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.
Sr. Engagement Manager, Forward Deployed Engineering - Public Sector
$130K - $179K *
Lead complex engagements and establish strategic relationships while mentoring teams and driving solutions in high-stakes Public Sector environments. Shape account strategy and deliver measurable impa...
2 weeks ago
Senior HCM Analytics & BI Developer
$105K - $231K *
Optimize enterprise analytics solutions to provide real-time insights and reporting for federal HR stakeholders, driving strategic decision-making and compliance in a fast-paced modernization initiati...
Reposted 5 days ago
$125K - $145K *
Innovate solutions as a Senior ServiceNow Developer by delivering complex platform engineering support, enhancing integrations, and improving automation. Collaborate on enterprise-level applications w...
4 weeks ago
Senior Generator Systems Specialist
$110K - $130K *
Transform critical power systems by overseeing installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of backup generators in data centers, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and optimal uptime for mission-c...
2 weeks ago
Senior AI PM for Data and Governance
$170K - $200K *
Lead cross-functional integration of data, analytics, evaluation, and governance to enhance healthcare AI products. Drive roadmap ownership, optimize workflows, ensure data quality, and foster collabo...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Champion the successful delivery of complex projects, guiding financial institutions in adopting innovative loan origination software. Manage timelines, risks, and stakeholder expectations to ensure p...
1 week ago
AWS-09 - Database & Backup Operations Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Elevate database operations and backup strategies for a major automotive client. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal performance and disaster recovery in a dynamic AWS environmen...
1 week ago
Sr Microsoft Dynamics and Power Platform Developer
$130K - $216K *
Lead the design and delivery of high-quality case management solutions using Microsoft Dynamics and Power Platform. Collaborate closely with clients and technical teams, ensuring timely project execut...
4 weeks ago
Sr Microsoft Dynamics and Power Platform Developer
$130K - $216K *
Accelerate innovation by guiding the development of case management solutions with Microsoft Dynamics and Power Platform. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality projects, ensuring robust syste...
4 weeks ago
Sr Microsoft Dynamics and Power Platform Developer
$130K - $216K *
Champion the design and implementation of enterprise CRM solutions, collaborating closely with clients and technical teams to deliver high-quality, data-driven case management systems within defined p...
4 weeks ago
Sr Business Analyst, Data Technology & Operations
$105K - $176K *
Transform organizational effectiveness by providing strategic insights and analytical support across teams. Collaborate with leadership to evaluate priorities, assess impacts, and drive informed decis...
6 days ago
$90K - $189K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Scrum Master, facilitating Agile execution, coaching teams, and removing obstacles to ensure high-quality software delivery while aligning business needs with technical...
2 days ago
IT Business Applications - Product Owner (CPQ)
$100K - $140K *
Drive your career forward as a Product Owner, CPQ, leading agile delivery and backlog management for our Configure-Price-Quote platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance Quote-to-Cas...
1 week ago
Senior Application Security Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Unlock potential by enhancing application security across web apps and APIs. Collaborate with engineering teams to assess risks, conduct reviews, and drive secure software practices throughout the dev...
1 week ago
Senior Power Platform Developer
$125K - $150K *
Empower enterprise modernization by designing innovative solutions using Microsoft Power Platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop secure, scalable applications in government and de...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Mainframe Systems Programmer - IMS Phyical
$85K - $148K *
Join a dynamic team providing expert software support for mainframe IMS systems. Engage in customer service, problem resolution, and migration services while adhering to best practices and ensuring ti...
1 week ago
Senior AI Agent Developer with AWS, Databricks
$135K - $160K *
Drive innovation as you design, build, and optimize ML/AI solutions, ensuring seamless deployment and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to a supportive environment, a...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Empower data-driven insights by architecting robust data platforms, overseeing ingestion and transformation across diverse customers, and mentoring a growing team while ensuring data integrity and per...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Security Operations Engineer II
$84K - $124K *
Drive the evolution of Cyber Defense by engineering and automating security operations, enhancing incident response, and maintaining enterprise security platforms to ensure robust protection and swift...
Yesterday
Senior Deployment Strategist - Cloud & AI
$150K - $180K *
Unlock potential by transforming cloud and AI deployment strategies, ensuring efficient technical implementations that drive measurable business impact while collaborating with engineering teams and e...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Consultant - Data Platforms - REMOTE
$120K - $145K *
Lead the transformation of data platforms by designing and delivering innovative data warehouse and lakehouse solutions. Collaborate with clients to modernize their data environments and mentor teams...
1 week ago
Sr. Architect | Dynatrace/Observability (Remote)
$170K - $209K *
Transform the observability landscape as a senior leader, guiding Dynatrace practices and mentoring consultants. Drive customer engagements and elevate delivery quality while shaping the future of Obs...
2 weeks ago
$130K - $160K *
Empower the development of mission-critical applications on the ServiceNow platform, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver scalable solutions while ensuring compliance with federal standards and...
1 week ago
Lead Administrator, Database Administration
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing Oracle database landscapes, ensuring optimal performance and standards compliance. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot issues, implement solutions, and drive architectur...
Today
$71K - $120K *
Unlock your potential as a Cybersecurity Control Analyst, driving compliance and control assessments while collaborating with diverse stakeholders to enhance our GRC program and strengthen cybersecuri...
3 days 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.