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.

$123,100
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+4% projected 2024–2034
Bachelor's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Database administrators keep an organization's data organized, secure, and accessible to the people who need it. They work behind the scenes to ensure databases run smoothly and efficiently, whether those databases contain customer information, financial records, medical data, or inventory details. On any given day, they might troubleshoot performance issues when queries run too slowly, implement backup systems to prevent data loss, or grant and revoke user access permissions to maintain security. They monitor database capacity and plan for future storage needs as data grows.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY
$185,150
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Harvard University, MA
$158,673
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(masters)University of Virginia-Main Campus, VA
$156,433
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(doctoral)Capella University, MN
$152,737
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA
$150,671
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)University of California-San Diego, CA
$146,806
Computer and Information Sciences(bachelors)University of Pennsylvania, PA
$146,204
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(masters)Georgetown University, DC
$139,527
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$139,520
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Carnegie Mellon University, PA
$138,781
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)University of California-Los Angeles, CA
$136,659
Computer and Information Sciences(bachelors)University of California-Los Angeles, CA
$136,099
Computer Software and Media Applications(masters)University of Southern California, CA
$134,800
Computer and Information Sciences(bachelors)Yale University, CT
$133,293
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)California Lutheran University, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Northeastern University Oakland, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Loyola Marymount University, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)California State University-Chico, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Notre Dame de Namur University, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Pacific States University, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)California State University-Fullerton, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)Naval Postgraduate School, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)California Miramar University, CA
$132,126
Computer and Information Sciences(masters)California State University-Los Angeles, CA
$132,126

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