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Technology

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$104,620

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$60k – $163k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $109,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Database Administrators

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

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How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$40,300–$152,000

Time to qualify

4.3 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    Industry certification (optional)

    Certification

    Vendor certifications (AWS, CompTIA, Google, Microsoft…) are a common entry booster, rarely a hard requirement.

    $300–$2,000 · 3 months source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Database Administrators" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Database Administrators Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Database Administrators

    Entry / Junior

    $60,230

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Database Administrators

    Established

    $104,620

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Database Administrators

    Senior

    $133,970

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Technology

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.