How much does a database architect make?
The median database architect in the United States earns $139,500 per year, about $67.07 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all database architects earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 15-1243.
Database architect salary range
Pay for database architects spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $86,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $204,000. The average (mean) wage of $144,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $86,240 | $41.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $109,370 | $52.58 | |
| Median (50th) | $139,500 | $67.07 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $169,290 | $81.39 | |
| 90th percentile | $204,000 | $98.08 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for database architects (SOC 15-1243), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Database architect salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Database architects earn the most in California at $170,160 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $98,420. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $170,160 | 6,210 |
| Massachusetts | $161,650 | 2,690 |
| Virginia | $160,360 | 5,260 |
| Arizona | $156,100 | 1,200 |
| Colorado | $154,560 | 1,950 |
| Texas | $151,370 | 8,270 |
| District of Columbia | $150,010 | 790 |
| Delaware | $147,800 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $144,460 | 1,140 |
| Illinois | $142,500 | 1,590 |
| New York | $141,350 | 3,850 |
| Rhode Island | $140,320 | 160 |
| Nevada | $140,200 | 420 |
| New Hampshire | $139,990 | 120 |
| Georgia | $139,500 | 2,590 |
| Florida | $138,320 | 1,810 |
| Oregon | $138,250 | 730 |
| Wisconsin | $137,810 | 520 |
| South Dakota | $136,540 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $134,630 | 4,070 |
| Nebraska | $134,320 | 610 |
| Hawaii | $134,040 | 60 |
| Maine | $133,120 | 190 |
| Minnesota | $133,050 | 1,240 |
| Maryland | $132,940 | 1,370 |
| Ohio | $132,910 | 1,820 |
| Indiana | $132,830 | 500 |
| Utah | $131,740 | 630 |
| Michigan | $131,000 | 1,390 |
| South Carolina | $130,000 | 1,160 |
| Kansas | $129,990 | 360 |
| Washington | $128,760 | 2,990 |
| Kentucky | $125,400 | 350 |
| Iowa | $124,040 | 240 |
| Idaho | $121,380 | 260 |
| New Jersey | $120,790 | 3,090 |
| New Mexico | $117,950 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $115,170 | 650 |
| Alaska | $112,500 | 70 |
| Missouri | $110,570 | 1,410 |
| Oklahoma | $110,110 | 860 |
| Montana | $109,990 | N/A |
| North Dakota | $109,430 | 60 |
| Alabama | $105,450 | 270 |
| Arkansas | $104,070 | 360 |
| Mississippi | $98,420 | 100 |
State median wages for database architects (SOC 15-1243), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for database architects
The BLS projects employment of database architects to grow 9.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 69,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 76,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,900 openings a year for database architects. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a database architect
The typical entry-level education for database architects is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a database architect earns
Seniority, employer, location, and specialization matter most. Workers at large tech firms and in expensive metros like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York cluster near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $170,160) and the lowest (Mississippi, $98,420) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 67,140 people work as database architects in the United States. At $139,500 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Database architect salary FAQ
How much does a database architect make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a database architect is $67.07. The middle half of database architects earn between $52.58 and $81.39 per hour.
What is the highest database architect salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of database architects earn more than $204,000 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a database architect make a year?
The median annual salary for a database architect is $139,500. The average (mean) wage of $144,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a database architect a well paid job?
At $139,500 a year, a database architect earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 67,140 people work as database architects in the United States.
Which state pays database architects the most?
California has the highest median salary for database architects at $170,160 a year. Massachusetts ($161,650) and Virginia ($160,360) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a database architect a good career?
Employment of database architects is projected to grow 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a database architect?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for database architects as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Technology & IT salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.