# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-administrators
- SOC code: 15-1242.00
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $104,620 (10th percentile $60,230, 90th percentile $163,320)
- Projected growth: Little or no change, -0.1%
- Openings a year: 3,300
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CIE)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 31 |
| Investigative (I) | 64 |
| Artistic (A) | 3 |
| Social (S) | 22 |
| Enterprising (E) | 32 |
| Conventional (C) | 94 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 96/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 80/100)
- Getting Information (importance 78/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 78/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 75/100)
- Processing Information (importance 73/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 72/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 71/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 69/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 68/100)

## Skills

Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Programming, Speaking, Monitoring, Writing

## Knowledge

Computers and Electronics, English Language, Customer and Personal Service, Mathematics, Telecommunications, Engineering and Technology, Administration and Management, Education and Training, Design, Economics and Accounting

## Also called

Administrator (Admin), Automatic Data Processing Planner (ADP Planner), Cyber Database Administrator (Cyber DBA), Data Administrator (Data Admin), Data Engineer, Data Management Associate, Data Management IT Specialist (Data Management Information Technology Specialist), Data Miner, Data Recovery Planner, Data Security Administrator

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1101) (CIP 1101, 1,547 colleges)
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1110) (CIP 1110, 1,184 colleges)
- [Computer Software and Media Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1108) (CIP 1108, 701 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $143,850 | $241,380 | $11,000 |
| [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/johns-hopkins-university-1344) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $118,344 | $196,467 | $7,625 |
| [Yale University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/yale-university-3312) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $180,081 | $188,157 | $15,500 |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $137,154 | $187,437 | $19,870 |
| [Rice University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rice-university-2227) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $156,465 | $182,443 | $8,375 |
| [Wellesley College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wellesley-college-3189) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $105,692 | $177,213 | $6,500 |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $127,472 | $172,904 | $19,250 |
| [Northeastern University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northeastern-university-1923) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $124,222 | $163,708 | $19,500 |

## Related careers

- [Database Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-architects): $139,500 median pay
- [Computer Systems Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-analysts): $105,850 median pay
- [Network and Computer Systems Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/network-and-computer-systems-administrators): $99,130 median pay
- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Computer Systems Engineers/Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-engineers-architects): $116,580 median pay
- [Data Warehousing Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-warehousing-specialists): $139,500 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.