Skills it runs on
The capabilities O*NET rates most important for this occupation — the human ground the work is built on.
See all skills →Database Architects
Occupation · SOC 15-1243.00
Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.
Also called: Database Analyst · Database Developer · Database Programmer · Information Architect · Data Architect · Data Engineer · Data Officer · Database Architect · Database Consultant · Enterprise Architect · ADP Planner (Automatic Data Processing Planner) · Big Data Architect
Job family: Computer and Mathematical Occupations
Take this to your AI
A source-stamped Markdown brief of this occupation — paste it into an agent, or fetch
/roles/role-15-1243-00/context.md directly.
AI work map
A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.
Market signal
Independent published positions, read together — not a forecast.
- Growing fast employment outlook (+8.7% by 2034)
- 4,000 openings/yr
- High AI exposure
- Median pay $135,980/yr
98th-percentile task overlap — yet about 4,000 openings a year (+8.7% projected, BLS) . What exposure means →
AI & job outlook
What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.
Exposure to current AI
Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.
| Measure | Rank vs all occupations | Percentile | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) High | 95th | 1.0 | |
| AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) High | 91st | 0.3 |
OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.8), with simple added tooling (β 0.9), and including AI-powered software (γ 1.0). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.
How AI is actually used in this job
Among measured AI assistant conversations mapped to this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15), these task types came up most. These are shares of observed AI conversations — not shares of the job, of worker time, or of what could be automated.
| Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications. | 34.5% | |
| Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements. | 28.1% | |
| Design database applications, such as interfaces, data transfer mechanisms, global temporary tables, data partitions, and function-based indexes to enable efficient access of the generic database structure. | 8.1% | |
| Demonstrate database technical functionality, such as performance, security and reliability. | 5.9% | |
| Develop and document database architectures. | 5.7% | |
| Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance. | 4.8% |
Job outlook
Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.
| Outlook | Growing fast · +8.7% by 2034 |
| Projected annual openings | 4,000 |
| Employment 2024 → 2034 | 66,900 → 72,700 |
“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.
Tasks
All 25 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.
- Develop and document database architectures. Core · importance 4.5
- Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements. Core · importance 4.5
- Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements. Core · importance 4.5
- Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability. Core · importance 4.4
- Design database applications, such as interfaces, data transfer mechanisms, global temporary tables, data partitions, and function-based indexes to enable efficient access of the generic database structure. Core · importance 4.1
- Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures. Core · importance 4.1
- Develop methods for integrating different products so they work properly together, such as customizing commercial databases to fit specific needs. · importance 4.0
- Create and enforce database development standards. Core · importance 4.0
- Develop data model describing data elements and their use, following procedures and using pen, template or computer software. · importance 4.0
- Document and communicate database schemas, using accepted notations. Core · importance 4.0
- Work as part of a project team to coordinate database development and determine project scope and limitations. · importance 3.9
- Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management. · importance 3.9
- Set up database clusters, backup, or recovery processes. Core · importance 3.9
- Demonstrate database technical functionality, such as performance, security and reliability. Core · importance 3.8
- Develop load-balancing processes to eliminate down time for backup processes. Core · importance 3.7
- Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance. Core · importance 3.7
- Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance. Core · importance 3.7
- Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications. · importance 3.6
- Identify and correct deviations from database development standards. Core · importance 3.6
- Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project. · importance 3.5
- Write and code logical and physical database descriptions, and specify identifiers of database to management system or direct others in coding descriptions. · importance 3.5
- Develop or maintain archived procedures, procedural codes, or queries for applications. Core · importance 3.3
- Provide technical support to junior staff or clients. Core · importance 3.2
- Establish and calculate optimum values for database parameters, using manuals and calculator. · importance 3.1
- Train users and answer questions. · importance 2.5
Work activities
- Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
- Develop database parameters or specifications.
- Evaluate utility of software or hardware technologies.
- Provide recommendations to others about computer hardware.
- Create databases to store electronic data.
- Install computer software.
- Resolve computer software problems.
- Document design or development procedures.
- Communicate project information to others.
- Develop procedures for data management.
- Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information.
- Design computer modeling or simulation programs.
- Develop models of information or communications systems.
- Assess database performance.
- Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.
- Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
- Document technical specifications or requirements.
- Develop guidelines for system implementation.
- Analyze market or customer related data.
- Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
- Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.
- Modify software programs to improve performance.
- Train others in computer interface or software use.
- Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
- Write computer programming code.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
Knowledge
| Computers and Electronics | 4.3 | |
| Engineering and Technology | 4.0 | |
| Design | 3.7 | |
| Mathematics | 3.7 | |
| English Language | 3.1 |
Essential skills
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.5 | |
| Speaking | 3.5 | |
| Active Learning | 3.3 | |
| Writing | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
Transferable skills
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 | |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 | |
| Programming | 3.4 | |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.3 | |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 | |
| Technology Design | 3.0 |
Abilities
| Oral Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Written Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.9 | |
| Oral Expression | 3.8 | |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.8 | |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.8 | |
| Information Ordering | 3.8 | |
| Near Vision | 3.6 | |
| Speech Clarity | 3.6 | |
| Category Flexibility | 3.4 | |
| Written Expression | 3.3 | |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.3 | |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.3 | |
| Selective Attention | 3.3 | |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.1 | |
| Number Facility | 3.1 | |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.1 |
Skills in demand
Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.
Showing the top 40 of 135.
Tools & technology
Showing the top 40 of 322.
Work context
How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.
How to get in
- Job zone
- Zone 4 — Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement
- Related experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Preparation level
- SVP (7.0 to < 8.0) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.
What to study: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services , Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services , Engineering , Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.
Education of current workers
Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.
| Bachelor's Degree | 76.2% | |
| Master's Degree | 14.3% | |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.8% | |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.8% |
Interests & work styles
The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.
Interest areas
| Information Technology | 6.6 | |
| Mathematics/Statistics | 4.0 | |
| Management/Administration | 2.8 | |
| Engineering | 2.2 | |
| Accounting | 2.0 |
Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)
| Conventional | 6.1 | |
| Investigative | 5.6 | |
| Enterprising | 2.7 | |
| Realistic | 2.6 | |
| Artistic | 2.2 |
Work styles
| Dependability | 6.0 | |
| Attention to Detail | 5.0 | |
| Cautiousness | 4.0 | |
| Intellectual Curiosity | 3.0 | |
| Achievement Orientation | 2.1 | |
| Innovation | 2.0 |
Wages & employment
U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)
| 10th percentile | $81,630 |
| 25th percentile | $107,900 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 |
| 75th percentile | $169,480 |
| 90th percentile | $209,990 |
| People employed | 64,770 |
Industries that employ this occupation
Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.
| Industry | Workers | National median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 24,380 | $138,610 |
| Finance and Insurance · Sector | 9,580 | $138,540 |
| Information · Sector | 8,510 | $151,460 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 6,710 | $134,330 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector | 3,560 | $136,890 |
| Wholesale Trade · Sector | 2,900 | $129,820 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 2,020 | $140,630 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance · Sector | 2,020 | $123,410 |
| Manufacturing · Sector | 1,900 | $129,460 |
| Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers · National industry | 1,660 | $132,860 |
| Educational Services · Sector | 1,480 | $108,410 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 730 | $127,520 |
Where this work is most concentrated
Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).
| Industry | Concentration | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers · National industry | 8.8× | 1,660 |
| Information · Sector | 6.97× | 8,510 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 5.69× | 6,710 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 5.39× | 24,380 |
| Finance and Insurance · Sector | 3.66× | 9,580 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 1.81× | 2,020 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 1.5× | 730 |
| Utilities · Sector | 1.31× | 320 |
Related occupations
Part of the Digital Technology career cluster.
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Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.
What you can do with this
Options the data surfaces for Database Architects — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.
Skills that travel
Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.
Adjacent roles
Occupations O*NET rates as related — the nearby moves on the map.
Paths in
How people typically prepare for this work.
- Bachelor's degree · typical entry level
- Job zone 4 — Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed · preparation tier
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services · field of study
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services · field of study
Zoom out
See where this work sits in the bigger picture.
Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation
Database Architects show 98th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 4,000 annual U.S. openings
- Database Architects rank in the 98th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
- The occupation is projected to see about 4,000 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- BLS projects employment to be growing fast (+8.7%) from 2024 to 2034.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- Median annual pay is $135,980, across about 64,770 U.S. workers.BLS OEWS (May 2024)
Copy the whole kit
Database Architects show 98th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 4,000 annual U.S. openings • Database Architects rank in the 98th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE) • The occupation is projected to see about 4,000 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • BLS projects employment to be growing fast (+8.7%) from 2024 to 2034. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • Median annual pay is $135,980, across about 64,770 U.S. workers. (BLS OEWS (May 2024)) Source: Singulariki — "Database Architects". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1243-00 Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom
Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Plain
Singulariki. "Database Architects." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1243-00
APA
Singulariki. (2026). Database Architects. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1243-00
BibTeX
@misc{singulariki-role-15-1243-00,
title = {Database Architects},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1243-00}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.