Computer Network Architects 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 $5,590 more per year than Computer Network Architects professionals — that's 4.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Network Architects earns $198,030 compared to $209,990 for Database Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Network Architects$79,520 – $198,030
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
$79,520$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Network Architects | Database Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,520 | $81,630 | $-2,110 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,120 | $107,900 | $-5,780 |
| Median (50th) | $130,390 | $135,980 | $-5,590 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,440 | $169,480 | $-5,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,030 | $209,990 | $-11,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $135,890 | $142,620 | $-6,730 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Network Architects
177,010
employed nationwide
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Network Architects
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $174,120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $166,880 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $163,570 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $155,480 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $153,820 |
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: Computer Network Architects or Database Administrators?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,590 (4.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Network Architects?
Computer Network Architects salaries range from $79,520 (10th percentile) to $198,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $130,390.
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 Computer Network Architects and Database Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 177,010 Computer Network Architects positions and 64,770 Database Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Database Administrators to Computer Network Architects?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Network Architects has a median salary of $130,390 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