Data Engineer vs Database Administrator salary
In United Arab Emirates, a data engineer earns about 28% more than a database administrator — $132,335 vs $103,472 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AED). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Data Engineer$132,335/yr
- Monthly
- $11,028
- Hourly
- $64
- Range
- $84,683–$190,551
- 10-yr outlook
- +30%
Technology
Database Administrator$103,472/yr
- Monthly
- $8,632
- Hourly
- $50
- Range
- $69,952–$144,452
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Data Engineer | Database Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $84,683 | $69,952 |
| 25th | $108,509 | $86,698 |
| Median | $132,335 | $103,472 |
| 75th | $161,443 | $123,948 |
| Senior (90th) | $190,551 | $144,452 |
National United Arab Emirates figures in AED. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a data engineer or database administrator earn more in United Arab Emirates?
- A data engineer earns more, at about AED 486,000 per year vs AED 380,000 for a database administrator — roughly 28% (AED 106,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United Arab Emirates?
- A data engineer typically earns AED 311,000–AED 699,800, while a database administrator earns AED 256,900–AED 530,500 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United Arab Emirates?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a data engineer averages about AED 40,500 and a database administrator about AED 31,700.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a data engineer earns about AED 311,000 while a database administrator earns about AED 256,900 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a data engineer earns about AED 699,800 while a database administrator earns about AED 530,500 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.