Database Administrator Salary in San Francisco, CA: $130,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time database administrator in San Francisco, CA earns a median $130,290/year (≈ $62.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1242). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $112,695 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.1% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the database administrator salary in San Francisco is projected to reach a median of $130,290, reflecting a competitive advantage over the national average with a difference of 22.12%. Salary ranges vary significantly across the market, with entry-level positions starting at $68,072 and experienced professionals earning up to $214,984. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates not only the appeal of the San Francisco job market but also highlights the demand for professionals in roles requiring security clearance. As companies increasingly seek DBAs with specialized skills, the competition for cleared positions has created an environment ripe for growth and opportunity.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,072 | $32.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,648 | $45.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,290 | $62.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,186 | $80.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,984 | $103.36 |
Median Salary Position
22.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the database administrator salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,912 (2026 est.). At $130,290, the local median is 22.12% above the national median of $106,691.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Database Administrator Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $130,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $106,707 | +22.10% more |
| National Average | $106,691 | +22.12% more |
Database Administrators in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $130,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.12% higher than the national median of $106,691 and 22.10% above the California state average of $106,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $130,290 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $112,695 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$120,550
2025 BLS Actual
$127,760
2026 Current Est.
$130,290
2021–2027 Growth
+10.2%
Salary Trajectory for Database Administrators in San Francisco (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $120,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,869 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median database administrator salary grew 6.0% from $120,550 (2021) to $127,760 (2025). At a 1.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,869 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,319 (10.22%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.98% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,072 – $94,648 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,648 – $130,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,290 – $167,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,186 – $214,984 |
DBA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual database administrator compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Database Administrator Job Market in San Francisco
With approximately 1,470 database administrators employed in San Francisco, the local job market remains robust. The cost of living index of 115.613 indicates that while salaries may be high, purchasing power can be significantly impacted by the region's expenses. Major employers—including tech giants like those in FAANG, financial institutions such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, and healthcare systems—often pay top dollar for expertise in technologies like Oracle, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL. Factors driving salary variation include specialty in modern cloud technology, demand for security clearance (with a premium between 20-40% for TS/SCI holders), and ongoing transitions towards data engineering roles. To maximize earnings, aspiring DBAs should consider obtaining relevant certifications, focusing on cloud technologies, and honing skills that align with the evolving demands of the market in San Francisco CA.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Khan, MS, DBA
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in database management. She specializes in relational database systems. Amina works in a technology consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $127,760 for database administratorsin the San Francisco metropolitan area. A 1.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for database administrators (SOC 15-1242).
Compiled and verified by Amina Khan, MS, DBA, a licensed database administrator with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov