Computer Programmers vs Database Administrators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $37,310 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 37.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $209,990 for Database Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
$52,190$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Database Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $81,630 | $-29,440 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $107,900 | $-36,040 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $135,980 | $-37,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $169,480 | $-40,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $209,990 | $-47,900 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $142,620 | $-38,980 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
Best Cities for Database Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $188,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $170,700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $166,210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $162,310 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $155,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Programmers or Database Administrators?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $37,310 (37.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
What is the salary range for Database Administrators?
Database Administrators salaries range from $81,630 (10th percentile) to $209,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $135,980.
How many Computer Programmers and Database Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 64,770 Database Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Database Administrators to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 while Database Administrators earns $135,980. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS