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.
$125K - $150K *
Elevate data architecture by leading design and governance for a critical modernization program, ensuring secure, scalable solutions in AWS GovCloud while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to ma...
5 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Partner with us to enhance clinical IT solutions as an Epic Analyst II, providing critical support, training, and implementation for Epic EHR systems. Collaborate with teams to optimize workflows and...
6 days ago
Senior Databricks Migration Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Pioneer the migration of legacy data systems to Databricks Lakehouse, optimizing data architecture and ETL processes. Lead cross-functional teams to enhance data accessibility and performance, ensurin...
2 weeks ago
Data Modeler/SQL Database Developer
$90K - $110K *
Elevate your career by providing technical support for a large SQL database, translating business needs into reliable solutions while ensuring database performance and security for critical research o...
2 weeks ago
$128K - $165K *
Lead reliability initiatives across complex systems, driving automation and observability. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational outcomes, manage incidents, and mentor engineers, ensuring comp...
1 week ago
Senior AI Engineer/ A2A, Databricks, MCP
$145K - $175K *
Deliver robust AI solutions by designing and implementing core agents for a cutting-edge enterprise platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, production-ready deploymen...
2 weeks ago
Senior Site Reliability Engineer, Databases
$125K - $135K *
Redefine database reliability as you enhance SRE practices across multiple platforms. Collaborate with peers to improve monitoring, disaster recovery, and incident response for critical database syste...
3 weeks ago
Associate Systems Engineer, Data Management
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining data management solutions. Leverage your expertise in cloud platforms and analytics to support sales teams, drive customer success, and implement innovative data solution...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Take ownership of complex data infrastructure design and automation, ensuring reliable pipelines and mentoring peers. Elevate team performance by enhancing CI/CD processes while working independently...
4 weeks ago
$145K - $175K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Data Architect, leading innovative data modeling and integration initiatives. Collaborate with AI Engineers to design scalable datasets and optimize data governance acr...
6 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining data architecture by leading innovative modeling and integration initiatives. Collaborate with AI Engineers to create scalable datasets and optimize performance in a mult...
6 days ago
$150K - $200K *
Champion the evolution of DevOps practices by providing technical leadership and architectural direction across agile teams, enhancing software delivery speed and reliability while fostering a culture...
5 days ago
$110K - $170K *
Join us to shape the future of DevOps by providing technical leadership and architectural direction across agile teams. Drive automation, enhance developer experience, and champion a culture of contin...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by leading data initiatives and shaping insights through collaboration with stakeholders. Drive innovative BI solutions, ensuring clarity and reliability in analysis, while guidi...
3 weeks ago
Business Development Manager (CTS Database)
$100K - $120K *
Shape the future of clinical trials by driving business development initiatives, identifying opportunities with sponsors and CROs, and promoting CTSdatabase's services to enhance growth and profitabil...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive operational excellence by designing and maintaining secure, scalable infrastructure. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance deployment processes and system observability, ensuring re...
1 week ago
Lead, Database Infrastructure Security Engineer
$133K - $220K *
Lead innovative security solutions by enhancing database security posture, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and implement robust security features, and driving business impact throu...
6 days ago
Senior Security Analyst – Cloud Security
$95K - $120K *
Transform cloud security operations by enhancing AWS and Azure environments. Lead initiatives to secure cloud-native capabilities, manage incident responses, and collaborate with engineering teams to...
1 week ago
Senior AI Engineer with Microsoft Azure
$135K - $160K *
Join us to transform AI prototypes into resilient production systems using Microsoft Azure. Collaborate directly with teams to build and refine agentic systems, ensuring quality and security while dri...
3 weeks ago
Principal Data Governance Architect
$152K - $223K *
Optimize enterprise data governance architecture by establishing standards, evaluating tools, and ensuring alignment with architectural frameworks. Collaborate with teams to embed governance in data i...
Yesterday
Database Administrator- Production Support
$111K - $150K *
Lead the management of mission-critical database environments, ensuring high availability and performance. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues, develop best practices, and implement innovati...
2 weeks ago
Senior Windows Engineer - Managed Services
$106K - $150K *
Unlock potential by providing expert operational support for Windows environments. Manage complex incidents, ensure service availability, and collaborate across teams to enhance customer experiences i...
1 week ago
Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer - Adabas
$84K - $148K *
Empower database excellence by managing Software AG ADABAS environments, ensuring optimal performance, and providing 24x7 support. Collaborate with vendors and clients to resolve issues, maintain docu...
1 week ago
$155K - $170K *
Partner with us to design and build high-performance data solutions, translating complex logic into scalable models and pipelines. Collaborate across teams to improve data quality and adopt innovative...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer - Datacom
$85K - $148K *
Unlock potential by managing CA Datacom environments, optimizing databases, and ensuring 24x7 support. Collaborate with vendors, implement best practices, and maintain documentation to enhance client...
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.