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.
$110K - $130K *
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$132K - $188K *
Drive impactful product development for an innovative AI platform by collaborating with cross-functional teams, defining scalable capabilities, and ensuring compliance while delivering measurable cust...
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$110K - $130K *
Drive customer success by managing enterprise accounts, ensuring adoption and satisfaction with cybersecurity solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver value and strategic alignment through...
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$90K - $110K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing data quality and governance. Contribute to building robust data platforms and ensure reliable data-driven decision-making through effective testing and automa...
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$135K - $160K *
Innovate within the AI Platform team by designing and operating core components for AI-driven solutions, focusing on model serving, agentic infrastructure, or observability. Collaborate across teams t...
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$110K - $130K *
Accelerate the development of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) by collaborating with clients to solve complex manufacturing challenges through innovative automation and programming solutions, whi...
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$108K - $136K *
Drive strategic guidance and regulatory expertise in qualified retirement plans, analyzing IRC and ERISA provisions to support complex inquiries and business initiatives while collaborating with inter...
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Senior Principal Engineer, Solutions Architecture - Networking
$170K - $243K *
Unlock potential by leading AI infrastructure planning and network architecture. Collaborate with clients to design scalable solutions for high-performance computing and AI workloads, ensuring optimal...
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Senior Technical Architect, Life Sciences
$172K - $260K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Technical Architect to innovate AI-first solutions for complex life sciences clients. Leverage expertise in Salesforce to drive impactful strategies and enhance operati...
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Enterprise Account Executive - Financial Services
$150K - $180K *
Shape the future of financial services by driving AI voice technology adoption. Leverage your expertise to build strategic partnerships with major institutions, enhancing customer interactions and ope...
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$65K - $126K *
Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing mainframe network systems. Leverage your expertise in planning, installing, and maintaining software while ensuring system performance and reliability. Colla...
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$120K - $130K *
Transform data engineering by architecting scalable pipelines and optimizing healthcare data solutions. Lead teams to enhance data quality and compliance while driving innovation and strategic alignme...
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Senior STIBO Software Developer
$83K - $222K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Software Developer, driving innovation in Master Data Management. Lead the development of scalable data solutions for product, vendor, and customer data, enhancing qual...
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Principal Software Development Engineer
$150K - $214K *
Lead the charge in designing and implementing enterprise Finance solutions, optimizing processes, and driving global transformation initiatives through innovative technology and collaboration with sta...
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Senior Incident Response Analyst
$120K - $145K *
Advance your career by managing complex cybersecurity incidents, leading response efforts, and developing comprehensive incident reports. Collaborate with teams to enhance security protocols and condu...
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Senior Incident Response Analyst
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in incident management and response, driving effective remediation strategies and assessments. Collaborate with teams to formulate incident response plans, conduct training exercises...
5 days ago
Senior Incident Response Analyst
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity through expert incident management, response, and analysis. Lead global efforts, develop training scenarios, and create comprehensive reports to...
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$110K - $130K *
Grow your career with advanced Machine Learning initiatives, collaborating across teams to design, build, and optimize AI agents within enterprise applications, while continuously enhancing your softw...
4 weeks ago
$206K - $283K *
Unlock potential by providing expert guidance in network security transformation, collaborating with sales teams to architect solutions that enhance customer security postures and drive successful out...
6 days ago
$206K - $283K *
Transform customer security with your expertise in network security and zero trust. Collaborate across teams to define robust solutions and lead critical technical discussions that enhance cybersecuri...
3 weeks ago
Architect, AI - Active Top Secret Clearance
$130K - $215K *
Unlock potential by leading AI architecture solutions that empower clients through innovative design, hands-on implementation, and strategic guidance, ensuring successful adoption of cutting-edge tech...
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Senior Solution Architect/Solution Consulting Director (Field Service)
$150K - $273K *
Unlock potential by leading complex enterprise engagements, driving solutions, and delivering customer ROI. Collaborate with stakeholders, analyze challenges, and implement best practices to ensure su...
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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.