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.
Implementations - Sr Professional I
$95K - $115K *
Join us to lead implementation projects for Deposit Solutions, ensuring client readiness and successful outcomes. Collaborate with clients and internal teams to translate business needs into actionabl...
Reposted 5 days ago
Implementations - Sr Professional I
$95K - $115K *
Take ownership of client implementations for Deposit Solutions, leading projects from kickoff to go-live. Collaborate with clients and internal teams to ensure successful outcomes, aligning business n...
Reposted 5 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Champion security excellence by leading complex Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR implementations. Drive technical enablement projects, mentor engineers, and enhance client security practices in a d...
1 week ago
$150K - $200K *
Transform enterprise sales by leading AI-driven solutions for global FS/Banking brands. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive client success and evolve operations, ensuring measurable outco...
2 weeks ago
Senior Professional Services Engineer- PubSec - DC Metro
$136K - $230K *
Shape the future of federal engagements by delivering expertise in secure GitLab implementations. Collaborate with diverse teams to configure cloud solutions, migrate legacy systems, and ensure compli...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Analyst, Cost Optimization Services - 26389
$110K - $150K *
Unlock insights by leading cost analysis and benchmarking for E&P operators. Collaborate with C-suite to diagnose cost drivers and deliver actionable recommendations, enhancing operational efficiency...
2 weeks ago
Senior Product Owner DevSecOps
$104K - $143K *
Drive product vision and roadmap as a Senior Product Owner, collaborating with Agile teams to deliver value through effective backlog management and stakeholder engagement, while influencing strategic...
5 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - 26402
$110K - $165K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of energy distribution tools. Leverage your software engineering expertise to develop, enhance, and integrate solutions while mentoring junior developers and coll...
6 days ago
Senior Backend Engineer, Growth & MSSP
$170K - $235K *
Drive the design and implementation of backend services to enhance customer experiences across NodeZero’s licensing, provisioning, and admin systems. Lead efforts to ensure accuracy, scalability, and...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform the infrastructure for a groundbreaking healthcare platform by optimizing cloud solutions, implementing CI/CD, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance clinical AI/ML offerin...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Lead Sr. Business System Analyst
$140K - $155K *
Transform client implementations by leading project scoping, defining solutions, and ensuring successful execution. Collaborate with teams to align business needs with technology, while managing multi...
1 week ago
Sr. Security Engineer - Federal Customer
$120K - $145K *
Join us to design and secure next-gen infrastructure while ensuring compliance. Collaborate with a diverse team, automate security practices, and mitigate risks through innovative solutions to uphold...
Reposted 2 days ago
$115K - $192K *
Elevate database operations by leading a high-performance team to ensure stability, scalability, and security across diverse platforms. Drive strategic initiatives while mentoring talent in a collabor...
3 weeks ago
Business Analyst - MDM & Data Governance
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by bridging business and technical teams to define and implement master data management and governance solutions, ensuring data quality and compliance across the organization...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's dedicated to building robust and innovative data capabilities. You will design and maintain pipelines, improve data integrity, and collaborate across teams to enhance insights and s...
Reposted yesterday
$135K - $160K *
Unlock your potential as a Principal Software Developer, driving the design and deployment of cutting-edge AI platforms. Collaborate across the full stack to create intelligent applications that enhan...
6 days ago
$105K - $135K *
Transform product vision into reality by driving execution and collaboration across teams. Leverage data and AI to enhance risk data accessibility, ensuring customers can act swiftly and confidently o...
2 weeks ago
Mainframe Systems Programmer - Storage
$65K - $123K *
Optimize storage infrastructure by managing DASD and tape systems, ensuring efficient backups, migrations, and disaster recovery. Collaborate with clients and vendors while mentoring team members to e...
1 week ago
Delivery Director - Project Delivery
$148K - $212K *
Drive delivery excellence by leading a portfolio of client engagements, ensuring financial performance and strategic growth while fostering executive relationships and guiding delivery leaders to achi...
1 week ago
Principal Enterprise Architect - AI, Cloud & Modernization (Remote)
$140K - $160K *
Drive enterprise-scale transformation by leading cloud-native architecture initiatives and mentoring teams. Collaborate with stakeholders to shape innovative AI solutions that modernize legacy systems...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Systems Engineer (Unix and Windows)
$125K - $185K *
Champion system administration by leveraging enterprise IT expertise, scripting skills, and a client-focused approach to enhance performance and satisfaction in diverse environments across scientific...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Manager, Infrastructure Engineering
$130K - $155K *
Join a dynamic IT team as you lead a multidisciplinary group in managing a large-scale private-cloud environment, ensuring operational excellence and driving continual service improvement across vario...
2 days ago
Software Developer III for Information Services
$95K - $115K *
Join our team to drive the development of innovative software solutions that enhance student information systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, scalable applications...
Reposted today
Principal AI Solutions Consultant (Presales) - Insurance & Retirement
$150K - $180K *
Pioneer AI solutions in insurance and retirement by leading presales engagements, architecting tailored demos, and driving strategic initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver imp...
4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Manage comprehensive clinical data activities, ensuring oversight from study startup through database lock. Lead cross-functional teams, guarantee vendor performance, and uphold data quality standards...
3 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.