How to hire a senior database administrator

How to hire a senior database administrator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior database administrator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior database administrator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior database administrator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a senior database administrator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your senior database administrator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a senior database administrator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A senior database administrator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior database administrators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of senior database administrators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Senior Database Administrator	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Database Administrator	Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They make sure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access.	$42-71
   Tableau Developer	A tableau developer is responsible for creating data visualization solutions to enhance business processes. You will perform varied duties and responsibilities that may include preparing Tableau dashboard reports, creating business intelligence reports, and working closely with developers... Show more	$34-54
   SQL Developer	An SQL developer is responsible for designing database systems for storing and accessing business information. SQL developers incorporate a high-level of data management and technical knowledge to ensure the safety and security of the systems, preventing unauthorized access that may put the company's reputation in jeopardy... Show more	$33-53

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Linux
   • DBA
   • Troubleshoot
   • Database Administration
   • Microsoft SQL Server
   • Disaster Recovery
   • Database Design
   • PL/SQL
   • Database Systems
   • ETL
   • Database Performance
   • Capacity Planning
   • Unix
   • Ssis

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and monitor disk space, database space, CPU, memory and cache, user connections.
   • Conduct Linux administration activities and manage test databases.
   • Lead multiple infrastructure planning and implementation including instance strategy, technical platform selection, architecture design, backup and recovery strategy.
   • Install and configure databases on windows and Unix servers.
   • Install, design production databases in RHEL 6.0 and applying CPU patches.
   • Promote to lead a team of Dba s with responsibilities to hire and mentor junior db professionals.

   More senior database administrator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior database administrator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A senior database administrator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, senior database administrators' average salary in indiana is 35% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior database administrators earn 41% less than senior-level senior database administrators.
   • Certifications. A senior database administrator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a senior database administrator's salary.

   Average senior database administrator salary

   $114,969yearly

   $55.27 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior database administrator salary

   $88,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average senior database administrator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$149,205	$72
   2	Washington	$141,179	$68
   3	New York	$119,865	$58
   4	Arizona	$118,288	$57
   5	Massachusetts	$116,934	$56
   6	Texas	$111,799	$54
   7	Virginia	$111,736	$54
   8	District of Columbia	$111,294	$54
   9	Utah	$111,239	$53
   10	New Jersey	$109,976	$53
   11	Ohio	$106,525	$51
   12	Illinois	$104,765	$50
   13	Florida	$104,678	$50
   14	Maryland	$104,092	$50
   15	North Carolina	$103,779	$50
   16	Georgia	$103,384	$50
   17	Nebraska	$102,026	$49
   18	Colorado	$100,731	$48
   19	Michigan	$99,732	$48
   20	Missouri	$99,284	$48

   Average senior database administrator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Credit Karma	$158,574	$76.24
   2	Grubhub	$151,877	$73.02	1
   3	Match Group	$150,350	$72.28
   4	LinkedIn	$149,231	$71.75	3
   5	ICE Mortgage Technology	$148,418	$71.35
   6	Zocdoc	$146,903	$70.63
   7	Amazon	$146,349	$70.36	69
   8	F5	$146,253	$70.31
   9	Intuitive Surgical	$145,476	$69.94
   10	Pacific Investment Management Company LLC	$145,473	$69.94	1
   11	Egnyte	$145,183	$69.80	1
   12	Sony Interactive Entertainment America	$143,724	$69.10
   13	Castlight Health	$143,644	$69.06
   14	PlayStation	$142,854	$68.68	1
   15	Walmart	$142,806	$68.66
   16	LendingClub	$141,943	$68.24	2
   17	RealNetworks	$141,484	$68.02
   18	Bridgewater Associates	$141,418	$67.99
   19	The New York Times Company	$141,298	$67.93
   20	Bloomberg	$141,003	$67.79	3

4. Writing a senior database administrator job description

   A senior database administrator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a senior database administrator job description:

   Senior database administrator job description example

   Job Title
   Sr. Mainframe DB2 DBA
   
   Job Purpose
   What does a great Sr. Mainframe DB2 DBA do?
   The Sr. Mainframe DB2 DBA provides database administration and system support for existing production database environments to include performance of the following related tasks: query writing, configuration, database creation, security, system monitoring and tuning, disaster recovery planning, implementation and backup and recovery. The primary purpose of the Sr Database Administrator is to provide senior-level IBM DB2 technical support (administration, performance, design, and maintenance) for all Fiserv IBM mainframe-based DB2 applications. This support includes working with many different application teams and other Fiserv database administrators.
   As a Sr. Mainframe DB2 DBA, you can look forward to:
   Collaborating with Development, Operations, and other technical teams on new and existing DB2 project implementations Maintaining DB2 system options and SQL for optimum performance and availability Assisting with the development and maintenance of DB2 standards and roadmaps Providing on-call support Leading efforts to guide team to best practices for database usage, high availability and business continuity.Creating and supporting databases across internal and end-user applications.Maintaining databases, including all production, backup and development systems Administering database security across all database environments as appropriate Providing guidance to other database administrators to expand the role and capabilities of the database environment.Maintaining a state-of-the-art knowledge of existing standard methodologies in database administration.Mentoring Jr. level DBA'sSupporting application deployment and provisioning of database systems during business and non-operating hours Crafting and developing database processes (i.e., stored procedures, configuration files, tables, views, and functions)
   Minimum Requirements:
   At least 5 years hands-on experience supporting DB2 in large IBM z/OS Mainframe environment Associates degree in Computer Science/Management or related field Knowledge of BMC or/and CA database tools
   
   Preferred Skills, Experience, and Education:
   Bachelors or Master's in Computer Science or related field
   
   Learn more about Fiserv: Life moves fast. And as it does, we know most people aren't thinking about “financial services” But we are. We help people and businesses move money and information every minute of every day. Our solutions connect financial institutions, corporations, merchants and consumers to one another, millions of times a day, behind the scenes, reliably and securely. We're Fiserv, a global leader in Fintech and payments enabling innovative financial services experiences that are in step with the way people live and work today. The company's approximately 44,000 associates proudly serve clients in more than 100 countries, so their customers, members and consumers can move money when and where they need it, at the point of thought. Our Aspiration is to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a FORTUNE™ 500 company and one of FORTUNE Magazine World's Most Admired Companies for the sixth consecutive year, we are committed to excellence and purposeful innovation. Explore the possibilities of a career with Fiserv and Find Your Forward with us.
   We welcome and encourage diversity in our workforce. Fiserv is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet
   
   This role is not eligible to be performed in Colorado.
   
   Please note that salary ranges provided for this role on external job boards are salary estimates made by outside parties and may not be accurate.
   
   Thank you for considering employment with Fiserv. Please:
   
   Apply using your legal name Complete the step-by-step profile and attach your resume (either is acceptable, both are preferable).
   
   Fiserv is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and it is the Company's policy to make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability (as long as the individual is able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation), and any other characteristic protected by Law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find senior database administrators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior database administrator job on Zippia to find and recruit senior database administrator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with senior database administrator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   If your interviews with senior database administrator applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior database administrator

   Once you've selected the best senior database administrator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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