Data Engineer vs Database Administrator salary
In Germany, a data engineer earns about 29% more than a database administrator — $205,294 vs $158,533 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is EUR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer$205,294/yr
- Monthly
- $17,108
- Hourly
- $99
- Range
- $131,388–$295,624
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Technology
Database Administrator$158,533/yr
- Monthly
- $13,230
- Hourly
- $76
- Range
- $107,209–$221,262
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | Database Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $131,388 | $107,209 |
| 25th | $168,341 | $132,871 |
| Median | $205,294 | $158,533 |
| 75th | $250,459 | $189,897 |
| Senior (90th) | $295,624 | $221,262 |
National Germany figures in EUR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data engineer or database administrator earn more in Germany?
- A data engineer earns more, at about 180.000 € per year vs 139.000 € for a database administrator — roughly 29% (41.000 €) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Germany?
- A data engineer typically earns 115.200 €–259.200 €, while a database administrator earns 94.000 €–194.000 € per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in Germany?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about 15.000 € and a database administrator about 11.600 €.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Germany, a data engineer earns about 115.200 € while a database administrator earns about 94.000 € per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Germany, a data engineer earns about 259.200 € while a database administrator earns about 194.000 € per year.
- Are data engineer and database administrator similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.