How much does a database administrator make?

The median pay is $50.30 per hour — roughly $104,500 a year, with the real range running from about $28.96/hr (10th percentile) to $78.52/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a database administrator?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

What does a database administrator actually do all 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.

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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.

What it pays
Database Administrators earn a median of $50.30/hr — about $104,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $28.96/hr; the top 10% earn $78.52/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually 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.
Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; much of the day is spent working solo; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 1.2% of database administrators are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused and analytical.

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Quick questions

How much does a database administrator make?: The median pay is $50.30 per hour — roughly $104,500 a year, with the real range running from about $28.96/hr (10th percentile) to $78.52/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a database administrator?: The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
What does a database administrator actually do all 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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