Database Administrator Salary in San Francisco, California

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$195,471/ year

Median Database Administrator in San Francisco, CA

$118,326
10th
$144,300
25th
$195,471
Median
$255,300
75th
$311,466
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$195,471
Total compensation (est.)
$224,792
Bonus range
$3,900 – $16,560
Mean salary
$207,199

How This Compares

San Francisco, CA median
$195,471
California median
$107,773+81.4%
National median
$105,660+85.0%

Cost of living in San Francisco is 85% above the national average. Salary of $195,471 here is equivalent to $105,660 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$140,739-28.0%
3-5 years
$177,879-9.0%
6-10 years
$218,928+12.0%
10+ years
$269,750+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$172,014-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$195,471
Enterprise (5,000+)
$230,656+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$195K
$30K$500K

Database Administrator Salaries in Nearby Cities

Los Angeles, CA$159,547/yr
San Diego, CA$152,150/yr
San Jose, CA$188,075/yr
Fresno, CA$105,660/yr
Sacramento, CA$105,660/yr

Related Jobs in San Francisco

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$94/hr
Monthly gross$16,289/mo
25th percentile$144,300/yr
75th percentile$255,300/yr

Find Database Administrator jobs in San Francisco

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

California Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.5%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Database Administrator Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Database Administrator salary in San Francisco?

The median Database Administrator salary in San Francisco is $195,471 per year, with a range from $144,300 at the 25th percentile to $255,300 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Database Administrator pay in San Francisco compare to the national average?

Database Administrator salaries in San Francisco are 85% above the national median of $105,660. After adjusting for San Francisco's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $105,660 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Database Administrator salaries in San Francisco?

In San Francisco, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Database Administrator roles start around $118,326, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $311,466 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is San Francisco a good place for Database Administrator jobs?

San Francisco offers a Database Administrator median of $195,471, which is 85% above the US median of $105,660. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — San Francisco is 85% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Database Administrator salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Database Administrator in San Francisco is $255,300, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.