National Salary Overview
VS
Software Developers earns $26,512 more (26.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$100,888
$127,401
Average (Mean) Salary
$103,488
$131,905
Total Employment
70,020
1,687,370
States with Higher Pay
1
49
Salary by State: Database Administrators vs Software Developers
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Database Administrators pays more in 1 states; Software Developers pays more in 49.
| State | Database Administrators | Software Developers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $93,900 | $122,540 | $-28,640 | ||
| Arizona | $104,280 | $129,690 | $-25,410 | ||
| Arkansas | $82,480 | $104,490 | $-22,010 | ||
| California | $113,060 | $174,410 | $-61,350 | ||
| Colorado | $118,340 | $138,390 | $-20,050 | ||
| Connecticut | $108,270 | $134,120 | $-25,850 | ||
| Delaware | $100,910 | $133,020 | $-32,110 | ||
| District of Columbia | $118,540 | $136,880 | $-18,340 | ||
| Florida | $104,120 | $130,980 | $-26,860 | ||
| Georgia | $106,810 | $131,010 | $-24,200 | ||
| Hawaii | $85,500 | $124,040 | $-38,540 | ||
| Idaho | $85,660 | $131,590 | $-45,930 | ||
| Illinois | $104,650 | $132,110 | $-27,460 | ||
| Indiana | $90,090 | $105,920 | $-15,830 | ||
| Iowa | $101,210 | $114,890 | $-13,680 | ||
| Kansas | $100,170 | $113,420 | $-13,250 | ||
| Kentucky | $87,390 | $109,010 | $-21,620 | ||
| Louisiana | $98,270 | $102,800 | $-4,530 | ||
| Maine | $70,500 | $123,120 | $-52,620 | ||
| Maryland | $124,300 | $138,680 | $-14,380 | ||
| Massachusetts | $129,300 | $165,210 | $-35,910 | ||
| Michigan | $99,830 | $125,570 | $-25,740 | ||
| Minnesota | $100,700 | $130,050 | $-29,350 | ||
| Mississippi | $87,790 | $95,330 | $-7,540 | ||
| Missouri | $100,270 | $126,120 | $-25,850 | ||
| Montana | $83,120 | $121,990 | $-38,870 | ||
| Nebraska | $100,020 | $110,900 | $-10,880 | ||
| Nevada | $109,670 | $128,810 | $-19,140 | ||
| New Hampshire | $92,110 | $139,720 | $-47,610 | ||
| New Jersey | $125,860 | $135,940 | $-10,080 | ||
| New Mexico | $98,450 | $124,520 | $-26,070 | ||
| New York | $105,900 | $166,180 | $-60,280 | ||
| North Carolina | $113,900 | $134,710 | $-20,810 | ||
| North Dakota | $78,730 | $105,600 | $-26,870 | ||
| Ohio | $97,190 | $114,090 | $-16,900 | ||
| Oklahoma | $95,320 | $118,100 | $-22,780 | ||
| Oregon | $100,260 | $142,720 | $-42,460 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $100,110 | $126,550 | $-26,440 | ||
| Rhode Island | $106,020 | $130,590 | $-24,570 | ||
| South Carolina | $93,640 | $129,450 | $-35,810 | ||
| South Dakota | $82,540 | $96,310 | $-13,770 | ||
| Tennessee | $115,500 | $122,430 | $-6,930 | ||
| Texas | $114,400 | $132,150 | $-17,750 | ||
| Utah | $135,750 | $128,810 | +$6,940 | ||
| Vermont | $104,230 | $125,280 | $-21,050 | ||
| Virginia | $93,320 | $136,460 | $-43,140 | ||
| Washington | $118,140 | $166,540 | $-48,400 | ||
| West Virginia | $73,490 | $121,000 | $-47,510 | ||
| Wisconsin | $100,020 | $122,660 | $-22,640 | ||
| Wyoming | $82,480 | $115,170 | $-32,690 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Database Administrators vs Software Developers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $26,512 (26.3%) based on 2025 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 1 out of 50 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 $100,888 per year, compared to $127,401 for a Software Developers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Database Administrators or Software Developers?
There are more people employed as Software Developers. BLS reports approximately 70,020 Database Administrators positions and 1,687,370 Software Developers positions nationwide (2025).
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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