Database Administrators vs Engineers, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $18,230 more per year than Engineers, All Other professionals — that's 15.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $183,510 for Engineers, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
$62,840$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Engineers, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $62,840 | +$18,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $85,750 | +$22,150 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $117,750 | +$18,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $152,670 | +$16,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $183,510 | +$26,480 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $121,720 | +$20,900 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Engineers, All Other
150,750
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Database Administrators or Engineers, All Other?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,230 (15.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
How many Database Administrators and Engineers, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators positions and 150,750 Engineers, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Engineers, All Other to Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 while Engineers, All Other earns $117,750. 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