Database Administrators Salary
The median pay for a database administrators in Washington is $118,140/year ($56.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $115,812 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 23.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $118K get you in Washington?
About database administrators
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for database administrators, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $105K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 24% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for database administratorss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level database administrators (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K. Top earners bring in $171K or more, a $99K spread from bottom to top.
Database Administrators salary by metro in Washington
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $133K | +13% | 1,010 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $115K | -2% | 390 |
| Bellingham | $112K | -5% | 30 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $99K | -16% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track database administrators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a database administrator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $118K, rent takes 24% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for database administrators in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new database administrators typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,330/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 42% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $118K here vs. $105K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for database administrators?
Washington pays $118K median vs. the U.S. average of $105K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $116K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do database administrators make in Washington?
The median is $118,140 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,170, and experienced database administrators can clear $170,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,625/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 24% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a database administrators salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $115,812 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.