Database Administrator vs Site Reliability Engineer salary
In United States, a site reliability engineer earns about 49% more than a database administrator — $174,000 vs $117,000 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Technology
Database Administrator$117,000/yr
- Monthly
- $9,800
- Hourly
- $56
- Range
- $79,100–$163,300
- 10-yr outlook
- +9%
Pays more
Technology
Site Reliability Engineer$174,000/yr
- Monthly
- $14,500
- Hourly
- $84
- Range
- $108,200–$254,400
- 10-yr outlook
- +22%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Database Administrator | Site Reliability Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $79,100 | $108,200 |
| 25th | $98,000 | $141,100 |
| Median | $117,000 | $174,000 |
| 75th | $140,200 | $214,200 |
| Senior (90th) | $163,300 | $254,400 |
National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does a database administrator or site reliability engineer earn more in United States?
- A site reliability engineer earns more, at about $174,000 per year vs $117,000 for a database administrator — roughly 49% ($57,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
- A database administrator typically earns $79,100–$163,300, while a site reliability engineer earns $108,200–$254,400 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a database administrator averages about $9,800 and a site reliability engineer about $14,500.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United States, a database administrator earns about $79,100 while a site reliability engineer earns about $108,200 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United States, a database administrator earns about $163,300 while a site reliability engineer earns about $254,400 per year.
- Are database administrator and site reliability 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.