SQL Developer Salary Guide: What to Expect in 2024

SQL stands for structured query language and is sometimes pronounced “sequel." This language is used to communicate with a database and is an important tool for data professionals.

If you’re interested in becoming an SQL developer or getting into data science or analysis, then SQL is the language to know. As a SQL developer, you’d work in the tech industry, where salaries are generally high. Read on to gain a deeper insight into a SQL developer’s salary and job prospects.

What is a SQL developer?

An SQL developer is an information technology (IT) professional who designs, creates, and manages databases or applications using SQL programming language. SQL is a tool used to extract and organize large amounts of data (big data) that are stored in databases so that they can be analyzed. Just like you would use English or another language to speak to a friend or family member, SQL is the language that allows you to communicate with and perform functions on databases to extract data you need.

To manage all the data and make it useful for businesses, SQL developers build and test databases that store the information, making sure they’re running correctly and troubleshooting whenever necessary. Developers update and delete data as needed by a particular application.

Typical projects for an SQL developer might include inventory management or hospital records management. You would be responsible for controlling the stock for products in an Amazon warehouse, for example, you’d need to manage inventory levels, reduce insurance costs, and keep reserve stock on hand, all by using SQL for database management.

Is SQL for me?

It can be fun to learn something new, and SQL can introduce you to the world of data management. In the Introduction to Relational Database and SQL Guided Project, you can gain hands-on experience working with a relational database in just one hour.

Learn more: SQL vs. NoSQL: The Differences Explained + When to Use Each

How much do SQL developers make?

According to multiple job listing sites, the average annual pay for an SQL developer ranges from $81,400 to $117,450. The following table lists the salary ranges provided by Payscale, Zippia, Indeed, Glassdoor, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1,2,3,4,5]:

Factors impacting SQL developers’ salary 

As an SQL developer, your salary might be affected by your geographical location, educational background, experience, and the industry you choose to work in. Learn how each of these factors can impact your yearly earnings.

Location

Salaries can vary depending on where your company is located. Generally, cities with higher costs of living tend to pay higher salaries. However, with many tech companies prioritizing remote work, salaries may be determined by an employee’s location rather than the company’s. Below is a compilation of the highest-paying cities for SQL developers in the US, according to Indeed [3]:

• New York: $144,438 

• Austin: $137,227 

• Houston: $136,762 

• Chicago: $129,359 

• Washington: $122,538 

• Atlanta: $121,317 

• Charlotte: $108,508 

Education

While you don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree to become an SQL developer, 72 percent of SQL developers have one, according to Zippia [6]. A bachelor’s degree allows for an annual income of $87,159, while a master’s degree yields $93,104 [6]. Opting for a doctorate offers an even higher income of $99,011 [6]. Often, SQL developers study computer science, information technology, engineering, or business. 

If you obtain certifications, you may be able to negotiate a higher salary and gain access to organizations or industries that pay more. The following are a few notable certifications you can consider: 

• IBM Certified Database Associate - DB2 Fundamentals: $104,000 [7]

• Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate: $87,000 [8]

• Oracle Database Administrator Certified Associate: $109,000 [9]

Read more: 5 SQL Certifications for Your Data Career in 2024

Experience

As in many other jobs, the longer you work as an SQL developer, the more you can expect to earn. Senior SQL developers with five or more years of experience typically earn more, which can vary depending on your industry. The following list details the average base pay you can expect based on your number of years of experience, according to Glassdoor [4]:

• 0–1 year: $74,146

• 1–3 years: $85,269

• 4–6 years: $100,649

• 7–9 years: $108,619

• 10–14 years: $112,626

• 15 or more years: $118,516

Industry

Industries with high demand for SQL developers often offer competitive salaries to attract and retain talent. As of June 2024, the top-paying industries for SQL developers are the following, according to Glassdoor [4]:

• Financial services: $131,122

• Health care: $113,582

• Human resources and staffing: $108,668

• Legal services: $107,679

Meta, HumanEdge, Kelly Services, and SEI Investments are among the highest-paying companies for SQL developers, with salaries reported at $124,608, $105,673, $104,804, and $104,094 respectively [2].

Job outlook for SQL developers

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an 8 percent growth in job opportunities for database administrators and architects between 2022 and 2032 [5]. The projection translates to roughly 10,200 job openings per year [5].

Career path for a SQL developer

SQL developers who begin at an entry-level position may grow into senior SQL development positions. An SQL developer can also become a database administrator or business intelligence (BI) developer and grow into a manager, architect, or engineer. Outlined below are the base salaries for a range of related titles, according to Glassdoor:

• Database administrator: $103,548

• Business intelligence developer: $97,964

• Database administration (DBA) manager: $103,548

• Information technology (IT) manager: $96,764

• Business intelligence architect: $124,066

• Database engineer: $118,473

• Database architect: $112,666

• Business intelligence analyst: $90,771

• Data scientist: $112,419

Build your SQL skills

To become an SQL developer, you’ll need to be an expert in these skills:

• Relational database: Use the database to manage large amounts of data and design logical models of relational databases.

• SQL programming language: Use SQL to control and manipulate databases, enabling the creation of complex queries using tables and variables, and delivering dynamic reporting solutions.

• SQL server integration services (SSIS): Use ETL (“extract, transform, load”) tools to integrate data from unique sources and save all the data in another platform so you can clean and manage it. Develop SSIS solutions that can be applied to business units across an organization.

• Analytical skills: SQL developers need analytical skills to understand the organization’s needs and requirements and then design software solutions that suit those needs.

Study SQL on Coursera

Learn one of the most widely used programming languages with Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL), a course offered as part of the Web Applications for Everybody Specialization from the University of Michigan. 

You can also zero in on SQL at the University of Colorado Boulder, offered as part of the Databases for Data Scientists Specialization, which can also be applied to the Master of Science in Data Science.

You may add any of these courses to your LinkedIn profile or resume to prove your skills-based learning. Consider Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate for a more in-depth look at key analytical skills such as data analysis and visualization and tools like spreadsheets, SQL, R programming, and Tableau. You can be job-ready in less than six months.