Data Engineer vs Database Administrator salary
In New Zealand, a data engineer earns about 25% more than a database administrator — $137,031 vs $109,970 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is NZD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer$137,031/yr
- Monthly
- $11,400
- Hourly
- $66
- Range
- $87,688–$197,313
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Technology
Database Administrator$109,970/yr
- Monthly
- $9,155
- Hourly
- $53
- Range
- $74,331–$153,498
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | Database Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $87,688 | $74,331 |
| 25th | $112,389 | $92,179 |
| Median | $137,031 | $109,970 |
| 75th | $167,201 | $131,734 |
| Senior (90th) | $197,313 | $153,498 |
National New Zealand figures in NZD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data engineer or database administrator earn more in New Zealand?
- A data engineer earns more, at about $238,000 per year vs $191,000 for a database administrator — roughly 25% ($47,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in New Zealand?
- A data engineer typically earns $152,300–$342,700, while a database administrator earns $129,100–$266,600 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in New Zealand?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about $19,800 and a database administrator about $15,900.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in New Zealand, a data engineer earns about $152,300 while a database administrator earns about $129,100 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in New Zealand, a data engineer earns about $342,700 while a database administrator earns about $266,600 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.