How Much Does A SQL DBA Make?

The role of a SQL Database Administrator may be your future career if you’re looking to change jobs and transition into something new. This is a position that offers an extremely high salary with many benefits, how much can you expect to earn?

A SQL DBA makes around $86,000 annually. Entry level positions start around $65,000 per year and on the high end it be as much as $113,000 annually. This is due to the growing demand and importance of this role.

Your location or experience can determine how much you’ll make, but even starting roles in this career make exponentially more money than others. Read on to get all the details and see what cash you can bring home with this career.

What Salary Do SQL DBAs Earn?

The reported salary of a SQL DBA is on average $86,000 per year. While this number is a good baseline it’s important to note that many factors can vary how much you will actually get. Entry level positions will be lower with an average of 65,000 to 72,000 per year while areas in booming cities have their pay range around 100,000 per year. That type of salary can be expected as you gain experience in this field.

Your salary can be determined by a few factors:

• Location: Location determines how much you’ll make because some areas have a higher cost of living than others. This means that in big cities you’ll likely get a higher salary but you’ll be paying more on needs like rent and food, while in smaller cities the salary might be lower but so is the cost of everything around you
• Experience: How much you know and how long you’ve been in the industry can play a big part in how much you make and the position you’re qualified for. Most entry level positions still earn higher than experienced openings in other industries.
• Bonuses Sometimes what’s reported on job openings can be even lower than the amount of money you’ll take at the end of the day. This is due to several incentives like a starting salary bonus, stocks, or optional overtime in some companies. This means that in addition to your base salary you could be making extra money on top of it.

What Does A SQL DBA Do?

SQLis a programming language that stands for "Structured Query Language" that deals primarily in data and databases. A SQL Database Administrator, or DBA, is someone who manages these databases, from installing software to safeguarding data to enhancing performance.

What sets a database administrator apart from other rules is that they exist in almost every industry. No matter where you go, whether it’s in finance or medicine or software, data is being used and someone needs to be there too to make sure it is being properly utilized.

There are plenty of careers available when you learn SQL. This is a language that can set you on the path to getting employed in enticing positions in the future. As technology advances and more firms demand databases, the opportunity to find a high-paying career expands, with database administrators being very sought after.

Why This Position Pays So Much

The SQL database administrator role is sought after due to an extremely high salary, but what makes this position demand such a high price? The answer is simple supply and demand. The demand for qualified persons to work these positions far exceeds the amount of people currently qualified and looking for jobs.

A large percent of these jobs are built from skills in other positions in the tech industry. Software engineers or programmers will have a great starting line to learn SQL, however these positions are already very lucrative and high-paying which means that a software engineer may not be as likely to change their career to an SQL developer.

However someone new to the industry could pick up SQL as a specialization and be ahead of the curve because their skills are going to be exactly what employers are looking for. Regardless, whether you’re a seasoned veteran in the tech industry or if you’re someone from a totally unrelated field, becoming a database administrator can provide a lot of potential.

Is This Position in Demand?

As more businesses incorporate technology such as complicated databases into their operations, they will need SQL experts to handle it all. The demand for these workers vastly outnumbers the quantity of qualified job seekers with the skills to do the job

Because these positions are developing at an exponential rate, you may expect significant growth in openings in the next few years. Because of the complexity of servers and the data kept within them, SQL is becoming more of a prerequisite than a bonus.

What Determines Your Salary?

SQL developers and solutions are becoming increasingly important in the day-to-day operations of companies; In fact, you'll be hard pressed to find a company these days that doesn't use data of some kind. As this profession is in such great demand, the compensation rises to match. As the need for higher-level roles develops and you gain SQL expertise, you'll likely progress fast through the ranks.

Your salary will be determined by a number of factors including the location and size of the business. As work from home jobs become the norm, you could find yourself earning even more by living in an area with a lower cost of living, while working with a business who offers higher salaries than your local area.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, A Database Administrator's job includes creating databases to organize and manage data. It pays an annual salary of $73,603 on average. The lower end pays roughly $47k, while the upper end might pay over $100k.

This is because there aren't enough workers occupying these positions, despite how valuable they are. If you wish to change careers, a SQL Database Administrator position can provide you with a good pay and many opportunities.