Career Trends: Database Administrators

Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They make sure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access.

Almost all database administrators work full time. About 1 in 5 worked more than 40 hours per week in 2014.

Database administrators usually have a bachelor’s degree in an information- or computer- related subject such as computer science. Before becoming an administrator, these workers typically get work experience in a related field.

Employment of database administrators is projected to grow 11 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in this occupation will be driven by the increased data needs of companies across the economy.

This occupation supported 118,700 jobs in 2012 and 120,000 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 1.1%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 15.1% in 2022 to 136,600 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 122,200, compared with an observed value of 120,000, 1.8% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 11.3% in 2024 to 133,400 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 140,100 jobs for 2024, 5.0% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.