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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$110K - $120K *

Design and lead business analysis initiatives utilizing Microsoft Power Platform. Create impactful data visualizations and streamline HR processes for federal agencies, enhancing decision-making throu...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$81K - $141K *

Contribute to cutting-edge full stack applications, transforming business needs into innovative tech solutions. Collaborate and innovate within Agile teams, emphasizing security and performance across...

Portsmouth, NHRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$76K - $130K *

Grow your career with a dynamic role in application development, where you'll design, maintain, and enhance software solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive project success...

Wisconsin, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$115K - $135K *

Unlock potential by designing and integrating complex environmental datasets. Engage with stakeholders to ensure accurate data representation while driving technical solutions and data governance in a...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Engage in business intelligence solutions by utilizing Microsoft Power BI to develop data models, dashboards, and reports. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality analytics fo...

Washington, DCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$135K - $160K *

Explore exciting challenges in AI evaluation by developing frameworks and custom validators for cutting-edge machine learning applications. Collaborate to enhance the quality and reliability of AI age...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Lead the design and optimization of scalable ETL/ELT pipelines while enhancing data integration and quality. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive architectural decisions and automate workf...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$280K - $340K *

Drive revenue growth by executing strategic sales plans targeting top-tier Banking and Capital Markets clients. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address complex challenges in fraud, AML, and...

RemoteRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $170K *

Support our dynamic IT team by architecting and leading enterprise storage solutions. Drive innovations in hybrid cloud infrastructures while mentoring fellow professionals and ensuring optimal servic...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$118K - $222K *

Advance application reliability and operational excellence by leading initiatives in automation, incident management, and observability. Collaborate across teams to enhance system performance and deli...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$124K - $156K *

Shape the future of AI Services by owning product strategy and execution. Collaborate with engineering teams to define agentic capabilities, drive tool strategies, and establish AI quality standards t...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Lead the cybersecurity validation and risk management processes to ensure IT systems comply with requirements, fostering a secure environment while guiding junior team members in their operational tas...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$170K - $204K *

Engineer robust data pipelines and systems, leveraging your Python expertise and data engineering techniques. Play a key role in advancing data strategies and tools while fostering a culture of innova...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$60K - $142K *

Lead the design and development of innovative automation solutions across multiple platforms, enhancing client experiences and operational efficiency while driving technical direction and agile practi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Software Engineer, collaborating with a seasoned team to tackle complex challenges. Drive product development in a fully remote environment, focusing on user n...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$102K - $170K *

Lead the charge in full-stack development, collaborating on enterprise modernization with Microservices. Deliver high-quality software, mentor engineers, and ensure best practices for cloud technologi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$121K - $262K *

Elevate business development by managing key relationships in the payments industry. Leverage expertise to implement tailored strategies for complex clients, ensuring profitable growth and exceptional...

New York, NYRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$155K - $210K *

Lead complex programs and strategic client engagements, driving technology transformation and sustainable business value. Act as a trusted adviser to C-level stakeholders, shaping program vision and e...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $200K *

Shape the future of data architecture by leading innovative solutions that empower clients to modernize their data platforms, ensuring they are secure, scalable, and aligned with business goals while...

Atlanta, GARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $155K *

Champion data transformation excellence by leading data engineering solutions in Azure. Drive collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance data-driven insights and mentor junior engineers whil...

Georgia, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Elevate security and efficiency in cloud environments by designing and automating secure CI/CD pipelines, ensuring compliance and reliability for regulated applications in a FedRAMP High setting, whil...

Dallas, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $175K *

Transform your career by architecting secure, scalable Azure solutions that drive modern application delivery. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop automation and enhance cloud services while lev...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Innovate your career by leading SaaS modernization projects, enhancing delivery efficiency through AI and automation. Drive customer success by transforming legacy systems into scalable, sustainable s...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$70K - $110K *

Lead the charge in ensuring an exceptional client experience by bridging communication between internal teams and clients, fostering strong relationships, and proactively addressing client needs while...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$175K - $200K *

Optimize our data infrastructure platform by enhancing automation, observability, and stability. Drive architectural changes to support long-term service requirements while ensuring high throughput an...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.