Database Architects Salary
The median pay for a database architects in North Carolina is $134,630/year ($64.73/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $178K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $145,295 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 15.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $135K get you in North Carolina?
About database architects
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Database architects pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $135K locally vs. $140K nationwide, a 3% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 15.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level database architects (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $135K. Top earners bring in $178K or more, a $97K spread from bottom to top.
Database Architects salary by metro in North Carolina
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $142K | +5% | 560 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $139K | +3% | 1,560 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $133K | -1% | 710 |
| Wilmington | $131K | -2% | 50 |
| Winston-Salem | $126K | -7% | 130 |
| Asheville | $111K | -18% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track database architects salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a database architect afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $135K, rent takes 15.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for database architects in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new database architects typically earn — is $81K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,874/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 26% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is database architect a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $135K locally vs. $140K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for database architects?
North Carolina pays $135K median vs. the U.S. average of $140K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $145K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do database architects make in North Carolina?
The median is $134,630 a year, that works out to about $65 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,230, and experienced database architects can clear $178,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $135K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,060/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 15.9% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median database architects salary is worth about $145,295 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.