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.
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
Senior Cloud & Infrastructure Engineer (Azure & Terraform)
$125K - $150K *
Elevate your career by leading Azure Cloud infrastructure initiatives. Drive innovation through Terraform development, ensuring robust security and compliance while collaborating with cross-functional...
1 week ago
Senior Solutions Architect, Enterprise
$197K - $260K *
Transform customer experiences by leading technical discovery and designing innovative data solutions. Collaborate with sales and engineering teams to drive adoption and expansion of the dbt platform...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a dynamic team to design and implement scalable data processing pipelines, enhancing data flow and enabling faster analysis. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs in...
6 days ago
Senior Data Engineer II - Data Platforms
$175K - $225K *
Transform data engineering practices by architecting scalable platforms, driving reliability, and mentoring teams. Lead cross-functional initiatives to enhance data governance and leverage AI tools fo...
Today
Senior Analyst, Optimize Transformation
$94K - $151K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Analyst, supporting MedTech Quality initiatives through project management, financial oversight, and strategic reporting. Drive transformation efforts and enhance gover...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, Query
$185K - $255K *
Elevate data management by designing scalable storage solutions and ingestion pipelines. Lead technical direction, optimize performance, and ensure reliable access to historical data for product teams...
4 days ago
Senior Statistical Programmer FSP
$110K - $130K *
Lead advanced SAS programming efforts to support Phase I-IV clinical trials, ensuring data integrity and compliance with CDISC standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-qualit...
2 weeks ago
ServiceNow Operations System Administator
$100K - $120K *
Lead critical infrastructure operations for the ServiceNow platform, focusing on troubleshooting and support of MID Servers, VM systems, and connectivity. Collaborate with technical teams to ensure op...
4 weeks ago
Senior Professional Services Consultant
$105K - $140K *
Champion end-to-end implementations for clients, managing timelines and expectations while solving complex sales compensation challenges in a dynamic, fast-paced environment...
2 weeks ago
Strategic Enterprise Account Executive
$120K - $150K *
Lead the charge in strategic enterprise sales, managing complex accounts and building C-suite relationships to drive long-term revenue across key verticals. Navigate intricate sales cycles and complia...
4 days ago
Principal Product Manager - Tech, AWS Distributed SQL
$181K - $281K *
Lead the charge in product strategy and delivery for cutting-edge database solutions, influencing engineering and executive teams to drive business growth and technical innovation within a fast-paced...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Product Analyst - Donor and Graft Sourcing
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by driving product strategy through data analysis and market insights. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and support decision-making across cellul...
Reposted today
Associate Director- Model Audit, Model Build and Transactions Advisory
$125K - $150K *
Drive excellence by leading model audits and mentoring a dynamic team. Collaborate on complex financial models, ensuring accuracy and strategic growth, while enhancing methodologies to deliver top-not...
Reposted 2 days ago
Lead Azure DevOps Engineer- Azure Networking
$130K - $155K *
Unlock potential by leading Azure DevOps initiatives, optimizing cloud infrastructure, and ensuring security compliance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, efficient Azure ne...
1 week ago
Senior Professional Service Consultant
$117K - $143K *
Unlock potential by leading transformative consulting projects for mortgage lenders. Collaborate with clients to drive efficiencies, optimize operations, and implement effective solutions that enhance...
3 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - R37
$101K - $206K *
Innovate with a team that's transforming healthcare through AI-driven software. Lead the development of scalable solutions, mentor engineers, and enhance workflows in a dynamic environment that impact...
Today
Senior Director Analyst - IAM & AI
$172K - $202K *
Lead the charge in delivering expert guidance on identity and access management technologies, focusing on architecting solutions and producing actionable research to enhance client performance and sec...
Reposted 4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovative solutions by leveraging data analytics and strategic counsel to enhance client performance. Collaborate with high-performing teams to deliver tailored insights for transformational ev...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Transform the go-to-market strategy by owning and optimizing HubSpot systems, ensuring seamless integration across Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success to drive measurable business impact and enhanc...
4 days ago
Senior Architect (Licensed Building Architect), Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$110K - $130K *
Lead architectural design for large-scale hyperscale cloud data centers, overseeing projects from concept to completion. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver innovative, compliant, and efficient...
1 week ago
$114K - $252K *
Drive the development of advanced data pipelines in a cloud environment to centralize and govern critical data for national security operations. Lead a team in migrating legacy systems to modern solut...
3 weeks ago
Senior Infrastructure Test Engineer, DevOps
$120K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as you innovate automated testing solutions for AWS infrastructures and CI/CD pipelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance deployment confidence and streamline v...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Engineer Distributed Storage and Transaction
$150K - $250K *
Innovate the future of distributed storage systems by designing and scaling core features in a collaborative environment. Tackle complex challenges in performance, consistency, and fault tolerance whi...
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.