Database Administrators vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $59,690 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 78.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$47,640$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $47,640 | +$33,990 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $58,980 | +$48,920 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $76,290 | +$59,690 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $97,190 | +$72,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $115,280 | +$94,710 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $79,320 | +$63,300 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Database Administrators or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $59,690 (78.2% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Database Administrators and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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