Database Administrators vs Graphic Designers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $74,680 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 121.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $103,030 for Graphic Designers.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
$37,600$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Graphic Designers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $37,600 | +$44,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $47,200 | +$60,700 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $61,300 | +$74,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $79,000 | +$90,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $103,030 | +$106,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $68,610 | +$74,010 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Graphic Designers
214,260
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Database Administrators or Graphic Designers?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $74,680 (121.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
How many Database Administrators and Graphic Designers jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators positions and 214,260 Graphic Designers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Graphic Designers to Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 while Graphic Designers earns $61,300. 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