Backend Developer vs Database Administrator
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: mostly different jobs wearing similar names. Posted pay favors the backend developer by about $6k at the midpoint.
The short answer
On pay, backend developers come out ahead by about $6k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $74k–$127k against $73k–$116k for database administrators. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates.
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The readiness numbers further down say how far a typical profile on each side already reaches into the other, and which direction is the easier move.
Backend Developer
backend developer jobs · backend developer salary · backend developer career guide · careers for backend developers
Database Administrator
database administrator jobs · database administrator salary · database administrator career guide · careers for database administrators
The overlap, measured
Switching, both directions
The direction matters: backend developer → database administrator reads 34% ready, the reverse only 14%. Skill overlap is not symmetric.
Backend Developer → Database Administrator
What database administrator postings ask for that backend developer profiles usually lack: Data Modeling, Linux, Data Analysis, ETL.
Database Administrator → Backend Developer
Transition estimate: 12–24 mo.
What backend developer postings ask for that database administrator profiles usually lack: Java, REST APIs, Microservices, Python.
Open backend developer roles
Senior Backend Engineer (m/f/d) at TYTAN Technologies GmbHMunich, Bayern, GermanyTodayApply
Senior Backend Engineer at GLS/NXTBerlinTodayApply
Senior Backend Developer (m/w/d) – AI-Driven Development at Weissenberg Group GmbHWolfsburgTodayApply
Senior Java Developer for E-Commerce + Accounting SaaS company - remote in EU at Pathway Solutions GmbhHamburg · RemoteTodayApply
Open database administrator roles
- Senior Database Engineer*in 80 – 100% (w/m) at Leteam Ressources HumainesZürich, Zürich, SwitzerlandTodayApply
Senior Database Engineer at Sales-HubMexico · Remote1d agoApply
Senior Database Engineer at ServiceNowToronto, CA2d agoUnlock- Senior Database Engineer*in 80 - 100% (w/m) at Das Team AgZürich, Zürich, Switzerland6d agoApply
See the whole board for both
471 open roles across the two.
Related comparisons
- Backend Developer vs Software Engineer70% peak overlap
- Backend Developer vs Mobile Developer57% peak overlap
- Data Engineer vs Database Administrator57% peak overlap
- Backend Developer vs DevOps Engineer49% peak overlap
- BI Developer vs Database Administrator48% peak overlap
- Backend Developer vs Solutions Architect45% peak overlap
Which one do your skills favor?
Run the instrument with your own skills and both numbers recompute for you. Free.
Quick answers
Which pays more, backend developer or database administrator?
On pay, backend developers come out ahead by about $6k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $74k–$127k against $73k–$116k for database administrators. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates. By seniority and country: backend developer salary and database administrator salary.
Are backend developer and database administrator the same job?
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The skills both sets of postings want most are AWS, SQL, Azure, NoSQL.
Can a backend developer become a database administrator?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical backend developer profile covers 34% of what database administrator postings ask for. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can a database administrator become a backend developer?
Going the other way, a typical database administrator profile covers 14% of what backend developer postings ask for. Our estimate for the move is 12–24 mo. The two directions are not symmetric: backend developer to database administrator is the easier move, 34% against 14%.
How many backend developer and database administrator jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 448 backend developer openings and 23 database administrator openings, each linking to the original posting. The board refreshes every night, so the counts move with the market. Hiring the most backend developers at the moment: Inetum (14), GitLab (12), Grafanalabs (12). For database administrators: ServiceNow (2), Leteam Ressources Humaines (1), Sales-Hub (1).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.