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Job outlook for senior database developers in the United States
Senior database developer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior database developer job growth rate is 21% from 2018-2028.
About 284,100 new jobs for senior database developers are projected over the next decade.
Senior database developer salaries have increased 10% for senior database developers in the last 5 years.
There are over 44,865 senior database developers currently employed in the United States.
There are 87,912 active senior database developer job openings in the US.
The average senior database developer salary is $108,559.
Are senior database developer jobs in demand?
Senior database developer job and salary trends over time
Senior database developer jobs over time
Senior database developer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 44,865 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 33,154 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 13,333 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 30,566 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 29,337 | 0.01% |
Average senior database developer salary over time
Senior database developer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $108,559 | $52.19 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $104,982 | $50.47 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $102,605 | $49.33 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $100,793 | $48.46 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $99,100 | $47.64 | +1.9% |
Senior database developer jobs by state
Most common states for senior database developers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 430 | 62% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 213 | 20% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 364 | 19% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,006 | 18% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,449 | 17% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 128 | 17% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 97 | 17% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 336 | 16% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 101 | 16% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,009 | 15% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 865 | 15% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 465 | 15% |
| 13 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 451 | 15% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 129 | 15% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,450 | 14% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,060 | 14% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 865 | 14% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 572 | 14% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 147 | 14% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 180 | 13% |
Most common cities for senior database developers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beverly | 3 | 7% | $109,741 |
| 2 | Frankfort | 2 | 7% | $97,203 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 2 | 5% | $106,421 |
| 4 | Dover | 2 | 5% | $105,680 |
| 5 | Hartford | 2 | 2% | $104,607 |
| 6 | Lansing | 2 | 2% | $102,802 |
| 7 | Springfield | 2 | 2% | $96,905 |
| 8 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $95,426 |
| 9 | Des Moines | 2 | 1% | $86,244 |
| 10 | Little Rock | 2 | 1% | $95,773 |
| 11 | Saint Paul | 2 | 1% | $95,067 |
| 12 | Tallahassee | 2 | 1% | $102,331 |
| 13 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $104,778 |
| 14 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $109,876 |
| 15 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $98,188 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 2 | 0% | $89,678 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $107,309 |
| 18 | Sacramento | 2 | 0% | $136,694 |
Senior Database Developer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior database developer experts
Nova Southeastern University
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
Mount St. Joseph University
University of Richmond
Idaho State University
University of Tulsa
Keiser University Latin American Campus.
Florida Atlantic University
University of New Haven
Murray State University
University of South Alabama
Washington University in St. Louis
Montana State University
What will help Senior Database Developers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: As we look toward the future of careers in Computer Applications, several skills stand out for their growing importance. These skills revolve around specific technologies that are expected to continue to grow and evolve. Technologies related to Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Data Science are quickly evolving and being applied across the technology sector. Cloud Computing: Given the widespread adoption of Cloud services, Cloud computing expertise is indispensable. Understanding how to leverage platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud is crucial to developing scalable, efficient solutions that meet business needs. Artificial Intelligence: AI and Machine Learning are transforming the world. Skills in these areas to solve real-world problems will be even more critical in the future. Cybersecurity: Digital threats are becoming more sophisticated. Safeguarding data, networks, and systems will require encryption, intrusion detection, development, and regulation skills. Data Science: Skills in Data Science will be increasingly sought after as businesses embrace data-driven decision-making. Extracting meaningful insights from extensive datasets and effectively communicating these findings will be essential. Soft skills: Finally, soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication cannot be overlooked. Adapting, communicating, and leading will be essential for success.
Mr. Mark Pranger
Instructor, School of Creative and Information TechnologiesOklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
Mining And Petroleum Technologies/Technicians
What Senior Database Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Mark Pranger: The biggest advice here is to show the organization the long haul. It costs a lot of money to advertise, find, recruit, hire, and train employees in our field. The company wants to know their return on that investment will be higher. A large technical breadth versus a deep technical understanding is the balance you have to maintain. Many companies I deal with as an internship coordinator tell me that they can train the technical niche needs that they have but the student has to be able to show that they can learn and absorb that knowledge and put it to use. Going back to the portfolio, this gives someone looking at it insight into what extent you can learn, absorb, and produce. I personally am a true believer in the depth over breadth in the computer science programming field. While syntax changes from language to language, the concepts that we use to engineer our software remain the same. So Java does one activity different than C# or Ruby, that concept though will be important and the syntax can be picked up easier if you understand the concept. To me, a deeper understanding of one language and the ability to adapt quickly to another language is more important than having a little knowledge in a wide breadth of language but no depth. I have been in this field for 30 years now and probably know about half that number of languages that I have used over those 30 years. I didn't start with all those languages, but I did start with a very deep understanding of just one or two. I could spend my time quickly learning syntax to pick up a new language for a new position because I understood the concepts so well in my root language. Learn it deep, understand it deep and show you can transfer it across laterally. Put together that portfolio. The portfolio reinforces the narrative I discussed in the earlier question also.
What will help Senior Database Developers increase their earning potential?
Mr. Mark Pranger: My first piece of advice a student graduating is to not wait until the last minute to do any networking in their field. If your college/university offers career fairs, start attending those as soon as possible. Start putting your name and associated face out there so when HR sees the name on the resume, they already know the face that goes with it. Put in the shoe leather or other sole material in early and often as possible. My second piece of advice is to target your cover letter, resume, and subsequent contacts such as interviews to the individual companies. Show them that you have taken the time to get to know the company. You may find common ground or may find that you are not a good match. Your time as well as their time is valuable, invest in well into finding the match for you that you can work at and feel rewarded. Make sure to clean up those resumes and other written communications before you send them. One simple grammar or spelling mistake could remove you from consideration in their very competitive world. Practice interviewing if at all possible. Go to any mock interviews your institution offers or clubs offer. If there is not any, ask those in the industry or management positions that you might know to mock interview you for the practice. Show respect for their time and be serious about the mock interview. Show up in person dressed like you are doing a real interview. Your entire interaction with a company and their representatives is your chance to create the narrative they will remember. In that narrative, you take them on the journey of getting to know you, finding out you are a good match to the company, and a good match to the position to which you are applying. The outcome you want is that job offer. One might notice my advice is not technical but more in the way you are looking for a position. Once you get into the position, the actual question that was asked here, start by absorbing anything they are willing to throw at you. Look for opportunities to show the company what you can do and what they can expect from you. Be mindful of your plate size and don't take on too much too early. They will remember two major things about your early days: That you tried and how you handled success and failure. Continue your networking at the job. Though we are in a technical field, we will interact with others not in our field. Our written and verbal communication skills will be put to the test. Nothing kills a great presentation idea more than bad communication skills. Never assume you are the best. Always work on the premise that someone is better and strive to become better. The education has given you the technical side of the coin. But it takes the non-technical side such as communication skills to showcase to others and your company your technical prowess. If you have not already, put together a portfolio of your work. Show the employers what you have done in the field. This includes what you did in school as projects. Having interacted with many hiring managers through advisory committees, one thing that keeps coming up is the creation of a portfolio. Those are not just for the artist, they are for anyone to show what they can do. Don't give up. The pile of rejection letters may become larger before that right position and company comes your way. You do have to search for it but it is out there.
MARLA KRAMER
Assistant Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsWhat will help Senior Database Developers increase their earning potential?
MARLA KRAMER: It is unlikely that software development will be fully automated in the near future. Writing correct and efficient applications is a skill set that will only grow as we invent more ways to improve the quality of our lives. As more and more commerce and critical services migrate onto the internet, IS development will require a deeper knowledge of cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud computing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Information Security Analysis jobs are expected to grow by 32% over the next 10 years. The BLS estimates Software Developers, Quality Assurance and Testing will grow by 25% over the next decade.
Right now, however, software development is going through a lull because of competition from abroad. Being an expert in at least two popular programming languages, having a solid theoretical foundation, and being able to innovate is pivotal. Artificial Intelligence is being deployed to solve some problems now, thanks to the powerful computers we have today. Learning to effectively use AI frameworks as part of your application development will add a lot of value to your skillset.
Rebecca Allen
Mount St. Joseph University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Senior Database Developer?
Rebecca Allen: AI, for sure. I have heard it said that AI might not replace humans, rather humans who know how to use AI well may replace humans who don't.
Ahmed Temani
Senior InstructorUniversity of Richmond
Computer/Information Technology Administration And Management
What general advice would you give to a Senior Database Developer?
Ahmed Temani: A lot of the buzz is about using chatbots to improve coding efficiency. However, there is a great need for systems level thinking and design as software is deployed across cloud and edge computing devices. Gaining more experience in systems design provides you with additional skills that complement whatever AI-based technology gets deployed.
What Senior Database Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ahmed Temani: This one I'm not sure how to answer as it is too broad. I would say work hard and do quality work, but that seems obvious.
What Senior Database Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nikyra Capson: Don't be afraid of being rejected. If they see a job they want, apply. Even if they don't think they'll get it, still apply. The worst thing that could happen is being told no. Not applying is an automatic no, so they might as well try.
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.
Associate Professor of CIS, J. Bradley Oxley Professor of Computer Information SystemsUniversity of Tulsa
School of Accounting and CIS at the Collins College of Business
What skills will help Senior Database Developers earn the most?
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.: Each of the areas and skills mentioned above is important. The way to earn the most in any of the varied specialties in IT depends on having the right blend of technical and soft skills for a particular employer and, frankly, being the right person at the right time for the right employer. That sounds ambiguous, but the point is that those looking for IT work need to research which companies, locations, and specific jobs pay the most with open positions that match their skillset. And, if you find that dream job with the dream pay but you don't have the requisite skills, there are plenty of opportunities to show a potential employer that you are willing to learn the skills to succeed in that position.
Elio Rivas
Department Chair – Software Engineering & MIS Keiser University Latin American CampusKeiser University Latin American Campus.
Software Engineering and Management Information Systems (MIS) Department
What soft skills should all Senior Database Developers possess?
Elio Rivas: All the graduates should have customer services-oriented, teamwork, emotional intelligence, patient, persistency, audacity. Negotiation skills to get better paid.
Maria Larrondo Petrie Ph.D.
ProfessorFlorida Atlantic University
Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Database Developers?
Maria Larrondo Petrie Ph.D.: Students graduating during the pandemic are missing career fair and career service events that the universities and professional association offer, which are very important to get an internship and an entry level position. So their entry-level position may be not in their major and not at the salary and responsibilities that they had hoped. This impacts subsequent offers.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Database Developers?
Christopher Martinez Ph.D.: Courses that have a heavy emphasis on hands-on projects can have a massive impact on your job prospects. In the technology field, you want to make sure your resume has many tools/skills that the industry uses, from hardware, test equipment, software tools, and programming languages. If you can take a course that will allow you to learn what industry uses while teaching you theory, you should run to take the course.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Database Developers?
Christopher Martinez Ph.D.: The best job you can have out of college is a job you have passion for and will set you up to advance your career. If you have always wanted to work in aerospace, then you should seek out that field from the start. I hate to see students settle for a job because of pay or because they feel they can move to their dream field later.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Database Developer job market given the pandemic?
Christopher Martinez Ph.D.: I always tell students to practice for an interview by thinking about how they will answer behavior questions such as how to do your work on a team, how you lead a team, how you learn from a failure, etc. This year I would add a new question to this list, and that is how you work remotely. Students should consider how they work with classmates to find a remote work style that works for them. They should explore how to work with Slack or Microsoft Teams to communicate and organize their team. I think we will see that remote work is a trend that will remain with us for the foreseeable future so students should work to become more comfortable with this new work style.
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer ScienceMurray State University
Computer Science and Information Systems
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Database Developers?
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.: A bachelor's degree in computer science is extremely valuable. It has been and continues to be one of the most valuable college degrees a student can pursue. I really think all areas of computing are in demand, but web and mobile computing might be one of the strongest. Some employers do like to see extra certifications in addition to the bachelor's degree. There are literally hundreds of certifications available in the computing industry. They all vary in the required amount of time, effort, and money. I think anything that can set a candidate apart from other candidates is valuable, and that includes any certification. I would not recommend investing thousands of dollars into additional certifications after completing a bachelor's degree, but I don't think it's a bad idea for students to pursue one of the free or lower-cost certifications that are available - especially those students who might not have strong internship experience, extracurricular activities, projects, etc. to put on their resumes. I think anything DevOps related or cloud-based like Amazon's AWS or Microsoft's Azure are especially valuable right now.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Database Developers?
Bob Sweeney Ph.D.: I don't think so but I can't predict the future. The job market in this area seems to be solidifying and there are numerous local, regional, and national employers participating in our University's career fair this semester.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Database Developer?
Dr. Tao Ju: They are not in this alone. The opportunities are out there, but it is up to them to be proactive and take ownership of their career. They should become familiar with and use all of the resources available to them-alumni, faculty and career advisors, job search sites, mentoring programs, career fairs, professional associations, and networking events. Take advantage of their existing network and seek out ways to make further connections. Keep an eye on trends, follow news, and research companies. Dream big but be flexible. In this time of constant transition and change, graduates who can shift their plans to the conditions of the job market will have less stress and more success. Talk with companies they've never heard of and explore careers they've never considered. They might be surprised at what they find and where it leads them. Lastly, remain confident and positive. They've worked hard to get to this point and they can be rest assured that their choice to pursue engineering will pay off in the short and long run.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Database Developer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Brock LaMeres Ph.D.: Businesses that do primarily computer-based work have not been impacted by COVID as much as trade-based businesses. They have figured out how to continue operations with the majority of their employees working from home. I feel like the types of jobs that people will hire into will have a significant "work-at-home" component. There will also be a surge in businesses trying to provide the resources for work-at-home employees.