25 of the Highest Paying Database Administrator Jobs in 2026

The best Database Administrator jobs can pay up to $189,500 per year.

High Paying Database Administrator Jobs

• Director Data Management

  Salary range: $110,000 - $189,500

  As a director of data management, your responsibilities include all operational and strategic aspects of data management, especially regarding product development and decision-making. You monitor a team and handle data management to develop, implement, and complete projects while ensuring a high level of data quality based on regulatory standards. You also manage resources and the budget, lead the development of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) roadmaps, and develop dashboards and metrics to show the status of data governance and quality. You are also expected to oversee the collection of information into the business data warehouse, build analytic solutions using various big data techniques and tools, and document these solutions and the technical data architecture. Other duties include providing guidance using best industry practices, working with many client databases, and interpreting flag codes.

• Data Architect Manager

  Salary range: $163,000 - $181,500

  The majority of Data Architect Manager salaries across the United States currently range between $163,000 (25th percentile) and $181,500 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Data Architect Manager job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Director Enterprise Data Architecture

  Salary range: $180,000 - $180,000

  The majority of Director Enterprise Data Architecture salaries across the United States currently range between $180,000 (25th percentile) and $180,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Director Enterprise Data Architecture job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Data Center Manager

  Salary range: $167,000 - $167,000

  A data center manager oversees computer systems and information for companies and organizations. As a data center manager, your responsibilities include backing up data, troubleshooting technical problems, communicating with staff and upper management, and supervising data center technicians. Qualifications vary for a career in data center management, but most employers require prior information technology experience and an associate degree or higher. Computer skills, customer service abilities, and experience with supervisory duties are also helpful in information management jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment for data center managers to increase in the coming decade.

• Lead Data Architect

  Salary range: $126,000 - $163,500

  The majority of Lead Data Architect salaries across the United States currently range between $126,000 (25th percentile) and $163,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Lead Data Architect job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Data Operations Director

  Salary range: $94,000 - $163,500

  The majority of Data Operations Director salaries across the United States currently range between $94,000 (25th percentile) and $163,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Data Operations Director job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Big Data Admin

  Salary range: $100,000 - $151,500

  The majority of Big Data Admin salaries across the United States currently range between $100,000 (25th percentile) and $151,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Big Data Admin job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Database Designer

  Salary range: $120,500 - $148,500

  A database designer develops computer programs that store data and automate specific tasks. When beginning a project, database designers define the scope and establish the database parameters. Plans may include indexes and constraints that allow users or other designers to access the content easily and implement proper database administration protocols. Designers often work as part of large development teams that include software designers, information technology technicians, and other data scientists.

• Application DBA

  Salary range: $100,000 - $146,500

  An application DBA is a database administrator who uses specialized software to store and organize data. As an application DBA, your job duties include installing and maintaining applications, improving system performance, and troubleshooting issues. The career typically requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field and relevant technical experience. You may also pursue professional certification in database systems and applications to demonstrate your expertise. Additional qualifications include excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of multiple computer programming languages.

• Director Data Architecture

  Salary range: $141,000 - $141,000

  The majority of Director Data Architecture salaries across the United States currently range between $141,000 (25th percentile) and $141,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Director Data Architecture job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Lead Database Administrator

  Salary range: $46,000 - $140,000

  The majority of Lead Database Administrator salaries across the United States currently range between $46,000 (25th percentile) and $140,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Lead Database Administrator job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Data Project Manager

  Salary range: $103,500 - $140,000

  The majority of Data Project Manager salaries across the United States currently range between $103,500 (25th percentile) and $140,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Data Project Manager job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Data Governance Analyst

  Salary range: $84,500 - $139,500

  A data governance analyst helps an organization maintain best practices regarding information security, integrity, and access. In this role, your duties are to come up with the appropriate protocols for keeping data, develop tools and methods for a business to oversee its data, and provide management with recommendations about how to best govern the use of and access to the information. Qualifications for this career include a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems, job experience with shared data and database languages such as SQL, skills such as analytical problem-solving, and a strong commitment to the ethical use of data.

• Senior Database Administrator

  Salary range: $99,500 - $137,000

  A senior database administrator (DBA) is responsible for maintaining the integrity and quality of a database system. As a senior DBA, your job duties include ensuring that the server security is up-to-date, performing routine back-ups, and designing and implementing tests of the system to address issues with accessing data. Qualifications needed for a career as a senior database administrator include a bachelor’s degree in information systems or computer science and several years of experience working with databases. Other qualities include strong analytical problem-solving skills and a careful eye for detail.

• Data Manager

  Salary range: $66,000 - $125,500

  A data manager is responsible for creating and managing databases that meet the specific needs of a company or organization. As a data manager, your job duties include assessing customer database requirements, modifying the structure of existing databases, and handling the backup and recovery of older systems. You should have experience working with many database system varieties and large volumes of customer records. You can find data manager positions in a wide range of industries.

• Data Center Project Manager

  Salary range: $121,000 - $121,000

  A data center project manager works to manage computer systems and equipment in a data center facility. In this career, your duties and responsibilities include planning and scheduling equipment maintenance, allocating resources to handle new projects, creating an operations budget, and ensuring proper and efficient billing of clients. You also work with staff on scheduling, project assignments, and professional development. You may interact with clients to troubleshoot and to build a business relationship that could lead to future business opportunities.

• MS SQL DBA

  Salary range: $105,000 - $110,000

  The majority of MS SQL DBA salaries across the United States currently range between $105,000 (25th percentile) and $110,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the MS SQL DBA job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Data Management Analyst

  Salary range: $66,000 - $108,500

  As a data management analyst, you perform a variety of duties related to computer systems security and database management. You monitor databases and other digital storage systems for security breaches, technical issues, and provide routine maintenance on the systems. Depending on your level, you may also work with other developers to design new databases and security tests. A career as a data management analyst requires you have some formal qualifications and education, typically at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology. You should have a thorough familiarity with database languages such as SQL, and analytical problem-solving skills.

• Data Management Specialist

  Salary range: $50,000 - $98,500

  Data management specialists collect and analyze data to produce quantitative reports for their company or organization. You find data management specialists in a variety of industries, including education, finance, and non-profit. As a data management specialist, your responsibilities include ensuring the quality of collected data and producing data analysis reports, sometimes as often as monthly, depending on your company’s needs. Organizations use the reports to improve production processes, increase efficiency, or address problems that may be revealed in the data. You also develop and implement ways to track and monitor changes in data trends related to your organization.

• Data Capture Specialist

  Salary range: $34,000 - $89,500

  The majority of Data Capture Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $89,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Data Capture Specialist job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Data Reviewer

  Salary range: $30,000 - $75,500

  A data reviewer helps an organization review and interpret data for accuracy and interpretation. Data reviewers are necessary for many fields, including software development, quality assurance, medical and health care professions, and accounting, to name a few. Your responsibilities and duties are to look through collected data that has been entered into a spreadsheet or other database. You check it for any errors and manage issues you find. Some data reviewer positions, such as in medical research, include an analytical component; you help the research team to glean insight from the collected data.

• Junior Database Administrator

  Salary range: $50,000 - $75,000

  A junior database administrator works with a senior database administrator or DBA consultant to design database infrastructure and monitor and troubleshoot database systems for a company or enterprise. In this career, your duties may include working to improve the performance and efficiency of data storage and access systems. Your responsibilities also involve server maintenance and the development of database security systems. The company usually expects your administration team to use their skills to meet their needs for data storage and access. You may also perform an analysis of backup procedures and make an upgrade recommendation based on your findings.

• Database Coordinator

  Salary range: $43,500 - $64,000

  A database coordinator oversees and maintains database systems across a range of industries. In this job, your duties are to perform data entry, organize information, create tests to optimize databases, and analyze data usage by other members of the business or organization. Qualifications to become a database coordinator include a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology and experience with building and maintaining different types of databases. Having math and reasoning skills as well as programming skills in languages such as SQL is crucial for this career. Some employers may require candidates to have a master’s degree.

• Data Center Technician

  Salary range: $42,500 - $60,000

  Data centers have become vital to many businesses today, with cloud services, big data processes, and their continued upkeep all necessary to keep organizations running. Data center technicians are responsible for the setup and maintenance of systems within a data center. They are charged with keeping the network and data stored in the data center safe and available to all approved users.

• Data Technician

  Salary range: $35,000 - $56,500

  A data technician collects, organizes, and processes information for a company, which may include both electronic and print documents. As a data technician, you manage incoming and outbound emails, postal mail, and other paperwork that needs to be filed away. Additional responsibilities may include inputting data to the storage system, writing and proofreading documents, analyzing data for specific reports, and suggesting ways to improve data storage.