Database Administrators vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $73,010 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 115.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $40,670 | +$40,960 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $48,860 | +$59,040 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $62,970 | +$73,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $81,900 | +$87,580 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $105,150 | +$104,840 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $69,940 | +$72,680 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Database Administrators or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $73,010 (115.9% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Database Administrators and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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