Database Administrators Salary
The median pay for a database administrators in District of Columbia is $118,540/year ($56.99/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $74K at the entry level to $155K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $108,872 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 29.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $119K get you in District of Columbia?
About database administrators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for database administrators, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $105K. Rent runs $2,146/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level database administrators (10th percentile) start around $74K. Mid-career wages sit at $119K. Top earners bring in $155K or more, a $80K spread from bottom to top.
Database Administrators salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $109K | -8% | 3,730 |
Compare to other states
Track database administrators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
Can a database administrator afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $119K, rent takes 30.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for database administrators in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new database administrators typically earn — is $74K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,462/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is database administrator a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $119K here vs. $105K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for database administrators?
District of Columbia pays $119K median vs. the U.S. average of $105K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $109K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do database administrators make in District of Columbia?
The median is $118,540 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,360, and experienced database administrators can clear $154,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $119K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,045/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 30.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a database administrators salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median database administrators salary is worth about $108,872 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do database administrators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.