Pay by Role
South Korea · Salary comparison

Database Administrator vs Software Engineer salary

In South Korea, a database administrator earns about 105% more than a software engineer — $117,456 vs $57,203 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is KRW). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Technology
Database Administrator
$117,456/yr
Monthly
$9,788
Hourly
$56
Range
$79,400–$163,968
10-yr outlook
+9%
Technology
Software Engineer
$57,203/yr
Monthly
$4,767
Hourly
$28
Range
$36,610–$82,372
10-yr outlook
+17%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileDatabase AdministratorSoftware Engineer
Entry (10th)$79,400$36,610
25th$98,428$46,906
Median$117,456$57,203
75th$140,712$69,787
Senior (90th)$163,968$82,372

National South Korea figures in KRW. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Database Administrator vs AI EngineerDatabase Administrator vs Backend DeveloperDatabase Administrator vs Cloud ArchitectDatabase Administrator vs Data AnalystDatabase Administrator vs Data EngineerDatabase Administrator vs Data Scientist

Frequently asked questions

Does a database administrator or software engineer earn more in South Korea?
A database administrator earns more, at about ₩176,340,000 per year vs ₩85,880,000 for a software engineer — roughly 105% (₩90,460,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in South Korea?
A database administrator typically earns ₩119,205,800–₩246,170,600, while a software engineer earns ₩54,963,200–₩123,667,200 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in South Korea?
On a monthly basis before tax, a database administrator averages about ₩14,695,000 and a software engineer about ₩7,156,700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in South Korea, a database administrator earns about ₩119,205,800 while a software engineer earns about ₩54,963,200 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in South Korea, a database administrator earns about ₩246,170,600 while a software engineer earns about ₩123,667,200 per year.
Are database administrator and software engineer 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.