How much does a DBA make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a DBA in the United States is $115,283 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): $139,471
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,344 to $127,944
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,385

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): $108,410
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $108,918
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,459
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $115,635
  • Expert (over 8 years): $117,041
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level DBA less than 1 year $108,410
Early Career Level DBA 1-2 years $108,918
Mid-Level Level DBA 2-4 years $111,459
Senior-Level Level DBA 5-8 years $115,635
Expert Level DBA over 8 years $117,041

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: $145,406
  • San Francisco: $143,814
  • Oakland: $140,784

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 $172,925 $83.0 50%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $126,811 $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%

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 August 01, 2026
$104,344
Average $115,283/year
$127,944
$8,695
Average $9,607/month
$10,662
$2,007
Average $2,217/week
$2,460
$50
Average $55/hour
$62
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,944 $10,662 $2,460 $62
Average $115,283 $9,607 $2,217 $55
25th Percentile $104,344 $8,695 $2,007 $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.

  • BOB Caldwell Automotive, Inc. DBA BOB Caldwell Chrysler Jeep | Columbus, OH

    BOB Caldwell Automotive, Inc. DBA BOB Caldwell Chrysler Jeep | Columbus, OH

    Experienced Chrysler Counterperson. Bob Caldwell Automotive is looking to add a qualified Automotive Parts Counter Person to our team. We offer a team envi... more

    7 Days Ago

  • BOB Caldwell Automotive, Inc. DBA BOB Caldwell Chrysler Jeep | Columbus, OH

    BOB Caldwell Automotive, Inc. DBA BOB Caldwell Chrysler Jeep | Columbus, OH

    Job Opportunity. Here to prove we are the best option for you to thrive. We have a service director with 40 years in automotive background. He has trained ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    RN

    Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Travel Rn Stepdown (Pcu) Shift. Night shift - 12 hours. Start date: 09/21/2026. End date: 12/21/2026. Duration: 13 weeks. City: Columbus. State: OH more

    17 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    20 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    25 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    27 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.)

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