Computer Systems Analysts 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 $32,190 more per year than Computer Systems Analysts professionals — that's 31.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Systems Analysts earns $166,030 compared to $209,990 for Database Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Systems Analysts$63,160 – $166,030
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
$63,160$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Systems Analysts | Database Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,160 | $81,630 | $-18,470 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,900 | $107,900 | $-27,000 |
| Median (50th) | $103,790 | $135,980 | $-32,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,360 | $169,480 | $-37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,030 | $209,990 | $-43,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $111,960 | $142,620 | $-30,660 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Systems Analysts
497,800
employed nationwide
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Systems Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $160,800 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $132,580 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $127,150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $126,520 |
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 Systems Analysts or Database Administrators?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,190 (31.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Systems Analysts?
Computer Systems Analysts salaries range from $63,160 (10th percentile) to $166,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,790.
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 Systems Analysts and Database Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 497,800 Computer Systems Analysts positions and 64,770 Database Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Database Administrators to Computer Systems Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Systems Analysts has a median salary of $103,790 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