Database Architect salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Database Architects in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $162,870 a year ($78.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $107,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,370 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $139,500. Pay here is 9% higher than the District of Columbia statewide median of $150,010. There are 1.5 database architects per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $159,980, close to the median.
Pay range for database architects in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $107,070 | $51.47 |
| 25th percentile | $128,050 | $61.56 |
| Median | $162,870 | $78.30 |
| 75th percentile | $196,630 | $94.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,370 | $104.03 |
| Average (mean) | $159,980 | $76.92 |
Half of database architects earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,572.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,786.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,264.23 |
| Weekly | $3,132.12 |
| Hourly | $78.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $162,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Database Architect salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $163,590 | 1,500 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $135,130 | 490 |
| Richmond, VA | $133,770 | 440 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $132,940 | 560 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $122,780 | 80 |
| Roanoke, VA | $120,460 | 40 |
| Charleston, WV | $104,570 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for database architects
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $170,160 |
| Massachusetts | $161,650 |
| Virginia | $160,360 |
| Arizona | $156,100 |
| Colorado | $154,560 |
| Texas | $151,370 |
| District of Columbia | $150,010 |
| Delaware | $147,800 |
| Connecticut | $144,460 |
| Illinois | $142,500 |
See Database Architect pay in every state or the District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $154,930 | $74.49 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,040 | $61.08 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Information Security Analyst | $148,950 | $71.61 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $125,430 | $60.30 |
| Computer Network Architect | $159,820 | $76.84 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $126,350 | $60.74 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $92,400 | $44.42 |
| Web Developer | $134,350 | $64.59 |
| Database Administrator | $108,750 | $52.29 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $161,090 | $77.45 |
| Computer Programmer | $130,390 | $62.69 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $97,000 | $46.63 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $156,640 | $75.31 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1243. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a database architect make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for database architects in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $162,870 a year, or $78.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $107,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid database architects make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of database architects in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $216,370 a year. The top 25% earn $196,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for database architects in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $107,070 a year, and a quarter of database architects earn $128,050 or less.
How many database architects work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 4,740 database architects are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.