Explore Senior SQL DBA jobs for experienced database professionals ready to lead the design, performance, security, and reliability of critical data platforms. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more, including senior SQL Server and database administration roles across industries.
Senior SQL database administrators oversee database environments that support essential business applications and analytics. Typical responsibilities include managing SQL Server databases, planning and executing upgrades and migrations, monitoring availability, tuning queries and indexes, establishing backup and recovery strategies, and protecting sensitive data. Senior DBAs may also set standards, mentor colleagues, and partner with engineering, infrastructure, security, and business teams.
Employers commonly look for deep experience with relational database administration and SQL, along with expertise in performance troubleshooting, high availability, disaster recovery, capacity planning, and access controls. Familiarity with cloud databases, automation and scripting, database monitoring, and large-scale migrations can also be valuable. Strong communication and the ability to translate business requirements into dependable database solutions are important at the senior level.
Compensation varies by location, industry, company size, platform expertise, and the scope of the role. Senior SQL DBA positions listed on Ladders meet the site’s $100,000-and-above salary focus. Opportunities may include hands-on database leadership, enterprise platform ownership, consulting, or progression into database architecture and data infrastructure management.
Search vetted Senior SQL DBA openings and compare responsibilities, required skills, and compensation. Use your experience with database reliability, performance, security, and modernization to identify roles that match your next career move.
$135K - $220K *
Transform data engineering by building scalable pipelines and platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance analytics and AI capabilities while ensuring data reliability and governance...
1 week ago
$100K - $140K *
Take ownership of building intelligent, cloud-native solutions that streamline radiology workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable software, ensuring quality and security...
1 week ago
$95K - $114K *
Join a dynamic team to design and optimize data systems for AI/ML applications, enhancing Navy IT operations. Collaborate with engineers to ensure reliable data processing and support mission-critical...
1 week ago
Senior Professional Services Consultant - Cortex XSIAM (SIEM & Automation)
$175K - $240K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on modernizing Security Operations Centers. Leverage your expertise in SIEM and SOAR to enhance incident response and security automation for ente...
2 weeks ago
Senior Cyber Threat Analyst, IT - Security
$110K - $130K *
Champion your career in cybersecurity by enhancing threat detection and response capabilities in a dynamic environment. Collaborate closely with security teams to establish and improve cyber threat in...
Reposted 1 week ago
$72K - $100K *
Join our dynamic team as a Sr. Credit Analyst, owning the underwriting cycle from application review to decision-making. Leverage your analytical skills to enhance credit processes and contribute to a...
6 days ago
Head of Data Platform Engineering
$250K - $290K *
Join a team that's redefining data platforms, leading architecture and engineering efforts while shaping and scaling a reliable, next-generation data warehouse for analytics and machine learning capab...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Developer - Duck Creek Billing Lead
$140K - $160K *
Tackle complex application challenges by designing and enhancing business software solutions. Collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure systems operate optimally, providing a top-tier customer e...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Manager - Tech, AWS Distributed SQL
$152K - $205K *
Shape the future of product strategy by leading initiatives that transform customer feedback into actionable plans for accelerated growth and delivery in a dynamic environment, collaborating with engi...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Data Center Project Manager
$100K - $160K *
Elevate your career by leading the start-up and commissioning of critical power systems for large-scale data centers. Drive project success through effective planning, execution, and stakeholder manag...
Today
Lakehouse Architect / Databricks SME
$114K - $252K *
Transform the landscape of federal oversight as a Lakehouse Architect. Lead the design and implementation of a modern data platform within government environments, enhancing access and insights for cr...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer - Database Platform Engineering & SRE
$152K - $223K *
Drive operational transformation and cloud readiness by leading database modernization initiatives, improving reliability and engineering excellence through automation and best practices while mentori...
Reposted yesterday
$95K - $120K *
Contribute to the design and automation of cloud-native solutions in AWS, collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement Infrastructure as Code and enhance cloud observability, ensuring secure...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by building and automating security solutions. In this hands-on role, you'll develop CI/CD pipelines, enhance detection workflows, and integrate security tools, all while collabora...
Today
Senior Business Process Analyst - Remote
$72K - $130K *
Innovate business processes to enhance HEDIS® data reporting. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to monitor compliance, evaluate metrics, and drive interventions that support operational excellen...
Reposted 1 week ago
$94K - $107K *
Transform data governance operations by driving process adoption, supporting data stewards, and enhancing governance tools. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance, improve workflows, and leverage...
1 week ago
$150K - $175K *
Transform the retirement solutions landscape by driving enterprise sales, fostering relationships, and delivering innovative strategies. Leverage your expertise to guide clients in optimizing their re...
2 weeks ago
Senior Site Reliability Expert
$125K - $150K *
Unlock potential by driving the design and reliability of product infrastructure. Collaborate across teams to enhance software delivery, automate processes, and build scalable cloud solutions while ad...
1 week ago
Lead Software Development Engineer in Test
$165K - $185K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of test automation, driving quality and performance through innovative strategies and frameworks. Collaborate within an agile team to enhance product scalability a...
Reposted today
Database Administration, Advisor
$104K - $166K *
Oversee the management of databases on z/OS while providing technical development support for a Department of Defense customer. Collaborate with teams to modernize and maintain intricate mainframe sys...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$130K - $216K *
Transform enterprise Databricks environments with innovative designs, ensuring secure, efficient implementations while collaborating with stakeholders to deliver scalable data solutions and enhance go...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior QA Automation Engineer - SDET
$100K - $120K *
Drive quality assurance as a Senior QA Automation Engineer, enhancing our distributed database platform through designing automated tests, validating features, and improving release processes while wo...
4 weeks ago
$130K - $175K *
Transform IT operations by establishing automated, self-service systems while ensuring ISO compliance. As a crucial partner across functions, you'll enhance security protocols, streamline workflows, a...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Champion the management of mainframe outsourcing, ensuring optimal performance and vendor accountability while providing technical leadership and support for mainframe technologies across the organiza...
6 days ago
Manager, Mainframe Systems Programming
$102K - $148K *
Lead the charge in managing Mainframe Systems Programming teams, ensuring project alignment and team development. Drive performance through mentoring, risk management, and effective communication whil...
1 week ago
What does a Senior SQL DBA do?
A Senior SQL DBA manages and improves database systems, commonly including SQL Server environments. The role often covers performance tuning, backups and recovery, security, upgrades, availability, migrations, and technical guidance for teams.
What qualifications are common for Senior SQL DBA jobs?
Employers typically seek substantial database administration experience, advanced SQL skills, and knowledge of performance optimization, high availability, disaster recovery, and database security. Cloud platforms, automation, and mentoring experience may also be preferred.
How much do Senior SQL DBA jobs pay?
Pay depends on location, industry, employer, and the role’s technical scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying Senior SQL DBA opportunities.
Are Senior SQL DBA roles limited to SQL Server?
Many roles focus on Microsoft SQL Server, but some employers value experience with other relational database platforms, cloud-managed databases, or hybrid environments. Review each job description for its specific technology requirements.
What career paths can follow a Senior SQL DBA role?
Experienced Senior SQL DBAs may advance into database architecture, data platform engineering, database management, cloud infrastructure, or broader data infrastructure leadership.