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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$120K - $145K *

Drive product strategy and modernization for merchant onboarding solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance risk management capabilities and ensure market-leading standards in a d...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$172K - $202K *

Lead innovative insights and strategies as a Senior Director, driving impactful research and analysis to empower clients in navigating complex market challenges and achieving their business objectives...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$113K - $188K *

Transform data into insights by developing cutting-edge machine learning models. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address complex business needs using advanced analytics, ensuring data-driv...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in developing interoperability specifications for Veteran health information exchange, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance standards and ensure compliance with federal...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$164K - $282K *

Champion innovative solutions by leading cross-functional teams in AI, analytics, and product development. Drive impactful projects from concept to implementation while ensuring responsible AI practic...

Minnetonka, MNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$174K - $291K *

Lead the charge in shaping enterprise identity and access management strategies. Drive operational excellence, oversee IAM governance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance security a...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$102K - $163K *

Join a team that's committed to advancing technology solutions and driving architectural innovations. Your expertise will shape critical systems while fostering collaboration and inspiring junior arch...

Providence, RIRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Unlock your potential as a Lead Data Software Engineer, driving innovative data solutions and leading cross-functional teams to enhance our data infrastructure and ensure scalability and performance a...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$74K - $137K *

Lead the charge in transforming workflows with AI, driving adoption and measurable impact in legal, tax, and trade sectors. Collaborate with clients and teams to design, implement, and evaluate innova...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$131K - $237K *

Optimize multi-cloud architectures and lead technical initiatives to enhance application performance, security, and cost-efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to modernize systems and en...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$87K - $157K *

Unlock potential by providing advanced technical expertise to design, implement, and support complex data solutions. Collaborate across teams to ensure data accuracy and resolve issues while leading i...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $110K *

Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Business Systems Administrator, driving strategy and optimization across G&A and Finance systems. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance system performance...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing and optimizing enterprise network solutions, mentoring engineers, and managing key projects. Collaborate with clients to enhance their network infrastructure while ensurin...

Tampa, FLRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $260K *

Lead the charge in establishing security governance and standards for the ServiceNow platform. Collaborate across teams to define security strategy, evaluate risks, and enhance security capabilities...

Rhode Island, USRemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in managing global data center upgrade projects, ensuring seamless execution across multiple locations while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive program success and enha...

Seattle, WARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$172K - $240K *

Join a team that's redefining AI security! As a Principal AI Security Engineer, you'll lead assessments, design controls, and partner with teams to ensure safe AI adoption across the enterprise, drivi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$131K - $219K *

Transform client relationships by leading new business development, managing high-value portfolios, and ensuring top-notch credit quality in the corporate banking sector. Collaborate with specialists...

Phoenix, AZRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Drive the integration of AI features into measurement products, owning architecture and delivery. Collaborate with a small team to implement natural-language processing, validation, and workflow assis...

Georgia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$109K - $156K *

Lead the effort to enhance data governance within an enterprise data platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement best practices, ensure data quality, and develop effective policies...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Drive operational excellence by enhancing reliability and performance of a SaaS platform. Collaborate with development teams to implement automation, incident management, and observability practices...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $110K *

Drive adoption and maximize ROI by managing enterprise customer accounts, leading deployments and training. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure seamless integration, provide exceptional service...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Champion the functional implementation of our rental management solution, guiding clients through discovery, configuration, and go-live phases to ensure successful deployments that enhance operational...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$165K - $185K *

Innovate your career by driving the physical electrical design of high-voltage substations and utility-scale facilities while collaborating with diverse teams to deliver quality engineering solutions...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$95K - $115K *

Lead the development and coordination of disaster recovery plans, ensuring organizational resilience. Collaborate with teams to conduct risk analyses and testing, while coaching staff to enhance their...

Nashville, TNRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$110K - $130K *

Empower your career with senior-level expertise in data architecture and warehousing. Drive data integration and management, ensuring effective solutions for Occupational Environmental Health practice...

United StatesRemote

3 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.