Database Architects

SOC: 15-1243 O*NET: 15-1243.00
Median Salary
$135,980
per year
Job Growth
🚀 8.7%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

What does a Database Architects do?

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$81,630
10th percentile
Early Career
$107,900
25th percentile
Median
$135,980
50th percentile
Experienced
$169,480
75th percentile
Top Earners
$209,990
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$81,630
25th
$107,900
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$135,980
Mean: $142,620
75th
$169,480
90th
$209,990
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $128,360 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $107,900 and $169,480
  • Salary spread is 45.3% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 64,770 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:66,900

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services37.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services37.6%
Computer Systems Design and Related Services25.1%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+8.7%
Annual Openings:4,000

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)66,900
Current
2034 (Projected)72,700
+8.7%
+5,800
Employment Change
+8.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Faster than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Database Architects professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Virginia
7,140 jobs$04.18x
Texas
6,330 jobs$133,8001.09x
California
5,850 jobs$159,1300.77x
New York
4,180 jobs$128,2701.04x
North Carolina
4,060 jobs$130,5601.97x
Georgia
2,930 jobs$135,2801.43x
New Jersey
2,530 jobs$143,9001.42x
Washington
2,490 jobs$144,0501.67x
Pennsylvania
2,240 jobs$129,0400.88x
Ohio
2,230 jobs$129,8400.96x
Colorado
2,140 jobs$151,4601.76x
Florida
2,040 jobs$133,0400.49x
Missouri
1,840 jobs$108,8201.50x
Massachusetts
1,720 jobs$161,1601.12x
Illinois
1,460 jobs$134,4900.57x

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

  • Faster than average growth expected
  • High current market demand

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
80%
#5
Systems Analysis
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Programming
54%
#9
Systems Evaluation
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%

Skills Overview

Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.0
80%
Systems Analysis
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Programming
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

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Systems Analysis

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Programming

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Systems Evaluation

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Active Learning

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Computer and Information Research Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Health Informatics Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Petroleum Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Software Developers82%
5 shared skills
Web Developers82%
5 shared skills
Actuaries67%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Learn on the Job:
  • Programming
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Complex Problem Solving

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Systems Analysis

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 Architects

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 Tech

SAS

🔥 Hot Tech

The MathWorks MATLAB

🔥 Hot Tech

Docker

🔥 Hot Tech

GitHub

🔥 Hot Tech

Red Hat OpenShift

🔥 Hot Tech

Spring Boot

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Power BI

🔥 Hot Tech

Tableau

🔥 Hot Tech

Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation

🔥 Hot Tech

Splunk Enterprise

🔥 Hot Tech

Autodesk Revit

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Docker
GitHub
Red Hat OpenShift
Spring Boot
Microsoft Power BI
Tableau
Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
Splunk Enterprise
Autodesk Revit

📚 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
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL

💡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 some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (4)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Planning & Development (13)Communication & Coordination (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1

Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Set up database clusters, backup, or recovery processes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform
4

Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Planning & Development91% perform
5

Identify and correct deviations from database development standards.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Planning & Development88% perform
6

Document and communicate database schemas, using accepted notations.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Communication & Coordination85% perform
7

Develop or maintain archived procedures, procedural codes, or queries for applications.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Planning & Development82% perform
8

Develop load-balancing processes to eliminate down time for backup processes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Planning & Development79% perform
9

Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Planning & Development76% perform
10

Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Planning & Development73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% 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 Architects

💡 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 Architects professionals typically have a CIE Holland code and highly value achievement

CConventional
IInvestigative
EEnterprising

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Database Architects

Analytical Thinking

Very Important

Analytical Thinking

Importance Level4.48

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.33

Achievement/Effort

Very Important

Achievement/Effort

Importance Level4.00

Initiative

Important

Initiative

Importance Level3.95

Cooperation

Important

Cooperation

Importance Level3.90

Persistence

Important

Persistence

Importance Level3.90

Complete Work Styles Profile

Analytical Thinking
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Initiative
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Persistence
3.9
Integrity
3.9
Dependability
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.7
Leadership
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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