National Salary Overview
VS
Software Developers earns $22,513 more (23.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$96,236
$118,749
Average (Mean) Salary
$98,563
$123,645
Total Employment
76,140
1,656,880
States with Higher Pay
2
49
Salary by State: Database Administrators vs Software Developers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Database Administrators pays more in 2 states; Software Developers pays more in 49.
| State | Database Administrators | Software Developers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $85,070 | $102,730 | $-17,660 | ||
| Alaska | $90,800 | $151,400 | $-60,600 | ||
| Arizona | $107,940 | $123,180 | $-15,240 | ||
| Arkansas | $84,930 | $92,140 | $-7,210 | ||
| California | $112,170 | $168,660 | $-56,490 | ||
| Colorado | $116,420 | $134,960 | $-18,540 | ||
| Connecticut | $114,400 | $125,080 | $-10,680 | ||
| Delaware | $103,240 | $131,690 | $-28,450 | ||
| District of Columbia | $120,220 | $140,360 | $-20,140 | ||
| Florida | $102,280 | $122,310 | $-20,030 | ||
| Georgia | $104,000 | $127,070 | $-23,070 | ||
| Hawaii | $90,500 | $104,860 | $-14,360 | ||
| Idaho | $75,590 | $102,700 | $-27,110 | ||
| Illinois | $96,560 | $126,200 | $-29,640 | ||
| Indiana | $75,980 | $105,740 | $-29,760 | ||
| Iowa | $90,090 | $105,920 | $-15,830 | ||
| Kansas | $133,200 | $104,250 | +$28,950 | ||
| Kentucky | $78,810 | $103,030 | $-24,220 | ||
| Louisiana | $93,100 | $104,840 | $-11,740 | ||
| Maine | $95,320 | $113,190 | $-17,870 | ||
| Maryland | $113,810 | $138,050 | $-24,240 | ||
| Massachusetts | $121,520 | $137,130 | $-15,610 | ||
| Michigan | $97,760 | $103,830 | $-6,070 | ||
| Minnesota | $96,940 | $125,380 | $-28,440 | ||
| Mississippi | $79,580 | $85,190 | $-5,610 | ||
| Missouri | $81,630 | $104,600 | $-22,970 | ||
| Montana | $80,480 | $109,270 | $-28,790 | ||
| Nebraska | $85,140 | $109,800 | $-24,660 | ||
| Nevada | $81,850 | $125,590 | $-43,740 | ||
| New Hampshire | $103,580 | $128,860 | $-25,280 | ||
| New Jersey | $119,450 | $131,680 | $-12,230 | ||
| New Mexico | $90,610 | $126,560 | $-35,950 | ||
| New York | $98,110 | $145,470 | $-47,360 | ||
| North Carolina | $104,990 | $130,620 | $-25,630 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,350 | $100,980 | $-26,630 | ||
| Ohio | $94,510 | $107,560 | $-13,050 | ||
| Oklahoma | $76,720 | $104,030 | $-27,310 | ||
| Oregon | $98,480 | $130,000 | $-31,520 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $97,100 | $111,910 | $-14,810 | ||
| Rhode Island | $110,540 | $128,990 | $-18,450 | ||
| South Carolina | $95,680 | $111,130 | $-15,450 | ||
| South Dakota | $84,300 | $82,850 | +$1,450 | ||
| Tennessee | $107,600 | $110,660 | $-3,060 | ||
| Texas | $102,010 | $127,000 | $-24,990 | ||
| Utah | $92,680 | $116,830 | $-24,150 | ||
| Vermont | $100,120 | $112,620 | $-12,500 | ||
| Virginia | $102,630 | $135,040 | $-32,410 | ||
| Washington | $109,490 | $162,390 | $-52,900 | ||
| West Virginia | $64,830 | $81,380 | $-16,550 | ||
| Wisconsin | $91,520 | $102,660 | $-11,140 | ||
| Wyoming | $79,430 | $137,860 | $-58,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Database Administrators or Software Developers?
On average across all states, a Software Developers earns more than a Database Administrators. The national median salary difference is $22,513 (23.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Database Administrators earn more than a Software Developers?
A Database Administrators earns a higher median salary than a Software Developers in 2 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Software Developers pays more in 49 states.
What is the median salary for a Database Administrators vs Software Developers?
The national median salary for a Database Administrators is $96,236 per year, compared to $118,749 for a Software Developers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Database Administrators or Software Developers?
There are more people employed as Software Developers. BLS reports approximately 76,140 Database Administrators positions and 1,656,880 Software Developers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Database Administrators or Software Developers?
Both Database Administrators and Software Developers 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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