How to hire a senior sql/report developer

How to hire a senior sql/report developer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior sql/report developer 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 sql/report developer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior sql/report developer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a senior sql/report developer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a senior sql/report developer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or 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 sql/report developer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior sql/report developers 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.

   This list presents senior sql/report developer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Senior Sql/Report Developer	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Sql/Report Developer	Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device... Show more	$36-58
   Database Developer	A database developer specializes in designing and creating storage programs according to a client's needs. Their responsibilities revolve around meeting with clients to discuss their preferences and requirements, coordinating with other teams, identifying errors or inconsistencies by conducting regular maintenance tests, and monitoring its performance to ensure smooth workflow... Show more	$33-56
   ETL Developer	An ETL developer is responsible for managing data storage systems to secure the organization's data and files for daily operations efficiency. ETL developers perform multiple system testing to ensure the system's accuracy, perform coding adjustments, and troubleshoot for any defects and inconsistencies... Show more	$34-56

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Power Bi
   • ETL
   • SSRS
   • Ssis Packages
   • T-SQL
   • Database Objects
   • SQL Server Analysis
   • PL/SQL
   • Data Warehouse
   • BI
   • Microsoft SQL Server
   • TFS
   • Java
   • Data Analysis

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage dashboard and request security/privileges in the analytics catalog manager.
   • Create SSIS packages to process XML data; design and programme auditing processes for enterprise databases.
   • Develop various T-SQL store procedures, triggers, views, and adding/changing tables for data extraction, data load and transformations.
   • Work extensively with implementing new requirements to existing data warehouse ETL work flows.
   • Involve in SDLC including designing, coding and testing.
   • Work on Java code changes to implement the same in oracle.

   More senior sql/report developer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior sql/report developer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A senior sql/report developer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a senior sql/report developer in Alabama may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level senior sql/report developer usually earns less than a senior-level senior sql/report developer. Additionally, a senior sql/report developer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average senior sql/report developer salary

   $96,136yearly

   $46.22 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior sql/report developer salary

   $75,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average senior sql/report developer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$125,602	$60
   2	New Jersey	$103,963	$50
   3	Delaware	$103,725	$50
   4	New York	$102,137	$49
   5	Texas	$99,513	$48
   6	Massachusetts	$97,715	$47
   7	Pennsylvania	$96,022	$46
   8	Michigan	$95,608	$46
   9	Arizona	$95,093	$46
   10	Georgia	$94,326	$45
   11	Florida	$92,954	$45
   12	Maryland	$92,952	$45
   13	Missouri	$92,811	$45
   14	North Carolina	$90,272	$43
   15	Illinois	$89,131	$43
   16	District of Columbia	$87,161	$42
   17	South Carolina	$86,161	$41
   18	Wisconsin	$84,654	$41
   19	Tennessee	$84,463	$41
   20	Louisiana	$83,309	$40

   Average senior sql/report developer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Sally Beauty Holdings	$113,788	$54.71
   2	Trinity Health	$109,861	$52.82	1
   3	Populus Group	$108,581	$52.20
   4	CyberCoders	$108,278	$52.06
   5	Blue Shield of California	$108,221	$52.03	6
   6	Covenant	$106,297	$51.10
   7	APS Healthcare Bethesda, Inc.	$106,113	$51.02
   8	Randstad North America, Inc.	$105,970	$50.95	57
   9	Nationstar Mortgage	$105,827	$50.88
   10	AmeriHealth Caritas	$105,716	$50.83	4
   11	Gallagher	$104,756	$50.36
   12	Bankrate	$102,848	$49.45
   13	StoneX Group	$102,797	$49.42	2
   14	Verisk Analytics	$102,219	$49.14	2
   15	Sv	$101,303	$48.70	67
   16	Calpine	$101,246	$48.68
   17	Iris Software	$100,674	$48.40
   18	Motion Recruitment	$100,487	$48.31	16
   19	Coldwater Creek	$100,466	$48.30
   20	Harland Clarke	$100,381	$48.26

4. Writing a senior sql/report developer job description

   A good senior sql/report developer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a senior sql/report developer job description:

   Senior sql/report developer job description example

   Gallagher is a global leader in insurance, risk management and consulting services. We help businesses grow, communities thrive and people prosper. We live a culture defined by The Gallagher Way, our set of shared values and guiding tenets. A culture driven by our people, over 30,000 strong, serving our clients with customized solutions that will protect them and fuel their futures.
   : Our Data Exchange team is growing and looking for a Senior SQL Developer. In this role, you will be part of a divisional IT team based in Rolling Meadows, IL with the ability to work nearly entirely remotely. The team develops enterprise caliber software applications on the Microsoft platform. You'll work under the leadership of a Manager with a Software Engineering background and will use modern practices and technologies to develop enterprise software. You'll work collaboratively with a talented group of Developers in a team environment.
   
   Responsibilities :
   Directs, prepares, designs, codes, tests, debugs, and maintains complex computer programs Under general direction, formulates and defines system scope and objectives Works with users to support business applications, and investigate operational problems/system requirements Devises or modifies procedures to solve complex problems considering computer equipment capacity and limitations, operating time, and form of desired results Refines business requirements from which programs will be written Designs, codes, tests, debugs, and documents those programs Responsible for completion of development projects Solves user inquiries that arise during day-to-day operation Develops business cases, requirements and performance metrics Work primarily on the database level as well as working on full stack developer projects.
   
   Qualifications:
   Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or Business 5 or more years related experience, including the following Microsoft SQL Server 2016 and beyond Stored procedures, T-SQL, temp tables, database performance tuning Microsoft SSRS and Microsoft SSIS Data warehouse concepts and design patterns including star schema and snowflake database design, ETL processing Experience with Microsoft Power BI, .NET and Azure nice to have Experience with automated unit testing and test-assisted development preferred Experience with agile software development methodologies Knowledge of Sarbanes Oxley requirements nice to have Strong user and client relationship management skills Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface with a variety of levels of the organization, including both to a technical and non-technical audience. Self-starter with strong work ethic and ability to excel in fast paced, high demand environment Proven ability to independently manage tasks and priorities, accurately estimate work and meet deadlines
   U.S. Eligibility Requirements:
   Interested candidates must submit an application and resume/CV online to be considered Are you 18 years of age or older or can you demonstrate legal capacity to enter a contract? Must be willing to submit to a background investigation; any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States. For U.S. employment opportunities, Gallagher hires U.S. citizens, permanent residents, asylees, refugees, and temporary residents. Temporary residence does not include those with non-immigrant work authorization (F, J, H or L visas), such as students in practical training status. Exceptions to these requirements will be determined based on shortage of qualified candidates with a particular skill. Gallagher will require proof of work authorization Must be willing to execute Gallagher's Employee Agreement or Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement which requires, among other things, post-employment obligations relating to non-solicitation, confidentiality and non-disclosure
   Gallagher offers competitive salaries and benefits, including: medical/dental/vision plans, life and accident insurance, 401(K), employee stock purchase plan, educational expense reimbursement, employee assistance program, flexible work hours (availability varies by office and job function) training programs, matching gift program, and more.
   
   Gallagher believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against nor favor any applicant because of race, sex, color, disability, national origin, religion, creed, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, gender, gender identity / expression, actual or perceived sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Equal employment opportunity will be extended in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, layoff, and termination. In addition, Gallagher will make reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified applicant with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.
   
   #LI-DK3
   
   Additional Information

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5. Post your job

   To find senior sql/report developers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any senior sql/report developers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level senior sql/report developers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   To find senior sql/report developer candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting senior sql/report developers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview senior sql/report developer candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • 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 sql/report developer

   Once you've decided on a perfect senior sql/report developer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new senior sql/report developer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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