Database Administrator: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Database Administrators earn a national median of $104,620/yr with -0.7% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Computers and Electronics, English Language, Customer and Personal Service.
Median Salary
$104,620
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
-0.7%
Declining
Employed Nationally
73,180
2024 data
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Database Administrator
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Database Administrator candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Database Administrator performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Database Administrator roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow -0.7% for Database Administrator roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's declining compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 73,180
- Projected Growth
- -0.7%
- Typical Education
- Bachelor's degree
Top Employers
Companies actively hiring for Database Administrator roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.
| Company | Median Disclosed Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Snowflake Inc | $129,064 | 13 |
| Ernst & Young LLP | $125,000 | 777 |
| ServiceNow Inc | $97,827 | 54 |
Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Database Administrator do?
- Database Administrators apply expertise in Computers and Electronics, English Language, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening.
- How much does a Database Administrator make?
- The national median salary for a Database Administrator is $104,620 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Database Administrator a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Database Administrator roles is projected to grow -0.7% over the 2024–2034 decade — declining compared to all occupations. There are currently 73,180 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Database Administrator?
- The typical entry-level education for a Database Administrator is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Database Administrators need?
- The most important skills for Database Administrator roles based on verified occupational data: Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning, Speaking, Programming, Writing, Monitoring. Key tools and technologies include: Amazon Redshift, Amazon Simple Storage Service S3, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Airflow, Apache Hadoop.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.