The median pay for Database Administrators is $104,620 a year ($50.30/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 0.1% through 2035, with about 3,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 15-1242
- Computer and Mathematical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Database Administrator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $104,620a year, or $50.30/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $60KTop 10% $163K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -0.1%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−0.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −0.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,30075,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202575K
- Projected 203574.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 75K Projected 2035 74.9K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate0.2%
- Some college2.2%
- Associate's3.5%
- Bachelor's89%
- Post-bacc certificate3.9%
- Master's1.3%
Highest education held by database administrators Segment Value Certificate 0.2% Some college 2.2% Associate's 3.5% Bachelor's 89% Post-bacc certificate 3.9% Master's 1.3%
Also advertised as: Database Administration Manager, Database Administrator (DBA), Database Analyst, Database Coordinator, Database Engineer, Database Manager.
Pay
How much do Database Administrators make?
Every database administrator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$104,620
Middle half earn $79,610 to $135,460
- 10th
- $60,230
- 25th
- $79,610
- 75th
- $135,460
- 90th
- $163,320
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $60,230 |
| 25th | $79,610 |
| Median | $104,620 |
| 75th | $135,460 |
| 90th | $163,320 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $104,620
- Median hourly wage
- $50.30/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $110,090
- People employed
- 69,990
Versus all US occupations
At $104,620, Database Administrators earn 105% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $53,640 a year.
Versus computer and mathematical occupations
Inside the Computer and Mathematical group, where the middle occupation pays $116,580, this is 10% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $163,320 or more while the bottom 10% earn $60,230, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 79% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Utah pays the most at $135,750, and still leads at $137,310 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Database Administrators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Utah | $135,750 | $137,310 | 1,200 |
| 2Massachusetts | $129,300 | $122,261 | 2,310 |
| 3New Jersey | $125,860 | $115,675 | 1,810 |
| 4Maryland | $124,300 | $118,427 | 2,300 |
| 5District of Columbia | $118,540 | $107,861 | 560 |
| 6Colorado | $118,340 | $114,835 | 1,220 |
| 7Washington | $118,140 | $110,398 | 1,730 |
| 8Tennessee | $115,500 | $125,721 | 2,020 |
| 9Texas | $114,400 | $117,869 | 6,430 |
| 10North Carolina | $113,900 | $120,751 | 1,920 |
Job outlook
Is Database Administrator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -0.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Database Administrators | −0.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Database Administrators to change -0.1% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,300 openings are projected each year, 4.4% of the 75,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of database administrators and architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
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.
Projected employment of database administrators and architects varies by occupation. (See table.)
Database administrators and architects will be needed to organize and present information to stakeholders in a user-friendly format.
Getting in
How to become a Database Administrator
Database administrators (DBAs) and architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as database administrators.
- Bachelor's Degree89%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate3.9%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree3.5%
- Some College Courses2.2%
- Master's Degree1.3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 89% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.9% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 3.5% |
| Some College Courses | 2.2% |
| Master's Degree | 1.3% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Database Administrator do?
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.
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
- Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
- Test changes to database applications or systems.
- Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.
- Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.
- Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system, or direct others in coding descriptions.
- Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.
- Develop data models describing data elements and how they are used, following procedures and using pen, template, or computer software.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most database administrators and architects work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where database administrators work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Computer systems design and related services14%
- Finance and insurance12%
- Educational services; state, local, and private11%
- Information8%
- Management of companies and enterprises7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Computer systems design and related services | 14% |
| Finance and insurance | 12% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 11% |
| Information | 8% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Active Learning3.5
- Speaking3.4
- Writing3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Mathematics3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Programming3.4
- Operations Analysis3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Programming | 3.4 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Application server software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Configuration management software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base reporting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Data mining software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Database Administrator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Database Administrator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 7 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Conventional6.6
- Investigative4.8
- Enterprising2.9
- Realistic2.8
- Social2.3
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Database Administrator
O*NET related occupations
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
Network and Computer Systems Administrator
$99,130median a year
Most earn $63K to $155K
−4.1%Bachelor's - Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
More computer and mathematical careers
Median annual pay, with database administrators highlighted
- Software Developer$135,980
- Actuary$130,000
- Information Security Analyst$129,180
- Data Scientist$120,230
- Business Intelligence Analyst$120,230
- Database Administrator$104,620
- Web Designer$104,000
- Computer Programmer$100,390
- Web Developer$92,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | $135,980 |
| Actuary | $130,000 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,180 |
| Data Scientist | $120,230 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $120,230 |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 |
| Web Designer | $104,000 |
| Computer Programmer | $100,390 |
| Web Developer | $92,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Database Administrator appears on
Questions
Database Administrator: frequently asked questions
How much do Database Administrators make?
Database Administrators earn a median of $104,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 105% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $50.30/hr. The middle half earn between $79,610 and $135,460. The top 10% earn $163,320 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Database Administrator?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Database Administrators, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 89.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Database Administrator a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.1% over 2025–2035, a loss of 100 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Database Administrator do?
Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure a variety of data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. A core O*NET task: modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Application server software, Business intelligence and data analysis software.
Which states pay Database Administrators the most?
The highest state medians for Database Administrators are Utah ($135,750), Massachusetts ($129,300), New Jersey ($125,860) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Database Administrator?
O*NET scores Database Administrators highest on the Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.