Find Out the nth Highest Salary in SQL

In database management, SQL (Structured Query Language) is a powerful tool that allows users to retrieve and manipulate data. One such task in SQL is finding the nth highest salary from a table. In this blog, we will walk you through the basics of database management systems, how to find the nth max salary in SQL, and more.

Understanding SQL

SQL is a popular and widely used programming language. Users can create, retrieve, update, and delete data using the standard set of commands and functions it offers to interface with databases. Numerous sectors use SQL since it is regarded as a necessary skill for data workers.

According to a study, SQL has been in the industry for almost half a century now. It is also predicted that it will continue to grow and become even more renowned in the future.

Basics of Database Management Systems

Database Management Systems (DBMS) are software applications created to facilitate the creation and management of databases. They provide users with an interface to interact with databases, enabling the execution of SQL queries and the performance of various data operations. DBMS ensures the integrity of data, implements security measures, and enables efficient storage and retrieval of information. Prominent examples of DBMSs in use today include MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL.

Confused about how to start your journey as a data analyst? Join our data analyst course with placement and get a guarantee.

Introduction to Salary Data and Database Tables

In the context of SQL, where the objective is to find the nth highest salary, it becomes necessary to work with a database table containing salary data. A database table represents a structured collection of interconnected data, organized into rows and columns. Each row corresponds to a specific record, while each column represents a distinct attribute or field.

For example, let’s consider a table called “Employees” with columns like “EmployeeID”, “Name”, and “Salary”.

How to find nth highest salary in SQL?

To find nth highest salary in SQL, there are various techniques available. These techniques primarily revolve around the use of SQL functions, keywords, and operators. Their main task is to sort and filter data based on salary values.

Using the LIMIT Clause

An effective approach to determine the nth highest salary involves utilizing the LIMIT clause within SQL queries. The LIMIT clause serves the purpose of limiting the number of rows that are returned by a query. By incorporating the LIMIT clause alongside the ORDER BY clause, it becomes possible to retrieve the salary that corresponds to the nth highest value.

Example:

SELECT salary
FROM employees
ORDER BY salary DESC
LIMIT n-1, 1;

In the above example, ‘n’ represents the position of the desired salary. The ORDER BY clause sorts the salaries in descending order, and the LIMIT clause selects the nth row (n-1 offset) and retrieves the corresponding salary value.

The “employee” table is as follows:

Employee ID	Salary
101	50000
102	60000
103	75000
104	55000
105	90000
106	80000

The output of the code with the LIMIT clause will be:

Salary
80000

Using Subqueries

Another approach to finding the nth highest salary is by utilizing subqueries. Subqueries allow you to nest queries within another query, enabling you to break down complex tasks into simpler steps.

Example:

In this example, the subquery retrieves the nth highest salary using the same technique mentioned in the previous method. The outer query then selects the records with a salary equal to the nth highest salary.

SELECT salary
FROM employees
WHERE salary = (
    SELECT DISTINCT salary
    FROM employees
    ORDER BY salary DESC
    LIMIT n-1, 1
);

Output (if n-1=2):

Salary
75000

Using RANK() or DENSE_RANK()

SQL provides ranking functions like RANK() and DENSE_RANK() that assign a rank to each row based on a specific ordering. These functions can be leveraged to find the nth highest salary.

Example:

SELECT salary
FROM (
    SELECT salary, RANK() OVER (ORDER BY salary DESC) as salary_rank
    FROM employees
) ranked_employees
WHERE salary_rank = n;

In this example, the RANK() function assigns a rank to each row based on the descending order of salaries. The outer query then selects the salary where the rank is equal to ‘n’.

Output (if n=4):

Salary
60000

Using the ROW_NUMBER() Function

The ROW_NUMBER() function is another ranking function in SQL that assigns a unique number to each row in the result set. By combining the ROW_NUMBER() function with the ORDER BY clause, we can find the nth highest salary.

Example:

In the below example, the ROW_NUMBER() function generates a unique row number for each row, ordered by descending salaries. The outer query selects the salary where the row number matches ‘n’.

SELECT salary
FROM (
    SELECT salary, ROW_NUMBER() OVER (ORDER BY salary DESC) as row_num
    FROM employees
) numbered_employees
WHERE row_num = n;

Output (if n=4):

Salary
60000

Read our blog to learn how to find the second highest salary in SQL.

What is the nth Max Salary in SQL?

The nth maximum salary in SQL refers to the salary value that ranks at the nth position when salaries are sorted in descending order. It represents the salary that holds the nth highest value among all the salaries in a database table. This concept is commonly used in data analysis and database management to retrieve specific salary values based on their ranking.

How to Find the nth Max Salary in SQL

The concept of finding the nth maximum salary in SQL is similar to finding the nth highest salary. It involves retrieving the salary value that ranks at the nth position when salaries are sorted in descending order.

To find the nth maximum salary in SQL, we can use similar techniques as finding the nth highest salary. Let’s explore two common methods:

Using the LIMIT Clause

The LIMIT clause allows us to restrict the number of rows returned by a query. By combining the LIMIT clause with the ORDER BY clause, we can retrieve the nth maximum salary.

Example:

SELECT salary
FROM employees
ORDER BY salary DESC
LIMIT n-1, 1;

In the above example, ‘n’ represents the position of the desired maximum salary. The ORDER BY clause sorts the salaries in descending order, and the LIMIT clause selects the nth row (n-1 offset) and retrieves the corresponding salary value.

Output (if n-1=3):

Salary
55000

This is the 4th highest salary.

Using Subqueries

Similar to finding the nth highest salary, subqueries can be used to find the nth maximum salary.

Example:

In the below example, the subquery retrieves the nth maximum salary using the same technique mentioned in the previous method. The outer query then selects the records with a salary equal to the nth maximum salary.

SELECT salary
FROM employees
WHERE salary = (
    SELECT DISTINCT salary
    FROM employees
    ORDER BY salary DESC
    LIMIT n-1, 1
);

Output (if n-1=2):

Salary
75000

This is the 3rd highest salary.

These methods can be applied to any database table that stores salary information by just replacing ’employees’ with the appropriate table name in the examples. It assumes that there are no duplicate salary values. If there are duplicate salaries and you want to consider them in the ranking, you can modify the queries accordingly by using the RANK() or DENSE_RANK() functions.

Conclusion

Finding the nth highest salary in SQL is a task that can be accomplished using various techniques. By employing the ORDER BY and LIMIT clauses in SQL queries, we can easily retrieve the desired salary value. It is important to ensure the correct implementation of these clauses, considering the sorting order and accounting for any ties in the dataset.

Also, You can learn SQL online with certification courses and grab your desired job opportunities.