Database Administrators and Architects

What They Do: Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure data.

Work Environment: Many database administrators and architects work in firms that provide computer design services or in industries that have large databases, such educational institutions and insurance companies. Most database administrators and architects work full time.

How to Become One: Database administrators and architects typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field.

Salary: The median annual wage for database administrators is $96,710. The median annual wage for database architects is $123,430.

Job Outlook: Employment of database administrators and architects is projected to grow 9 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations.

Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of database administrators and architects with similar occupations.

Following is everything you need to know about a career as a database administrator or architect with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:

Top 3 Database Administrator Jobs

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• Systems Engineer with Security Clearance - Innova Solutions, Inc. - Colorado Springs, CO

  ... database administrators and software developers. Basic skills/qualifications: • Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate of Science degree from an accredited course of study, in engineering, computer ...

• Physician Assistant- Anchorage, AK - Medical Group Alaska - Anchorage, AK

  D., P.C. , dba QTC Medical Group of Alaska, collaborate closely with government and non-government customers to address current and future program needs within the health services domain. In ...

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What Database Administrators and Architects Do[About this section] [To Top]

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 of Database Administrators and Architects

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 for Database Administrators and Architects[About this section] [To Top]

Database administrators and architects hold about 168,000 jobs. The largest employers of database administrators are as follows:

Computer systems design and related services	13%
Educational services; state, local, and private	6%
Management of companies and enterprises	6%
Insurance carriers and related activities	6%
Data processing, hosting, and related services	3%

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.

Database Administrator and Architect Work Schedules

Most database administrators and architects work full time.

How to Become a Database Administrator or Architect[About this section] [To Top]

Get the education you need: Find schools for Database Administrators and Architects near you!

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

Education for Database Administrators and Architects

Database administrators and architects typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers 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. Administrators and architects will need to become familiar with whichever programming language their firm uses.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Database Administrators and Architects

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 for Database Administrators and Architects

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

Important Qualities for Database Administrators and Architects

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.

Database Administrator Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]

The median annual wage for database administrators is $96,710. 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 $48,880, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $151,400.

The median annual wage for database architects is $123,430. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $63,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $169,500.

The median annual wages for database administrators in the top industries in which they work are as follows:

Finance and insurance	$102,930
Management of companies and enterprises	$101,400
Computer systems design and related services	$101,000
Information	$99,340
Educational services; state, local, and private	$77,340

The median annual wages for database architects in the top industries in which they work are as follows:

Administrative and support services	$127,690
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services	$127,690
Finance and insurance	$127,240
Management of companies and enterprises	$126,900
Computer systems design and related services	$116,160

Most database administrators and architects work full time.

Job Outlook for Database Administrators and Architects[About this section] [To Top]

Employment of database administrators and architects is projected to grow 9 percent over the next ten years, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 11,500 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 of Database Administrators and Architects

Employment growth will be driven by the continued data needs of companies in nearly all sectors of the economy. Database administrators and database architects will be needed to organize and present information to stakeholders in a user-friendly format. As organizations continue to migrate to cloud environments, these administrators and architects will be critical to ensuring proper database design, transition, backup, and security and to ensuring that connections to legacy systems remain intact.

Employment projections data for Database Administrators and Architects, 2021-31

Occupational Title	Employment, 2021	Projected Employment, 2031	Change, 2021-31
			Percent	Numeric
Database administrators and architects	144,500	157,300	9	12,800
Database administrators	91,800	99,200	8	7,400
Database architects	52,700	58,100	10	5,400

Careers Related to Database Administrators and Architects[About this section] [To Top]

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology (IT) managers or IT project managers, plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.

Computer Network Architects

Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to next-generation networking capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers.

Computer Programmers

Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.

Computer Support Specialists

Computer support specialists provide help and advice to computer users and organizations. These specialists either support computer networks or they provide technical assistance directly to computer users.

Computer Systems Analysts

Computer systems analysts, sometimes called systems architects, study an organization's current computer systems and procedures, and design solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.

Financial Analysts

Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments.

Information Security Analysts

Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities are continually expanding as the number of cyberattacks increases.

Market Research Analysts

Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.

Operations Research Analysts

Operations research analysts use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations investigate complex issues, identify and solve problems, and make better decisions.

Software Developers

Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.

Web Developers

Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site. They are also responsible for the site's technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website's speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.

More Database Administrator and Architect Information[About this section] [To Top]

For more information about database administrators, visit

Association for Computing Machinery

Computing Research Association

IEEE Computer Society

For more information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit

National Center for Women & Information Technology