Database Administrators vs Database Architects: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Database Administrators

Median Salary
$96,236
Average (Mean)
$98,563
Employed Nationwide
76,140
VS

Database Architects

Median Salary
$125,121
Average (Mean)
$127,109
Employed Nationwide
59,640
Database Architects earns $28,885 more (30.0%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $96,236 $125,121
Average (Mean) Salary $98,563 $127,109
Total Employment 76,140 59,640
States with Higher Pay 2 49

Salary by State: Database Administrators vs Database Architects

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Database Administrators pays more in 2 states; Database Architects pays more in 49.

State Database Administrators Database Architects Difference
Alabama $85,070
$114,000
$-28,930
Alaska $90,800
$119,440
$-28,640
Arizona $107,940
$122,620
$-14,680
Arkansas $84,930
$98,280
$-13,350
California $112,170
$162,250
$-50,080
Colorado $116,420
$134,780
$-18,360
Connecticut $114,400
$143,540
$-29,140
Delaware $103,240
$148,320
$-45,080
District of Columbia $120,220
$164,720
$-44,500
Florida $102,280
$123,960
$-21,680
Georgia $104,000
$155,210
$-51,210
Hawaii $90,500
$133,040
$-42,540
Idaho $75,590
$133,590
$-58,000
Illinois $96,560
$128,990
$-32,430
Indiana $75,980
$84,020
$-8,040
Iowa $90,090
$132,330
$-42,240
Kansas $133,200
$154,090
$-20,890
Kentucky $78,810
$88,930
$-10,120
Louisiana $93,100
$103,600
$-10,500
Maine $95,320
$120,790
$-25,470
Maryland $113,810
$139,510
$-25,700
Massachusetts $121,520
$152,030
$-30,510
Michigan $97,760
$122,700
$-24,940
Minnesota $96,940
$130,350
$-33,410
Mississippi $79,580
$71,950
+$7,630
Missouri $81,630
$102,810
$-21,180
Montana $80,480
$112,580
$-32,100
Nebraska $85,140
$129,110
$-43,970
Nevada $81,850
$125,180
$-43,330
New Hampshire $103,580
$124,430
$-20,850
New Jersey $119,450
$162,410
$-42,960
New Mexico $90,610
$126,000
$-35,390
New York $98,110
$142,230
$-44,120
North Carolina $104,990
$125,860
$-20,870
North Dakota $74,350
$103,730
$-29,380
Ohio $94,510
$127,230
$-32,720
Oklahoma $76,720
$111,070
$-34,350
Oregon $98,480
$134,980
$-36,500
Pennsylvania $97,100
$125,790
$-28,690
Rhode Island $110,540
$116,980
$-6,440
South Carolina $95,680
$130,020
$-34,340
South Dakota $84,300
$113,410
$-29,110
Tennessee $107,600
$120,000
$-12,400
Texas $102,010
$138,090
$-36,080
Utah $92,680
$149,200
$-56,520
Vermont $100,120
$129,950
$-29,830
Virginia $102,630
$138,300
$-35,670
Washington $109,490
$144,910
$-35,420
West Virginia $64,830
$72,260
$-7,430
Wisconsin $91,520
$134,020
$-42,500
Wyoming $79,430
$57,610
+$21,820

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Database Administrators or Database Architects?
On average across all states, a Database Architects earns more than a Database Administrators. The national median salary difference is $28,885 (30.0%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Database Administrators earn more than a Database Architects?
A Database Administrators earns a higher median salary than a Database Architects in 2 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Database Architects pays more in 49 states.
What is the median salary for a Database Administrators vs Database Architects?
The national median salary for a Database Administrators is $96,236 per year, compared to $125,121 for a Database Architects, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Database Administrators or Database Architects?
There are more people employed as Database Administrators. BLS reports approximately 76,140 Database Administrators positions and 59,640 Database Architects positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Database Administrators or Database Architects?
Both Database Administrators and Database Architects are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.