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.
$91K - $163K *
Lead the design and development of scalable cloud-based data engineering solutions, enhancing healthcare quality reporting and operational excellence while collaborating with cross-functional teams to...
2 weeks ago
Senior Business Analyst, Professional Services (Req #1417)
$90K - $120K *
Analyze and enhance business processes across the services lifecycle. Develop reporting solutions and dashboards to drive informed decisions, improve revenue predictability, and support stakeholders i...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Advance your career by redefining QA automation practices with AI in our cutting-edge software solutions. Join a dynamic team to implement automated tests and maintain cloud-based QA environments, ens...
3 weeks ago
Staff Backend Engineer - Mimir Query, Databases | USA | Remote
$174K - $209K *
Lead the charge in optimizing distributed systems, ensuring performance and reliability for Mimir, a key telemetry database. Collaborate with a remote team to design, maintain, and enhance scalable so...
Reposted today
Senior Site Reliability Engineer II
$120K - $145K *
Drive system reliability and scalability as a Senior Site Reliability Engineer, focusing on automation and collaboration with software teams to enhance performance and maintain service objectives acro...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, Identity
$166K - $242K *
Deliver secure, reliable backend systems that enhance user experiences across products. Own projects from design to deployment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to balance security and usabil...
Reposted 2 days ago
Professional Services Consultant
$95K - $115K *
Engage with clients to transform complex Enterprise Architecture needs into actionable solutions. Manage implementation workstreams, ensuring effective onboarding and training while fostering strong r...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion a transformational Agile culture by guiding teams through complex delivery challenges, fostering improvements in velocity, and facilitating best practices. Drive governance and integrated pla...
Reposted 1 week ago
System Administrator Principal
$120K - $160K *
Optimize customer service management and AI capabilities by leading ServiceNow implementations, enhancing workflows, and ensuring compliance with governance standards to elevate customer experience an...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Unlock AI-driven engineering transformation by collaborating with clients to enhance SDLC processes. Drive measurable improvements in delivery speed and quality through innovative solutions and hands...
5 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in delivering expert database solutions across multiple platforms. Collaborate with clients to optimize performance, implement high availability, and manage migrations, ensuring seamle...
1 week ago
Senior Data Quality and Governance Training Analyst
$117K - $195K *
Champion the development and execution of data stewardship training programs to enhance organizational data quality and governance skills while collaborating with domain experts to address skill gaps...
3 weeks ago
Senior Data Engineer/ Databricks, PySpark, Python
$125K - $150K *
Make your mark at a leading automotive project focusing on scalable data solutions, ensuring performance and reliability in a complex Azure Databricks environment, while optimizing costs and driving i...
3 weeks ago
$146K - $282K *
Engineer high-quality software solutions, mentor team members, and drive architectural decisions in an AI-driven environment, ensuring excellence and collaboration across product development...
1 week ago
Senior Customer Success Manager
$90K - $110K *
Lead strategic customer relationships in Bankruptcy Risk, ensuring retention and growth. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored solutions, drive customer success, and enhance valu...
1 week ago
Senior Developer, Business Systems
$102K - $142K *
Transform Salesforce systems by enhancing integrations and configurations. Collaborate with a dynamic team to support professional services and streamline project management, ensuring seamless operati...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Services Consultant - Workday
$110K - $130K *
Discover your potential by leading complex Workday integrations with a focus on Financial Management. Engage with clients and teams to create scalable solutions, drive project success, and support the...
3 weeks ago
Senior Technical Account Manager
$155K - $180K *
Lead the charge in optimizing delivery frameworks for complex global accounts, collaborating with VPs and executives to translate business needs into operational strategies, and mentoring peers to fos...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Sr. DevOps Engineer - Federal Customer
$125K - $150K *
Take ownership of next-generation IT infrastructure innovation. Collaborate with a diverse team to design, deploy, and secure tools that enhance operational capabilities using leading technologies in...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Business Analyst/Scrum Master
$100K - $110K *
Join a team that's advancing project success through Agile leadership and stakeholder engagement. As a vital contributor, you'll manage requirements and optimize workflows while collaborating with cro...
3 weeks ago
Distinguished Software Engineer
$232K - $341K *
Unlock potential by leading the technical strategy for enterprise architecture, focusing on AI integration and cloud migration. Collaborate with engineers to solve complex challenges and drive innovat...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Advance our business strategy by leading the analysis and implementation of technology solutions. Collaborate with vendors and stakeholders to streamline processes, derive insights, and drive efficien...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$138K - $201K *
Architect cloud-based data solutions and drive enterprise data strategy. Leverage advanced analytics and modern data architectures to enhance operational efficiency and compliance in healthcare data m...
1 week ago
Senior Data & AI Platform Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to design and build a robust data platform that enhances product performance and supports AI initiatives, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for internal and customer-facing...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Transform AI agent systems by owning technical decisions and delivery from design to production. Collaborate with stakeholders, develop workflows, and ensure reliability while mentoring engineers and...
2 weeks 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.