Where AI can help
AI can explain queries, draft scripts and summarize logs.
Technology · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Database Administrators
Keep databases reliable, available and protected. They manage access, monitor performance and plan recovery when systems fail.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection-0.1%2025–2035
Education typically neededBachelor’s degreeBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Configure and maintain databases
- 02
Control permissions and protect information
- 03
Monitor queries, capacity and availability
- 04
Plan backups, restoration and continuity
- 05
Support teams with data modeling and migrations
An example of an output
A documented and monitored database with reviewed permissions and tested recovery.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Infrastructure and data teams in organizations with critical systems. On-call work and controlled changes can be part of the role.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$110,090
Median annual pay$104,620
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$60,230
90th percentile$163,320
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 202575,000
Projected openings per year3,300
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Permissions, migration impact and data recovery require responsibility and environment knowledge.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Create a synthetic database, document its model, simulate a migration and restore a backup without losing records.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Bachelor’s degree
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Data modelingsecuritydiagnosticsrecovery planning
Tools you may encounter
SQL · database systems · monitoring · backup and recovery
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$132,510 Mean annual pay
Information Security Analysts ↗
Permissions, availability and recovery are starting points for data security work.
- What you can carry over
- Access, infrastructure and investigation
- What you would need to learn
- Threats, risk, incident response and controls
What to consider
Operating a database does not cover the full security cycle or replace related experience.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Create a synthetic database, document its model, simulate a migration and restore a backup without losing records.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Database AdministratorsSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 15-1242.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗