Database Architect Salary
Database Architects earn a median $139,500 a year nationally. Computer and Mathematical Occupations
What database architects do
Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.4% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 3,900
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of database architects is projected to grow 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Database Architect take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$22,214
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,649
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,023
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$106,614
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,240 | $41.46 | $69,500 |
| 25th percentile | $109,370 | $52.58 | $85,772 |
| Median (50th) | $139,500 | $67.07 | $106,614 |
| 75th percentile | $169,290 | $81.39 | $126,976 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $204,000 | $98.08 | $151,873 |
Best cities for database architects (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $154,770 | $117,051 | $113,543 | 4,320 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $162,870 | $111,712 | $102,597 | 4,740 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $131,540 | $94,453 | $83,911 | 5,460 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $105,430 | $83,000 | $74,685 | 2,500 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Washington, DC — $162,870
- Dallas, TX — $154,770
- New York, NY — $131,540
- Seattle, WA — $105,430
Database Architect salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $170,160 | +6.9% | $113,763 | $101,200 – $227,900 | 6,210 |
| Massachusetts | $161,650 | +0.3% | $113,891 | $123,670 – $220,910 | 2,690 |
| Virginia | $160,360 | — | $112,465 | $105,210 – $210,160 | 5,260 |
| Arizona | $156,100 | +19.5% | $114,267 | $99,730 – $189,190 | 1,200 |
| Colorado | $154,560 | +2.0% | $110,816 | $88,000 – $195,510 | 1,950 |
| Texas | $151,370 | +13.1% | $114,727 | $92,890 – $200,390 | 8,270 |
| District of Columbia | $150,010 | −4.5% | $104,015 | $82,220 – $225,110 | 790 |
| Delaware | $147,800 | +0.9% | $103,874 | $83,370 – $160,860 | — |
| Connecticut | $144,460 | −2.0% | $103,487 | $106,040 – $210,800 | 1,140 |
| Illinois | $142,500 | +6.0% | $101,756 | $97,820 – $193,950 | 1,590 |
| New York | $141,350 | +10.2% | $100,579 | $82,540 – $216,550 | 3,850 |
| Rhode Island | $140,320 | +2.8% | $102,111 | $92,540 – $189,810 | 160 |
| Nevada | $140,200 | +7.5% | $107,093 | $72,500 – $200,190 | 420 |
| New Hampshire | $139,990 | — | $106,949 | $74,120 – $174,850 | 120 |
| Georgia | $139,500 | +3.1% | $99,997 | $102,400 – $187,410 | 2,590 |
| Florida | $138,320 | +4.0% | $105,808 | $85,880 – $206,410 | 1,810 |
| Oregon | $138,250 | −1.0% | $94,374 | $100,820 – $175,600 | 730 |
| Wisconsin | $137,810 | −0.8% | $99,536 | $92,660 – $170,450 | 520 |
| South Dakota | $136,540 | +7.1% | $104,591 | $95,060 – $142,980 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $134,630 | +3.1% | $98,423 | $81,230 – $178,380 | 4,070 |
| Nebraska | $134,320 | +1.5% | $97,842 | $91,560 – $173,050 | 610 |
| Hawaii | $134,040 | −10.3% | $94,215 | $93,780 – $212,150 | 60 |
| Maine | $133,120 | −14.0% | $94,231 | $86,880 – $159,620 | 190 |
| Minnesota | $133,050 | +2.0% | $94,594 | $94,220 – $169,380 | 1,240 |
| Maryland | $132,940 | −5.5% | $96,110 | $80,090 – $205,320 | 1,370 |
| Ohio | $132,910 | +2.4% | $99,237 | $94,530 – $174,260 | 1,820 |
| Indiana | $132,830 | −0.2% | $98,166 | $83,480 – $172,460 | 500 |
| Utah | $131,740 | +3.1% | $96,348 | $97,990 – $198,920 | 630 |
| Michigan | $131,000 | +8.4% | $95,488 | $79,810 – $174,060 | 1,390 |
| South Carolina | $130,000 | +1.2% | $93,478 | $84,300 – $183,700 | 1,160 |
| Kansas | $129,990 | +0.7% | $93,660 | $81,790 – $165,330 | 360 |
| Washington | $128,760 | −10.6% | $99,273 | $101,970 – $195,590 | 2,990 |
| Kentucky | $125,400 | +22.3% | $92,706 | $74,140 – $173,110 | 350 |
| Iowa | $124,040 | −5.6% | $91,986 | $78,660 – $159,790 | 240 |
| Idaho | $121,380 | −3.7% | $88,896 | $79,140 – $187,440 | 260 |
| New Jersey | $120,790 | −16.1% | $88,301 | $86,230 – $197,950 | 3,090 |
| New Mexico | $117,950 | −1.8% | $87,359 | $70,870 – $165,440 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $115,170 | −10.3% | $89,852 | $73,440 – $170,520 | 650 |
| Alaska | $112,500 | −1.1% | $87,974 | $65,060 – $130,500 | 70 |
| Missouri | $110,570 | +1.6% | $82,357 | $64,420 – $166,610 | 1,410 |
| Oklahoma | $110,110 | −16.8% | $81,883 | $82,820 – $173,990 | 860 |
| Montana | $109,990 | −5.4% | $81,354 | $86,470 – $128,500 | — |
| North Dakota | $109,430 | −5.8% | $84,939 | $86,370 – $138,250 | 60 |
| Alabama | $105,450 | −5.3% | $78,007 | $78,400 – $172,890 | 270 |
| Arkansas | $104,070 | +3.0% | $78,197 | $74,700 – $162,920 | 360 |
| Mississippi | $98,420 | +8.2% | $74,864 | $61,030 – $137,340 | 100 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Network Architect | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree | +7.7% |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 | Bachelor's degree | -0.1% |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree | -4.1% |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist | $140,300 | Master's degree | +21.8% |
| Software Developer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree | +10.2% |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree | +21.0% |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $116,580 | Bachelor's degree | +5.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree | +7.9% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester | $104,300 | Bachelor's degree | +5.7% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree | +6.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a database architect make?
The national median salary for database architects is $139,500 a year ($67.07 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,240 and the top 10% earn over $204,000. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays database architects the most?
California has the highest median pay at $170,160. After taxes and local prices, Dallas, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many database architects are there in the U.S.?
About 67,140 people work as database architects nationwide.