Data Scientists 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 $23,390 more per year than Data Scientists professionals — that's 20.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $209,990 for Database Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
$63,650$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Database Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $81,630 | $-17,980 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $107,900 | $-25,270 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $135,980 | $-23,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $169,480 | $-13,670 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $209,990 | $-15,580 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $142,620 | $-18,030 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
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: Data Scientists or Database Administrators?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $23,390 (20.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Database Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 64,770 Database Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Database Administrators to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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