Career comparison
Data Engineer vs Database Administrator
A side-by-side read on pay, outlook, and — the part that actually decides it — which one fits the way you work.
Data Engineer
$152,000median
$105K – $285K
Data Engineer rewards strength in technical depth and analytical thinking.
Database Administrator
$115,000median
$78K – $195K
Database Administrator rewards strength in technical depth and analytical thinking.
Head to head
MetricData EngineerDatabase Administrator
Median salary$152k✓$115k
5-year growth88/100✓48/100
Future-proof84/100✓56/100
Remote potential82/10078/100
Stress level60/10064/100
Entry difficulty72/10056/100✓
Figures from the Work Fit IQ catalog, calibrated to public 2024-2026 US labor signals (BLS OEWS/OOH, O*NET, Levels.fyi). A highlighted side means a meaningful edge on that metric, not a verdict on the whole career.
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