Database Administrators vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $101,400 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 293.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $25,600 | +$56,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $29,140 | +$78,760 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $34,580 | +$101,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $37,850 | +$131,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $47,930 | +$162,060 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $37,150 | +$105,470 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Database Administrators or Retail Salespersons?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $101,400 (293.2% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Database Administrators and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
Career Resources
Career Change Resources
Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.
Professional Certifications
Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.
Online Degree Programs
Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.
Resume Writing Services
Get professional help crafting a standout resume.
Explore More
Was this data helpful?
Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS