Database Administrator Jobs in Arlington, TX
Behind every Arlington employer that tracks customers, patients, inventory, or payroll is a database, and someone has to keep it fast, secure, and backed up. A homebuilder like D.R. Horton runs enormous transaction databases from its Arlington headquarters; hospitals like Medical City Arlington store years of patient records; and manufacturers track production data around the clock. Database administrators are the specialists who protect that data, and it is one of the higher-paying IT careers in the metro.
Current database administrator Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring Database Administrators
DBA roles in Arlington concentrate in corporate headquarters, healthcare, finance, and large public-sector operations that manage sensitive data at scale:
- D.R. Horton - transaction and reporting databases at the Arlington-based homebuilder headquarters, plus DHI Mortgage systems.
- Medical City Arlington - patient-data systems across a large HCA hospital.
- Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital - clinical and operational databases.
- City of Arlington - databases behind municipal services, utilities, and public safety.
- GM Arlington Assembly - production and quality databases for a high-volume plant.
- Arlington ISD - student information and administrative databases for a large district.
Database Administrator Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level (0-2 years): about $65,000 to $78,000
- Experienced (3-6 years): about $85,000 to $105,000
- Senior or lead DBA: about $110,000 to $135,000
These are local estimates that vary by employer, database platform, and on-call requirements. Full-time DBA roles typically add health insurance, a retirement match, paid time off, and paid certifications, and senior specialists in Oracle or SQL Server sit at the top of the range.
How to Become a Database Administrator in Arlington
Most Arlington DBA roles want a computer science or IT background plus platform-specific certifications. UT Arlington's computer science program is a strong local feeder, and Tarrant County College offers database and SQL coursework for those building toward the role. Common credentials are Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle certifications. Texas does not license database administrators, so degrees, certs, and hands-on experience with real production systems are what employers screen for.
What the Job Involves
A DBA designs and tunes databases, writes and optimizes queries, manages backups and recovery, controls access and security, plans capacity, and troubleshoots performance problems. The work includes maintenance windows, data-migration projects, and on-call coverage, because a database outage can halt an entire hospital or corporate operation.
Skills Employers Look For
- SQL query writing and performance tuning
- Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL administration
- Backup, recovery, and high-availability configuration
- Database security and access control
- Data migration and integration
- Scripting and automation for routine maintenance
Career Path and Advancement
Many Arlington DBAs start as systems administrators, data analysts, or SQL developers, then specialize with platform certifications. From DBA the ladder runs toward senior DBA, data engineer, database architect, or cloud data roles, all of which pay strongly across the DFW metro.
Related Careers in Arlington
If you are comparing database work to nearby Arlington IT roles, start here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a database administrator in Texas?
No. Texas does not license database administrators. Employers look for Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle certifications, a relevant degree, and experience with production databases.
How long does it take to become a database administrator in Arlington?
Most people reach a DBA role in about three to six years, often by starting as a data analyst, SQL developer, or systems admin while earning platform certifications.
Can you work as a database administrator remotely in Arlington?
Frequently, yes. A large share of DBA work is remote-friendly, though roles tied to on-premise hospital or plant systems may require some on-site presence and on-call coverage.
Which Arlington employer pays the most for database administrators?
Corporate headquarters like D.R. Horton and the major hospital systems tend to pay at the top of the local range, especially for senior DBAs specializing in Oracle or SQL Server.
Which database platform should I learn for Arlington jobs?
Microsoft SQL Server appears most often in DFW postings, with Oracle common at large enterprises and PostgreSQL rising. Strong SQL skills transfer across all of them.
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