For ensuring job satisfaction, nothing's better than a nice fat paycheck. So let's cut to the chase. According to SQL Server Magazine's 2004 salary survey, who is the highest paid SQL Server professional? With a base salary of $250,000 to $299,999, he's a white male in his thirties with some college (maybe a bachelor's degree), 11 to 15 years' experience in IT, and at least one Microsoft certification. He likely works for a mid-sized (500 to 5000 employees) European financial or telecommunications company. He enjoys his job and feels he is well compensated. And...he's a DBA.

A D...