Manages production databases, performance tuning, backups, and disaster recovery.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Database Administrator (DBA)s. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $82,300 | $60,300 | $106,600 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $102,300 | $74,900 | $132,500 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $117,700 | $86,200 | $152,300 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $141,200 | $103,400 | $182,700 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $160,000 | $117,200 | $207,100 |
Top 10 states by median Database Administrator (DBA) salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | $164,700 | $125,200 | $214,200 | +40% |
| California | $158,900 | $120,700 | $206,500 | +35% |
| Massachusetts | $153,000 | $116,300 | $198,900 | +30% |
| Washington | $153,000 | $116,300 | $198,900 | +30% |
| New York | $150,600 | $114,500 | $195,800 | +28% |
| New Jersey | $148,300 | $112,700 | $192,700 | +26% |
| Connecticut | $142,400 | $108,200 | $185,100 | +21% |
| Maryland | $141,200 | $107,300 | $183,600 | +20% |
| Colorado | $137,700 | $104,600 | $179,000 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $134,100 | $101,900 | $174,400 | +14% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $100,000 | $76,000 | $130,000 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $98,800 | $75,100 | $128,500 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $98,800 | $75,100 | $128,500 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $98,800 | $75,100 | $128,500 | -16% |
| Alabama | $97,700 | $74,200 | $127,000 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $97,700 | $74,200 | $127,000 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $94,100 | $71,500 | $122,400 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $94,100 | $71,500 | $122,400 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $91,800 | $69,800 | $119,300 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $91,800 | $69,800 | $119,300 | -22% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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