Senior SQL DBA Jobs

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.

What Senior SQL DBAs Do

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.

Skills and Experience Employers Seek

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.

Senior SQL DBA Salary and Opportunities

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.

Find Senior SQL DBA Roles on Ladders

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.

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$156K - $210K *

Champion transformative solutions by leveraging your extensive expertise in mainframe modernization. Collaborate with global clients to drive innovation, enhance technology strategies, and ensure seam...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Information Technology

$69K - $107K *

Champion client success by leveraging technical expertise to enhance platform value, optimize workflows, and drive measurable outcomes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative so...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$136K - $253K *

Shape competitive strategies by analyzing market trends and competitors. Drive insights for data and AI security, supporting diverse stakeholders globally. Own competitive messaging and tools to enhan...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $175K *

Join a team that's redefining cloud solutions by architecting innovative CaaS and cloud-native technologies. Collaborate with customers to tackle complex challenges and drive successful cloud transfor...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$171K - $300K *

Take ownership of architecting and developing AI-driven backend solutions for Access Security, enhancing identity intelligence and risk detection while collaborating with cross-functional teams to del...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Engineer robust data exchange solutions across regions, ensuring compliance and security. Develop scalable backend services and data pipelines while collaborating globally with cross-functional teams...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Take ownership of automating workflows across teams by building AI agents using Claude and Microsoft Copilot. Collaborate with various departments to identify automation opportunities, ensuring securi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$124K - $145K *

Join our Client Insights team to transform data into actionable insights that drive sales and merchant retention. Collaborate across analytics, product, and strategy to enhance AI-driven solutions for...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to transforming healthcare data into actionable insights. This role involves analyzing complex datasets, collaborating with stakeholders, and delivering data-driven recomm...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading innovative AI development teams, designing cutting-edge solutions, and orchestrating advanced agent workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive impactful...

Minneapolis, MNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $150K *

Empower your career by leading client engagements and analysis within our dynamic Salesforce practice. Collaborate with a supportive team to deliver innovative solutions that address current challenge...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to financial excellence, supporting project teams in clinical trials. You'll analyze budgets, manage general ledger functions, and ensure accurate financial reporting whil...

CanadaRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $160K *

Join a team that's committed to enhancing our cybersecurity and GRC programs. You'll drive initiatives across risk management, compliance, and operational security, playing a vital role in strengtheni...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$165K - $190K *

Lead strategic partner integrations and deliver tailored solutions while fostering collaborative relationships to ensure successful onboarding and implementation of our Banking as a Service platform...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$287K - $359K *

Champion growth by driving new logo acquisition and expanding accounts in a defined territory. Leverage your expertise in complex sales cycles to engage C-level decision makers and deliver compelling...

Texas, USRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of supply chain operations through advanced optimization and machine learning. Leverage your expertise to develop scalable decision systems that enhance efficienc...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $185K *

Transform complex workflows by leading AI-driven change initiatives, guiding senior leaders through redesign and adoption processes, and ensuring measurable outcomes in legal, tax, and trade sectors...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$130K - $176K *

Join a team that's building a cutting-edge Client Performance Portal. Lead the architecture and integration of client-facing solutions, ensuring seamless data access and compliance while driving full...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$124K - $170K *

Tackle the challenges of DataOps/MLOps by automating CI/CD, governance, and observability in a regulated environment. Lead engineering teams in building reliable data pipelines and ML models while opt...

Nebraska, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by designing innovative data solutions on Databricks. Lead architecture workshops, partner with sales, and drive enterprise-level analytics and AI platforms while ensuring governan...

CanadaRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Empower enterprise clients by designing and delivering innovative data, analytics, and AI platforms on Databricks. Collaborate with teams to shape solutions, lead workshops, and ensure governance whil...

New York, NYRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $175K *

Innovate by designing and delivering advanced data and AI platforms on Databricks. Collaborate with clients and teams to shape solutions, optimize architectures, and drive successful implementations f...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Seeking an expert to lead Databricks Architecture, implementing cutting-edge data solutions, integrating with AWS/Snowflake, and optimizing MLOps practices for scalable, secure AI platforms in an inno...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $105K *

Advance and lead a dynamic Data Operations team, ensuring exceptional service delivery for asset management clients while driving innovation in data management practices...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the design and implementation of robust security measures to protect sensitive health information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulations while collaborating with cross-functional t...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Senior SQL DBA do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    Experienced Senior SQL DBAs may advance into database architecture, data platform engineering, database management, cloud infrastructure, or broader data infrastructure leadership.