1
6
Oregon
$105,818
114.1
7
North Dakota
$105,574
92.8
8
New Mexico
$103,915
93.6
9
Hawaii
$103,496
186.2
10
Minnesota
$102,883
94.8
11
Colorado
$101,561
101.8
12
New York
$101,015
123.1
13
Nevada
$100,675
102.7
14
Ohio
$100,444
94.0
15
South Dakota
$99,778
93.4
16
Vermont
$98,402
114.7
17
Rhode Island
$98,014
113.4
18
Iowa
$97,369
90.1
19
Connecticut
$96,776
113.2
20
Delaware
$96,059
100.9
21
Tennessee
$95,902
90.3
22
Mississippi
$95,275
88.3
23
Utah
$95,271
102.9
24
Virginia
$94,908
101.3
25
Illinois
$93,833
93.3
26
Maryland
$93,089
116.2
27
Pennsylvania
$92,546
95.6
28
California
$92,446
145.0
29
Nebraska
$91,273
93.4
30
Maine
$90,493
111.3
31
Missouri
$90,257
88.5
32
New Hampshire
$89,889
113.6
33
Louisiana
$89,824
97.6
34
Kansas
$89,673
87.3
35
South Carolina
$89,395
97.6
36
Wyoming
$88,660
95.1
37
Oklahoma
$88,391
86.4
38
Idaho
$88,283
101.1
39
Indiana
$87,632
90.3
40
Texas
$87,551
92.4
41
North Carolina
$87,539
98.5
42
Arizona
$85,820
110.5
43
Montana
$84,527
94.6
44
Kentucky
$84,421
92.6
45
Michigan
$84,130
91.8
46
Alabama
$83,472
88.1
47
Arkansas
$80,069
88.5
48
Georgia
$77,761
91.3
49
West Virginia
$71,475
83.8
50
Florida
$68,819
103.1

Job title variations

Some of the roles closely related to DBAs, in part according to Oracle, include:

System administrators
Database architects
Database analysts
Data engineers
Data modelers
Cloud database administrators

While job postings may slightly differ between companies and titles, the path to a data administration-type role is very similar: studying computer and/or data science, gaining real-world experience through an internship or other opportunity, and proving you not only are dedicated to the role but also that you are willing to learn.

How can you become a database administrator

Because of the somewhat more simple job responsibilities, becoming a database administrator can be a somewhat easier position to get started in. In fact, a degree is not absolutely required for some database administration positions. DBAs can also be a stepping stone to more advanced—and higher paying data-related titles—such as a data scientist or data analyst.

Seek a degree

Most DBA jobs require candidates to at least have a bachelor’s degree—sometimes a master’s—as well as have a set amount of relevant professional experience. Individuals may consider studying computer science, data science, information systems, or other related fields.

Complete a certification program

For those without a degree, individuals will have to prove their skills through additional experiences. Completing Oracle’s set of database training and certification is one industry-recognized step. Otherwise, enrolling in a bootcamp or certificate program focused in data science or data security can also be a way to get started.

Stay ahead of the game through upskilling

The skills you learn today may not be entirely relevant just a few years from now. What this means is that if you want to be a successful database administrator, lifelong learning needs to be your prerogative. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the game when it comes to data; while it does make it easier for data to be collected, cleaned, and analyzed, it also enables bad actors easier ways to steal or expose data.

The takeaway

If maintaining important data excites you, then considering becoming a database administrator is not a shabby idea. The career is certainly an enticing one because the skills needed to land the role are somewhat less complex than other data-related fields—and the salary remains very competitive.

While the exact educational path toward a DBA career is up for you to decide, there certainly are many options, including degrees, certifications, and professional training programs. As long as you have the drive, becoming a data expert can be in your grasp in just a few years—or even months.

Frequently asked questions

Is database administrator a hard job?

Compared to other tech jobs, a database administrator may not be as complex. If you are an expert at SQL, are excited by data, and eager to learn, you certainly are on the right direction toward a career.

Is DBA a good career option?

Yes, becoming a DBA can be a great career option due to the continued growth of the role along with average salaries near or above six-figures.

Is a DBA job stressful?

A DBA job can be stressful due to its importance within a company’s entire structure. Having a lackluster database—one that is unorganized and/or vulnerable—will certainly cause great headaches for everyone, and you will be pointed toward making immediate changes.

Does a database administrator need coding?

Yes, a database administrator needs to know how to code. While there is a long list of languages you may want to be familiar with, generally speaking, DBAs should be experts in SQL and Python.

Check out all of Fortune’s rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.