Database Administrator Salary in Tacoma, WA: $133,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time database administrator in Tacoma, WA earns a median $133,552/year (≈ $64.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1242). Once you factor in Tacoma's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $124,350 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.6% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tacoma, Washington, the projected median annual salary for database administrators in 2026 stands at $133,552, which is notably higher than the national median of $106,691. The salary range for this occupation reflects a wide spectrum, from $77,460 at the 10th percentile to $207,005 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, taking into account regional cost adjustments. With a solid demand for this role, driven by local businesses and an increasing trend towards cloud database management, Tacoma presents a compelling job market for database administrators, particularly for those equipped with sought-after skills and certifications.
About the Tacoma Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,859 | $48.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,552 | $64.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,947 | $82.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,005 | $99.52 |
Median Salary Position
25.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tacoma
In Tacoma, WA, the database administrator salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,545 (2026 est.). At $133,552, the local median is 25.18% above the national median of $106,691.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tacoma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tacoma Database Administrator Pay Compares
Tacoma median: $133,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tacoma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $114,539 | +16.60% more |
| National Average | $106,691 | +25.18% more |
Database Administrators in Tacoma, WA earn a median of $133,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.18% higher than the national median of $106,691 and 16.60% above the Washington state average of $114,539.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tacoma has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tacoma, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,552 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,350 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$121,058
2025 BLS Actual
$130,959
2026 Current Est.
$133,552
2021–2027 Growth
+12.5%
Salary Trajectory for Database Administrators in Tacoma (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $121,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,038 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,066 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,234 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,959 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,196 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tacoma metropolitan area, the median database administrator salary grew 8.2% from $121,058 (2021) to $130,959 (2025). At a 1.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,138 (12.50%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tacoma 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) | $77,460 – $99,859 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,859 – $133,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,552 – $170,947 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,947 – $207,005 |
DBA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual database administrator compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Database Administrator Job Market in Tacoma
A total of 56 database administrators are currently employed in Tacoma, indicating a specialized yet competitive market. The cost of living in this area is represented by a cost-of-living index of 107.4, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power is modestly affected by local expenses. Major employers include large tech companies, financial services firms, and government contractors that often require security clearances, enhancing compensation opportunities. Factors such as specialization, with a premium on cloud-based skills in AWS and Azure, as well as the escalating demand for PostgreSQL expertise, significantly influence salary variations within the field. To maximize their pay, candidates should pursue relevant certifications and consider focusing on roles that integrate DBA responsibilities with emerging data engineering practices.
More salary data for Tacoma, WA:
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 $130,959 for database administratorsin the Tacoma 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
Salary data for Tacoma is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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