Computer User Support Specialists 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 $75,640 more per year than Computer User Support Specialists professionals — that's 125.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer User Support Specialists earns $98,010 compared to $209,990 for Database Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer User Support Specialists$38,780 – $98,010
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
$38,780$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer User Support Specialists | Database Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,780 | $81,630 | $-42,850 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,580 | $107,900 | $-60,320 |
| Median (50th) | $60,340 | $135,980 | $-75,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,010 | $169,480 | $-92,470 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,010 | $209,990 | $-111,980 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,990 | $142,620 | $-77,630 |
Employment Numbers
Computer User Support Specialists
697,210
employed nationwide
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer User Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,930 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $77,750 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,250 |
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 User Support Specialists or Database Administrators?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $75,640 (125.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer User Support Specialists salaries range from $38,780 (10th percentile) to $98,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,340.
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 User Support Specialists and Database Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,210 Computer User Support Specialists positions and 64,770 Database Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Database Administrators to Computer User Support Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer User Support Specialists has a median salary of $60,340 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