# Database Architects

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-architects
- SOC code: 15-1243.00
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $139,500 (10th percentile $86,240, 90th percentile $204,000)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +9.4%
- Openings a year: 3,900
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CIE)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 27 |
| Investigative (I) | 77 |
| Artistic (A) | 19 |
| Social (S) | 15 |
| Enterprising (E) | 28 |
| Conventional (C) | 85 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 94/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 91/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Processing Information (importance 85/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 82/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 81/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 78/100)
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (importance 73/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 73/100)

## Skills

Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Systems Analysis, Active Listening, Speaking, Programming, Active Learning, Systems Evaluation

## Knowledge

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

## Also called

ADP Planner (Automatic Data Processing Planner), Big Data Architect, Big Data Engineer, Cloud Architect, Cloud Infrastructure Architect, Computer Architect, Data Analyst, Data Architect, Data Engineer, Data Governance Analyst

## 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 Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1107) (CIP 1107, 1,070 colleges)
- [Computer Software and Media Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1108) (CIP 1108, 701 colleges)
- [Management Information Systems and Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5212) (CIP 5212, 550 colleges)
- [Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1109) (CIP 1109, 546 colleges)
- [Information Science/Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1104) (CIP 1104, 446 colleges)
- [Computer Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1409) (CIP 1409, 417 colleges)
- [Data Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3070) (CIP 3070, 323 colleges)
- [Computer Systems Analysis](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1105) (CIP 1105, 124 colleges)
- [Systems Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1427) (CIP 1427, 119 colleges)

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

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Computer Science | $173,492 | $268,121 | $19,000 |
| [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 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles UCLA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Computer Engineering | $137,925 | $228,705 | $17,731 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Computer Science | $171,815 | $225,141 | $10,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Computer Science | $151,551 | $223,309 | $12,500 |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Computer Science | $155,162 | $217,973 | not reported |
| [Pomona College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pomona-college-2139) | Computer Science | $100,072 | $217,051 | not reported |
| [Stanford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stanford-university-2589) | Computer Science | $157,763 | $214,907 | $12,000 |

## Related careers

- [Database Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-administrators): $104,620 median pay
- [Data Warehousing Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-warehousing-specialists): $139,500 median pay
- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Computer Systems Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-analysts): $105,850 median pay
- [Computer Systems Engineers/Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-engineers-architects): $116,580 median pay
- [Blockchain Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/blockchain-engineers): $116,580 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.