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
SOC: 15-1242 O*NET: 15-1242.00
Median Salary
$104,620
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.7%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Database Administrators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$56,820
10th percentile
Early Career
$76,100
25th percentile
Median
$104,620
50th percentile
Experienced
$132,850
75th percentile
Top Earners
$160,890
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$56,820
25th
$76,100
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$104,620
Mean: $107,440
75th
$132,850
90th
$160,890
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $104,070 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $76,100 and $132,850
- •Salary spread is 54.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 73,180 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:78,000
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services25.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services25.1%
Computer Systems Design and Related Services15.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.7%
Annual Openings:3,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)78,000
Current
2034 (Projected)77,500
-0.7%
-500
Employment Change
-0.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Database Administrators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
8,360 jobs$111,0900.98x
Texas
6,110 jobs$109,9900.93x
Pennsylvania
5,000 jobs$107,8001.75x
Virginia
4,210 jobs$105,0002.18x
Florida
4,080 jobs$97,9000.88x
New York
3,680 jobs$106,9400.81x
Georgia
3,020 jobs$106,1001.31x
Maryland
2,640 jobs$122,1102.03x
Illinois
2,290 jobs$101,0700.80x
Washington
2,190 jobs$114,7001.30x
New Jersey
2,060 jobs$128,9701.02x
North Carolina
1,990 jobs$108,4300.86x
Alabama
1,990 jobs$88,5602.01x
Massachusetts
1,940 jobs$117,4201.12x
Ohio
1,770 jobs$94,0200.67x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Complex Problem Solving
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Programming
60%
#8
Speaking
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Programming
intermediate3.0
60%
Speaking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Programming
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Anthropologists and Archeologists82%
5 shared skills
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Programming
- →Speaking
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Database Administrators
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechDocker
🔥 Hot TechGitHub
🔥 Hot TechRed Hat OpenShift
🔥 Hot TechSpring Boot
🔥 Hot TechApache Spark
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Power BI
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
🔥 Hot TechSplunk Enterprise
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Docker
GitHub
Red Hat OpenShift
Spring Boot
Apache Spark
Microsoft Power BI
Tableau
Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
Splunk Enterprise
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (6)Management & Supervision (3)General Responsibilities (5)Training & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)
1
Develop standards and guidelines for the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Train users and answer questions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Develop data models describing data elements and how they are used, following procedures and using pen, template, or computer software.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Review procedures in database management system manuals to make changes to database.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Select and enter codes to monitor database performance and to create production databases.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Database Administrators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Database Administrators professionals typically have a CIE Holland code and highly value working conditions
CConventional
IInvestigative
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Database Administrators
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.14
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.14
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.02
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.00
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.99
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.88
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.1
Attention to Detail
4.1
Persistence
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Dependability
4.0
Initiative
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Stress Tolerance
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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