Database Architects Salary
The median pay for a database architects in District of Columbia is $150,010/year ($72.12/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $82K at the entry level to $225K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $137,776 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 24.2% 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 $150K get you in District of Columbia?
About database architects
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
Database architects pay in District of Columbia tracks closely to the national median, $150K locally vs. $140K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,146/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. 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 architects (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $150K. Top earners bring in $225K or more, a $143K spread from bottom to top.
Database Architects 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 | $163K | +9% | 4,740 |
Compare to other states
Track database architects salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a database architect afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $150K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for database architects in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new database architects typically earn — is $82K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,933/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is database architect a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $150K locally vs. $140K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for database architects?
District of Columbia pays $150K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s +8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $138K — below the national median.
How much do database architects make in District of Columbia?
The median is $150,010 a year, that works out to about $72 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,220, and experienced database architects can clear $225,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $150K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,615/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 24.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a database architects 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 architects salary is worth about $137,776 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do database architects 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.