Compliance Officers 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 $57,560 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 73.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $209,990 for Database Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
$46,230$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Database Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $81,630 | $-35,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $107,900 | $-48,770 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $135,980 | $-57,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $169,480 | $-64,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $209,990 | $-79,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $142,620 | $-57,640 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $96,280 |
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: Compliance Officers or Database Administrators?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $57,560 (73.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Compliance Officers?
Compliance Officers salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $130,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,420.
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 Compliance Officers and Database Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 64,770 Database Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Database Administrators to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 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