Career Explorer Computing and maths
Changing shape
Database administrators
Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 3% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by -0.1% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on creative vision and ethical judgement.
AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.
- Median pay (2025)
- $104,620
- Job growth to 2035
- -0.1%
- Openings a year
- 3,300
- People doing it (2025)
- 75,000
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Evaluate the characteristics, usefulness, or performance of products or technologies
- Advise others on the design or use of technologies
- Process digital or online data
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Design databases
- Implement security measures for computer or information systems
- Direct scientific or technical activities
What the work looks like
- Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
- Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
- Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
- Test changes to database applications or systems.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as this occupation's tasks are increasingly automated and consolidated into other roles.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Computer occupations, all otherGrows with AI, Index 14, +5.1%
- Information security analystsGrows with AI, Index 24, +21.0%
- Hydrologic techniciansChanging shape, Index 13, -1.3%
- ActuariesGrows with AI, Index 32, +9.2%
Also known as: Database Administration Manager, Database Administrator (DBA), Database Analyst, Systems Administrator (Systems Admin), Database Coordinator, Database Engineer, Database Manager, Development and Database Administration Manager.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.