Data Engineer vs Database Administrator salary
In Malaysia, a data engineer earns about 22% more than a database administrator — $85,261 vs $69,782 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is MYR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer$85,261/yr
- Monthly
- $7,101
- Hourly
- $41
- Range
- $54,572–$122,781
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Technology
Database Administrator$69,782/yr
- Monthly
- $5,823
- Hourly
- $34
- Range
- $47,176–$97,424
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | Database Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $54,572 | $47,176 |
| 25th | $69,904 | $58,479 |
| Median | $85,261 | $69,782 |
| 75th | $104,009 | $83,590 |
| Senior (90th) | $122,781 | $97,424 |
National Malaysia figures in MYR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data engineer or database administrator earn more in Malaysia?
- A data engineer earns more, at about RM 347,000 per year vs RM 284,000 for a database administrator — roughly 22% (RM 63,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Malaysia?
- A data engineer typically earns RM 222,100–RM 499,700, while a database administrator earns RM 192,000–RM 396,500 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in Malaysia?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about RM 28,900 and a database administrator about RM 23,700.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Malaysia, a data engineer earns about RM 222,100 while a database administrator earns about RM 192,000 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Malaysia, a data engineer earns about RM 499,700 while a database administrator earns about RM 396,500 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.