Computer and Mathematical · Holland code CIE
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.
Also called: Database Administration Manager, Database Administrator (DBA), Database Analyst, Systems Administrator (Systems Admin), Database Coordinator, Database Engineer, Database Manager, Development and Database Administration Manager.
O*NET 15-1242.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $104,620
- Middle half earn $79,610 to $135,460. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Most common education
- Bachelor's Degree
- 89% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Considerable preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
- Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
- Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
- Test changes to database applications or systems.
- Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
- Train users and answer questions.
- Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Critical Thinking3.9 / 5
- Reading Comprehension3.8 / 5
- Active Listening3.8 / 5
- Active Learning3.5 / 5
- Speaking3.4 / 5
- Writing3.3 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics4.8 / 5
- English Language4.0 / 5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9 / 5
- Mathematics3.5 / 5
- Telecommunications3.5 / 5
- Engineering and Technology3.5 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic31
- Investigative64
- Artistic3
- Social22
- Enterprising32
- Conventional94
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- ICT system architect · DE IT-Systemarchitekt/IT-Systemarchitektin · FR concepteur de systèmes informatiques/conceptrice de systèmes informatiques
- ICT system developer · DE IT-Systementwickler/IT-Systementwicklerin · FR développeur de systèmes informatiques/développeuse de systèmes informatiques
- data analyst · DE Datenanalytiker/Datenanalytikerin · FR analyste de données
- ICT application developer · DE IT-Anwendungsentwickler/IT-Anwendungsentwicklerin · FR concepteur de logiciels d’application/conceptrice de logiciels d’application
- database administrator · DE Datenbankadministrator/Datenbankadministratorin · FR administrateur de base de données/administratrice de base de données
- database designer · DE Datenbankdesigner/Datenbankdesignerin · FR concepteur de bases de données /conceptrice de bases de données
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- IT business analysts, architects and systems designers (2133)212,200 employed
- Programmers and software development professionals (2134)543,400 employed
- Information technology professionals n.e.c. (2139)140,000 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €61,714 |
| Germany | €59,529 |
| Ireland | €56,877 |
| Austria | €55,374 |
| Netherlands | €53,595 |
| Sweden | €43,567 |
| France | €41,515 |
| Spain | €35,735 |
| Italy | €33,649 |
| Portugal | €26,072 |
| Poland | €14,380 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
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