Database Administrators Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a database administrators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $148,430/year ($71.36/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $215K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $134,423 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 39.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $148K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About database administrators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level database administrators (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $148K.Top earners bring in $215K or more - a $135K spread from bottom to top.
Database Administrators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $129K | +23% | 2,060 |
| District of Columbia | $128K | +23% | 550 |
| Maryland | $122K | +17% | 2,640 |
| New Hampshire | $122K | +16% | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $117K | +12% | 1,940 |
| Washington | $115K | +10% | 2,190 |
| Kansas | $113K | +8% | 560 |
| California | $111K | +6% | 8,360 |
| Texas | $110K | +5% | 6,110 |
| North Carolina | $108K | +4% | 1,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $108K | +3% | 5,000 |
| New York | $107K | +2% | 3,680 |
| Georgia | $106K | +1% | 3,020 |
| Virginia | $105K | +0% | 4,210 |
| Rhode Island | $104K | -1% | 320 |
Track database administrators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do database administrators make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $148,430 a year - that works out to about $71.36 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,300, and experienced database administrators can clear $214,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $148K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,522/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.9% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $134,423 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.