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Database Administrators vs Database Architects: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Database Administrators

Median Salary
$100,888
Average (Mean)
$103,488
Employed Nationwide
70,020
VS

Database Architects

Median Salary
$132,518
Average (Mean)
$134,523
Employed Nationwide
63,570
Database Architects earns $31,629 more (31.4%)
Database Administrators vs Database Architects national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Database AdministratorsDatabase AdministratorsDatabase Administrators: $100,889$100,889Database ArchitectsDatabase ArchitectsDatabase Architects: $132,518$132,518

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $100,888 $132,518
Average (Mean) Salary $103,488 $134,523
Total Employment 70,020 63,570
States with Higher Pay 3 43

Salary by State: Database Administrators vs Database Architects

Showing 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. Database Administrators pays more in 3 states; Database Architects pays more in 43.

State Database Administrators Database Architects Difference
Alabama $93,900
$105,450
$-11,550
Alaska $108,810
$112,500
$-3,690
Arizona $104,280
$156,100
$-51,820
Arkansas $82,480
$104,070
$-21,590
California $113,060
$170,160
$-57,100
Colorado $118,340
$154,560
$-36,220
Connecticut $108,270
$144,460
$-36,190
Delaware $100,910
$147,800
$-46,890
District of Columbia $118,540
$150,010
$-31,470
Florida $104,120
$138,320
$-34,200
Georgia $106,810
$139,500
$-32,690
Hawaii $85,500
$134,040
$-48,540
Idaho $85,660
$121,380
$-35,720
Illinois $104,650
$142,500
$-37,850
Indiana $90,090
$132,830
$-42,740
Iowa $101,210
$124,040
$-22,830
Kansas $100,170
$129,990
$-29,820
Kentucky $87,390
$125,400
$-38,010
Maine $70,500
$133,120
$-62,620
Maryland $124,300
$132,940
$-8,640
Massachusetts $129,300
$161,650
$-32,350
Michigan $99,830
$131,000
$-31,170
Minnesota $100,700
$133,050
$-32,350
Mississippi $87,790
$98,420
$-10,630
Missouri $100,270
$110,570
$-10,300
Montana $83,120
$109,990
$-26,870
Nebraska $100,020
$134,320
$-34,300
Nevada $109,670
$140,200
$-30,530
New Hampshire $92,110
$139,990
$-47,880
New Jersey $125,860
$120,790
+$5,070
New Mexico $98,450
$117,950
$-19,500
New York $105,900
$141,350
$-35,450
North Carolina $113,900
$134,630
$-20,730
North Dakota $78,730
$109,430
$-30,700
Ohio $97,190
$132,910
$-35,720
Oklahoma $95,320
$110,110
$-14,790
Oregon $100,260
$138,250
$-37,990
Rhode Island $106,020
$140,320
$-34,300
South Carolina $93,640
$130,000
$-36,360
South Dakota $82,540
$136,540
$-54,000
Tennessee $115,500
$115,170
+$330
Texas $114,400
$151,370
$-36,970
Utah $135,750
$131,740
+$4,010
Virginia $93,320
$160,360
$-67,040
Washington $118,140
$128,760
$-10,620
Wisconsin $100,020
$137,810
$-37,790

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Database Administrators vs Database Architects salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

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 $31,629 (31.4%) based on 2025 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 3 out of 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Database Architects pays more in 43 states.
What is the median salary for a Database Administrators vs Database Architects?
The national median salary for a Database Administrators is $100,888 per year, compared to $132,518 for a Database Architects, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Database Administrators or Database Architects?
There are more people employed as Database Administrators. BLS reports approximately 70,020 Database Administrators positions and 63,570 Database Architects positions nationwide (2025).
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.

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