US
Waco, TX
Texas salary market
$115K
Avg / Year
+10% vs U.S.
vs National
40
Employment
$9.6K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Database Administrator Salary in Waco, TX (2026)

The Database Administrator salary in Waco, TX for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Waco, TX market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Waco, TX city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$115K
per year
Entry Level
$74.8K
starting range
Senior Level
$151K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$147K
observed remote data
Monthly
$9.6K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$46
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Database Administrator Salary Overview in Waco, TX

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Database Administrator pay in Waco, TX at about $114,623 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $62,330.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $139,290.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Waco, TX metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Database Administrator salaries in Waco, TX, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Waco, TX vs. U.S. National Average

Waco, TX pays +10% vs u.s. for Database Administrator roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$105K
all U.S. markets combined
+10%
Waco, TX Premium
Waco, TX City Average
$115K
Database Administrator
MarketProjected Salaryvs Waco, TXMarket Maturity
Waco, TX (this guide)$114,623BaselineLocal market
United States$104,620-9% vs U.S.National baseline
Dallas, TX$125,010+9% vs U.S.Comparable city
Austin, TX$114,050Near nationalComparable city
Houston, TX$111,390-3% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Waco, TX pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Database Administrator Salary by Experience Level in Waco, TX

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Waco, TX, this breakdown shows how aDatabase Administrator can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$93.1K
$55/hr median equivalent
$74.8K - $115K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$115K
$55/hr median equivalent
$93.1K - $151K
Senior
6-10 years
$151K
$55/hr median equivalent
$115K - $167K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$167K
$55/hr median equivalent
$151K - $204K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Database Administrator0-2 years$93,148.0$74,819.0 - $114,623-11% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Database Administrator3-5 years$114,623$93,148.0 - $150,766+10% vs U.S.
Senior Database Administrator6-10 years$150,766$114,623 - $167,199+44% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Database Administrator10+ years$167,199$150,766 - $203,983+60% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Waco, TX

Nearby metro areas help show how Database Administrator pay changes around Waco, TX. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Waco, TX
$115K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Waco, TX metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Dallas, TX
$125K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Database Administrator salaries around Waco, TX.
+9% vs U.S.
#3
Austin, TX
$114K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Database Administrator salaries around Waco, TX.
Near national
#4
Houston, TX
$111K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Database Administrator salaries around Waco, TX.
-3% vs U.S.
#5
San Antonio, TX
$99.8K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Database Administrator salaries around Waco, TX.
-13% vs U.S.

Database Administrator Salary by Industry in Waco, TX

Industry premiums in Waco, TX usually come from employers that place the Database Administrator role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Utilities$124,500$84,820.0 - $150,950Stronger salary
Finance and Insurance$118,180$62,200.0 - $167,680Stronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$117,740$61,660.0 - $162,180Stronger salary
Information$115,940$44,990.0 - $167,290Competitive
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services$109,930$51,530.0 - $164,520Competitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$109,200$63,500.0 - $166,880Competitive
Wholesale Trade$106,350$60,280.0 - $164,570Competitive
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$100,570$62,800.0 - $144,580Competitive

Database Administrator Salary by Skill Specialization in Waco, TX

Skills like SQL can make a Database Administrator easier to price at the high end of the Waco, TX market, especially when the skill is tied to complex systems, measurable business value, or scarce local supply.

Common tool stackO*NET maps Database Administrator work to tools such as Amazon DynamoDB, Apache Hive, Django, and Apache Kafka.
SQL
$140K
C
$138K
Microsoft SQL Server
$140K
Python
$153K
Bash/Shell (all shells)
$140K
JavaScript
$90.0K
PowerShell
$140K
HTML/CSS
$86.0K
The Database Administrator skill stack in Waco, TXThe highest-value skills are the ones employers can connect to business-critical work, scarce tools, and harder-to-fill responsibilities in the local labor market.

Entry-Level Database Administrator Salary in Waco, TX

Entry-level Database Administrator jobs in Waco, TX are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Database Administrator salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Database Administrator roles in Waco, TX is about $93,148.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Database Administrator Pay in Waco, TX

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Database Administrator candidates in Waco, TX. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$147,000LeadNational hiring poolsHigh

Cost of Living vs Salary in Waco, TX

A salary in Waco, TX should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.5K
$2.1K
$2.7K
Transport / commute
$334.3
$382.1
$429.8
Food and groceries
$716.4
$764.2
$859.7
Utilities and internet
$334.3
$382.1
$429.8
Estimated remainder
$3.2K
$5.0K
$6.1K
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Top Employers Hiring Database Administrators in Waco, TX

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Database Administrator pay tends to be strongest in Waco, TX, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Utilities employers
$125K
Industry benchmark for Database Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Finance and Insurance employers
$118K
Industry benchmark for Database Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$118K
Industry benchmark for Database Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Information employers
$116K
Industry benchmark for Database Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services employers
$110K
Industry benchmark for Database Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$109K
Industry benchmark for Database Administrator roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Waco, TX Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherWaco, TX is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Database Administrator work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Waco, TX
This guide
$115K
Baseline
Dallas, TX
Nearby U.S. market
$125K
+9% vs U.S.
Austin, TX
Nearby U.S. market
$114K
Near national
Houston, TX
Nearby U.S. market
$111K
-3% vs U.S.
San Antonio, TX
Nearby U.S. market
$99.8K
-13% vs U.S.
College Station, TX
Nearby U.S. market
$96.6K
-16% vs U.S.
Killeen, TX
Nearby U.S. market
$90.2K
-21% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Waco, TX

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$60.7K - $81.6K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$75.3K - $99.4K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$94.2K - $117K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$113K - $147K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$134K - $170K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$157K - $215K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by -0.7% from 2024 to 2034.
Little or no changeAnnual openings: 3.8 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment78k → 77.5k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor40 jobs with a median of $114,623

Factors Affecting Database Administrator Salary in Waco, TX

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Database Administrator Salary in Waco, TX

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Database Administrator Salary in Waco, TX: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Database Administrator" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Database Administrator in Waco, TXs salary?
The latest national baseline for Database Administrators is about $104,600 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Database Administrator in Waco, TXs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Database Administrators are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $56,800 per year nationally.
How much can senior Database Administrator in Waco, TXs professionals earn?
Senior Database Administrators estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $132,900 per year nationally.
Does location affect Database Administrator in Waco, TXs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Database Administrator in Waco, TXs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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