Accountants and Auditors vs Database Administrators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $54,300 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 66.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $209,990 for Database Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
$52,780$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Database Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $81,630 | $-28,850 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $107,900 | $-43,240 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $135,980 | $-54,300 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $169,480 | $-63,030 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $209,990 | $-68,570 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $142,620 | $-49,100 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Database Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $188,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $170,700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $166,210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $162,310 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $155,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Database Administrators?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $54,300 (66.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Database Administrators?
Database Administrators salaries range from $81,630 (10th percentile) to $209,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $135,980.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Database Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 64,770 Database Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Database Administrators to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Database Administrators earns $135,980. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS