Database Administrator Salary in California
Based on 6K+ workers in California
Median Annual Salary (CA)
$170,160
$81.81/hr
vs National Average
$132,518
+28.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$101K – $228K
6K employed in California
Database Administrator salary in California averages $147,950 per year, positioning the state well above national benchmarks. This median reflects compensation across California's 42 employed database administrators, representing a 12% premium over the national average. The state's competitive tech sector and high cost of living significantly influence these wage levels.
Several factors shape Database Administrator salary in California, including experience level, employer size, and industry specialization. Tech hubs like the Bay Area command higher salaries due to intense competition for skilled talent and concentrated corporate investment. Cost of living adjustments, company profitability, and specific technical certifications also play meaningful roles in determining individual compensation packages throughout the state.
Salary Distribution — Database Administrator in California
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $101,200 |
| 25th percentile | $132,880 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $170,160 |
| 75th percentile | $203,130 |
| 90th percentile | $227,900 |
Top H-1B Employers for Database Administrator in California
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in California — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 80 | $152,810 |
| 2 | Accenture LLP | 7 | $171,200 |
| 3 | INFOSYS LIMITED | 7 | $96,200 |
| 4 | Google LLC | 5 | $170,000 |
| 5 | ServiceNow, Inc. | 5 | $128,004 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Database Administrator H-1B Salary by Wage Level in California
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in California.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $89,357 | 23 |
| Level II | Qualified | $120,640 | 129 |
| Level III | Experienced | $147,950 | 47 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $180,000 | 81 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Database Administrator (U.S.)
Which industries pay Database Administrators the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Database Administrators in California tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services | $149,490 | 4K |
| Information | $148,000 | 11K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $146,590 | 380 |
| Finance and Insurance | $146,470 | 9K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $145,240 | 60 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Database Administrator in California vs National
| Year | Median Salary (California) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $155,290 |
| 2023 | $162,250 |
| 2024 | $159,130 |
| 2025 | $170,160 |
| 2026 (projected) | $180,370 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | California Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $155,290 | $123,276 |
| 2023 | $162,250 | $125,122 |
| 2024 | $159,130 | $130,531 |
| 2025 | $170,160 | $132,518 |
| 2026 (projected) | $180,370 | $140,469 |
Database Administrator Salary by Experience Level in California
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $132,880 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $170,160 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $203,130 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $227,900 |
Database Administrator Salary in Other States
Related Database Administrator Salaries in California
How other high-demand occupations in California compare to Database Administrator ($170,160 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Database Administrator | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in CA | $218,290 | +28.3% | $104.95/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in CA | $185,180 | +8.8% | $89.03/hr |
| Data Analyst in CA | $180,500 | +6.1% | $86.78/hr |
| Software Developer in CA | $174,410 | +2.5% | $83.85/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in CA | $159,100 | -6.5% | $76.49/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in CA | $158,870 | -6.6% | $76.38/hr |
| Data Scientist in CA | $141,590 | -16.8% | $68.07/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in CA | $138,570 | -18.6% | $66.62/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in CA | $136,110 | -20.0% | $65.44/hr |
| Statistician in CA | $135,960 | -20.1% | $65.37/hr |
| Software Engineer in CA | $134,440 | -21.0% | $64.63/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in CA | $130,540 | -23.3% | $62.76/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do database administrators make in California?
- Database administrators in California earn a median salary of $147,950 per year, or approximately $71 per hour. This is 12.2% higher than the national average for this position.
What is the salary range for database administrators in California?
- The salary data for database administrators in California shows a median of $147,950 annually, with the range extending up to $147,970 for experienced professionals in the state.
Is database administrator salary in California above the national average?
- Yes, California database administrators earn significantly above the national average, with a median salary of $147,950 compared to the national average—representing a 12.2% premium for working in the state.
How many database administrators are employed in California?
- There are approximately 42 database administrators currently employed in California according to recent salary data, representing the total employed count in the state.