Network Administrator
Median wage · national
$99,130
Range: $78K – $127K
Employed
314K
Openings/yr
14K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Database Architect
Database Architect earn $104,620 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $79,610 and $135,460. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Database Architect
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.
- Median Wage
- $104,620
- Employed Nationally
- 70K
- Openings / Year
- 3,800
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Administrator (Admin)
Automatic Data Processing Planner (ADP Planner)
Cyber Database Administrator (Cyber DBA)
Data Administrator (Data Admin)
Data Management Associate
How Much Do Database Architects Make?
Database Architect earn $104,620 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,610 and $135,460. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$104,620
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$80K–$135K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$79,610
Entry-level
$104,620
Median
$135,460
Experienced
What Do Database Architects Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Database Architect roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Reading Comprehension
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Listening
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Where Do Database Architects Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Database Architects?
The BLS projects -0.7% employment change for Database Architect through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 3,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -0.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
3,800
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
70K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Database Architect professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $104,620 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8,360 | $111,090 | +6.2% |
| 2 | Texas | 6,110 | $109,990 | +5.1% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 5,000 | $107,800 | +3.0% |
| 4 | Virginia | 4,210 | $105,000 | +0.4% |
| 5 | Florida | 4,080 | $97,900 | -6.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Database Architect positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Information Systems | 103,827 | $92,374 | 1,579 |
| 2 | IT Administration | 46,791 | $85,063 | 1,271 |
| 3 | Computer Software & Media | 14,684 | $58,894 | 726 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Database Architects
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Database Architect, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Database Architect pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Database Architect Pros & Cons
Database Architect has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 2 upsides and 2 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $104,620 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $135,460 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -0.7% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $104,620 median while building the experience employers require.
Database Architect Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Database Architect professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Database Architect is $104,620, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,610 and $135,460. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Database Architect a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -0.7% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $104,620 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How long does it take to become a Database Architect?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Information Systems are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $104,620 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Why are Database Architect jobs declining?
The BLS projects -0.7% employment change for Database Architect through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 3,800 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 70K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
Why do Database Architect salaries vary so widely?
The $55,850 gap between the 25th ($79,610) and 75th ($135,460) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Database Architect professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Database Architect roles: Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making, and Active Listening. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
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- Master's degree
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- Median wage
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- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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