Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure a variety of data, such as financial information and customer shipping records.

Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure a variety of data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They also make sure that the data are available to authorized users.

Duties

Database administrators and architects typically do the following:

• Identify user needs to create and administer databases
• Design and build new databases
• Ensure that organizational data are secure
• Back up and restore data to prevent data loss
• Ensure that databases operate efficiently and without error
• Make and test modifications to database structure when needed
• Maintain databases and update permissions

Database administrators, often called DBAs, make sure that data analysts and other users can easily use databases to find the information they need. They also ensure that systems perform as they should by monitoring database operation and providing support.

Many databases contain personal, proprietary, or financial information. Database administrators often are responsible for planning security measures to protect this important information.

Database architects design and build new databases for systems and applications. They research the technical requirements of an organization during the design phase and then create models for building the database. Finally, they code new data architecture, integrating existing databases or infrastructure, and check for errors or inefficiencies.

The duties of database administrators and database architects may overlap. For example, administrators and architects may be generalists who work on both systems and applications. However, some DBAs specialize in certain tasks, such as maintenance, that vary with an organization and its needs. Two common specialties are as follows:

System DBAs are responsible for the physical and technical aspects of a database, such as installing upgrades and patches to fix program bugs. They ensure that the firm’s database management systems work properly.

Application DBAs do all the tasks of a general DBA focusing solely on a database for a specific application or set of applications, such as customer-service software. They may write or debug programs and must be able to manage the applications that work with the database.

Work Environment

Database administrators are often referred to as DBAs.

Database administrators held about 80,500 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of database administrators were as follows:

Database architects held about 61,400 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of database architects were as follows:

Database administrators and architects work in nearly all industries. For example, in retail they may design databases that track buyers’ shipping information; in healthcare, they may manage databases that secure patients’ medical records.

Work Schedules

Most database administrators and architects work full time.

How to Become a Database Administrator or Architect

Database administrators usually have a bachelor’s degree in an information- or computer-related subject such as computer science.

Database administrators (DBAs) and architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field.

Education

Database administrators and architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering; some DBAs study business. Employers may prefer to hire applicants who have a master’s degree focusing on data or database management, typically either in computer science, information systems, or information technology.

Database administrators and architects need an understanding of database languages, such as Structured Query Language, or SQL. DBAs will need to become familiar with whichever programming language their firm uses.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Certification is typically offered directly from software vendors or vendor-neutral certification providers. Employers may require their database administrators and architects to be certified in the products they use.

Advancement

Database administrators and architects may advance to become computer and information systems managers. Experienced database administrators may advance to become database architects.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. DBAs monitor a database system’s performance to determine when action is needed. They must evaluate information from a variety of sources to decide on an approach.

Communication skills. Most database administrators and architects work on teams and need to convey information effectively to developers, managers, and other workers.

Detail oriented. Working with databases requires an understanding of complex systems, in which a minor error can cause major problems.

Problem-solving skills. When database problems arise, administrators and architects must troubleshoot and correct the problems.

Pay

The median annual wage for database administrators was $101,510 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $54,320, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $157,710.

The median annual wage for database architects was $134,700 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $76,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $194,960.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for database administrators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

In May 2023, the median annual wages for database architects in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most database administrators and architects work full time.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of database administrators and architects is projected to grow 9 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 9,500 openings for database administrators and architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Employment growth will be driven by the continued data needs of companies in nearly all sectors of the economy.

Database administrators and architects will be needed to organize and present information to stakeholders in a user-friendly format. As organizations continue to migrate to cloud environments, and as organizations adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to process their data, these workers will be critical to ensuring proper database design, transition, backup, and security and to ensuring that connections to legacy systems remain intact.

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of database administrators and architects.

	Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2023 MEDIAN PAY
	Computer and Information Systems Managers	Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.	Bachelor's degree	$169,510
	Computer Network Architects	Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets.	Bachelor's degree	$129,840
	Computer Programmers	Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.	Bachelor's degree	$99,700
	Computer Support Specialists	Computer support specialists maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users.	See How to Become One	$60,810
	Computer Systems Analysts	Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and design ways to improve efficiency.	Bachelor's degree	$103,800
	Financial Analysts	Financial analysts guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit.	Bachelor's degree	$99,890
	Information Security Analysts	Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.	Bachelor's degree	$120,360
	Market Research Analysts	Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.	Bachelor's degree	$74,680
	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations’ computer networks and systems.	Bachelor's degree	$95,360
	Operations Research Analysts	Operations research analysts use mathematics and logic to help solve complex issues.	Bachelor's degree	$83,640
	Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers	Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.	Bachelor's degree	$130,160
	Web Developers and Digital Designers	Web developers create and maintain websites. Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability.	Bachelor's degree	$92,750

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