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DBA Salary in the United States

How much does a DBA make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a DBA in the United States is $115,286 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

However, a DBA's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,411
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,326 to $127,914
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,347
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out DBA Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence DBA Salaries

A DBA's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects DBA Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a DBA's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $108,406
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $108,916
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,466
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $115,637
  • Expert (over 8 years): $117,040
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level DBA less than 1 year $108,406
Early Career Level DBA 1-2 years $108,916
Mid-Level Level DBA 2-4 years $111,466
Senior-Level Level DBA 5-8 years $115,637
Expert Level DBA over 8 years $117,040

How Do DBA Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract DBAs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $127,645.
  • California: $127,160.
  • Massachusetts: $125,466.

Top Paying Cities for DBA

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $145,410
  • San Francisco: $143,818
  • Oakland: $140,787

DBA Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For DBA roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, DBA positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view DBA as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a DBA

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $172,929 $83.0 50%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $126,815 $61.0 10%

How Education impacts a DBA's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many DBA professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a DBA with a Bachelor's is between $99,860 and $107,462.

DBA Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for DBA
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 3.2%
High School 3.2%
Associate's Degree 3.2%
Bachelor's Degree 58.1%
Master's Degree or MBA 35.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

DBA Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a DBA's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$104,326
Average $115,286/year
$127,914
$8,694
Average $9,607/month
$10,660
$2,006
Average $2,217/week
$2,460
$50
Average $55/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,914 $10,660 $2,460 $61
Average $115,286 $9,607 $2,217 $55
25th Percentile $104,326 $8,694 $2,006 $50

Most common benefits for DBA

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for DBA

Here are companies hiring for DBA and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next DBA Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current DBA job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • CloudHQ, LLC | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Commissioning Manager

    CloudHQ, LLC | Ashburn, VA

    Who We Are. Our purpose at CloudHQ is to provide flexible, efficient and resilient data center solutions to businesses of all sizes. Our growing organizati... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Just Construction Recruitment | Ashburn, VA

    Electrical Superintendent

    Just Construction Recruitment | Ashburn, VA

    About the Company. We are currently working with a market leader Electrical Contractor who focus in the mission critical space and are going through an exc... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Dulles Plumbing Group | Ashburn, VA

    Assistant Controller

    Dulles Plumbing Group | Ashburn, VA

    Dulles Plumbing Group, a VMG Company, is looking for an. Assistant Controller. to join our growing team. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Lead Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Career Group | Ashburn, VA

    Executive Personal Assistant

    Career Group | Ashburn, VA

    Executive / Personal Assistant. Part-Time. Ashburn/Arlington, VA. A senior executive based in the Ashburn/Arlington, VA area is seeking a part-time Executi... more

    3 Days Ago

  • SeaHill Consulting Group | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    SeaHill Consulting Group | Ashburn, VA

    Key Responsibilities. Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including intake meetings, sourcing, candidate screening, interview coordination, offer negoti... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about DBA

1. What industry pays the highest salary for DBA?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for DBA roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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