Database Administrator Salary in Washington: $125,210 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 49 metropolitan areas, the average median database administrator pay sits at $125,210/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1242. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $116,583 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($134,485), Seattle ($133,180), Tacoma ($130,959).
In 2026, the average median salary for database administrators in Washington is projected to be $125,210, significantly higher than the national average of $106,691, representing a difference of 17.4%. The highest paying city in the state is Bellevue, where salaries are expected to reach $137,148, while Spokane is projected to offer the lowest at $101,103. This variance can be attributed to factors such as the local economy, demand for technical skills, and industry presence. Washington's job market is influenced by several factors, including state licensing requirements and a strong emphasis on cybersecurity and data management across various sectors. The demand for database administrators is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 1.98%. Top cities for employment include Bellevue, Seattle at $135,817, Tacoma at $133,552, Tumwater at $118,690, and Olympia at $117,614, reflecting the concentration of technology and business hubs in these areas. Overall, the job outlook for database administrators in Washington appears stable, driven by ongoing technological advancements and the increasing importance of data analytics in decision-making across industries.
Washington Database Administrator Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $59,767 (lowest entry-level) to $212,579 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington database administrators earn 17.36% more than the national median (+$18,519/year difference).
Washington Database Administrator Salary Distribution (2026)
Database Administrator salaries in Washington range from $74,084 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $170,822 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $125,210. The Washington median is $18,519 above the US national median of $106,691. The average hourly rate is $60.20/hr. Approximately 2,077 database administrators are employed across 49 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$114,717
2025 BLS Actual
$122,779
2026 Current Est.
$125,210
2021–2027 Growth
+11.3%
Salary Trajectory for Database Administrators in Washington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $114,717 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,124 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,086 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,779 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,210 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,689 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median database administrator salary grew 7.0% from $114,717 (2021) to $122,779 (2025). At a 1.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,689 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,972 (11.31%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Spokane | $101,103 |
| Spokane Valley | $103,048 |
| Vancouver | $105,829 |
| Tukwila | $105,915 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $106,079 |
Best Value Cities for Database Administrators in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for database administrators.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | $137,148 | 107.4 | $127,698 |
| Tacoma | $133,552 | 107.4 | $124,350 |
| Seattle | $135,817 | 111.133 | $122,211 |
| Olympia | $117,614 | 103.67 | $113,450 |
| Bellingham | $114,207 | 103.334 | $110,522 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,084 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $125,210 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $170,822 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 49 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $137,148 |
| 2 | Seattle | $135,817 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $133,552 |
| 4 | Tumwater | $118,690 |
| 5 | Olympia | $117,614 |
| 6 | Renton | $117,580 |
| 7 | Lacey | $116,649 |
| 8 | Everett | $116,441 |
| 9 | Richland | $115,805 |
| 10 | Marysville | $115,569 |
| 11 | Shoreline | $114,933 |
| 12 | Redmond | $114,480 |
| 13 | Kent | $114,386 |
| 14 | Bellingham | $114,207 |
| 15 | Kirkland | $114,198 |
| 16 | Burien | $114,053 |
| 17 | Kennewick | $113,681 |
| 18 | Federal Way | $113,553 |
| 19 | Des Moines | $113,528 |
| 20 | Auburn | $113,264 |
| 21 | Lakewood | $113,218 |
| 22 | Issaquah | $113,154 |
| 23 | Sammamish | $112,411 |
| 24 | University Place | $112,372 |
| 25 | SeaTac | $112,283 |
| 26 | Pasco | $111,803 |
| 27 | Longview | $111,750 |
| 28 | Mount Vernon | $111,465 |
| 29 | Edmonds | $111,118 |
| 30 | Lake Stevens | $110,825 |
| 31 | Lynnwood | $110,753 |
| 32 | Moses Lake | $110,540 |
| 33 | Bothell | $110,460 |
| 34 | Pullman | $109,971 |
| 35 | Puyallup | $109,722 |
| 36 | Ellensburg | $109,310 |
| 37 | Maple Valley | $109,011 |
| 38 | Bremerton | $108,895 |
| 39 | Walla Walla | $108,771 |
| 40 | Camas | $108,735 |
| 41 | Wenatchee | $108,646 |
| 42 | Oak Harbor | $108,276 |
| 43 | Kenmore | $107,578 |
| 44 | Covington | $107,570 |
| 45 | Mountlake Terrace | $106,079 |
| 46 | Tukwila | $105,915 |
| 47 | Vancouver | $105,829 |
| 48 | Spokane Valley | $103,048 |
| 49 | Spokane | $101,103 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore database administrator hourly pay in Washington cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced database administrators.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Database Administrator Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do database administrators make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for database administrators in Washington?
How does Washington database administrator pay compare to the national average?
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Which Washington city offers the best value for database administrators?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 database administrator compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 49 metro areas — larger metro areas with more database administratorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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