Career profile · 15-1243
Database Architects
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.
What the work can involve
- Develop and document database architectures.
- Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
- Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
- Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability.
- Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.
- 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.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This O*NET group commonly calls for substantial preparation, often including a bachelor’s degree or considerable relevant experience. An introductory vocational course alone may not provide an entry route.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Working with Computers
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
- Computer and Information Sciences, General463 institutions →
- Information Technology449 institutions →
- Information Science/Studies144 institutions →
- Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst54 institutions →
- Computer Science329 institutions →
- Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration101 institutions →
- Cloud Computing60 institutions →
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance608 institutions →
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Contact with others most of the time | 47.6%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Never | 85.7%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 95.2%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 95.2%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Spend Time Sitting | Continually or almost continually | 81.0%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Spend Time Standing | Less than half the time | 81.0%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | Never | 47.6%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Time Pressure | Once a week or more but not every day | 52.4%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Never | 95.2%08/2023 · sample 21 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 81.0%08/2023 · sample 21 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Access software: Access management software, Citrix cloud computing software
- Administration software: Redgate SQL Server
- Analytical or scientific software: IBM SPSS Statistics, Infobright Community Edition ICE, Minitab, SAS
- Application server software: Docker, GitHub, Oracle Application Server, Oracle WebLogic Server
- Backup or archival software: Acronis Recovery Expert, BMC Software Recovery Manager RMAN, Data Recovery Software SQL Server Data Recovery, Database cloning software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software: IBM Cognos Impromptu, Micosoft SQL Server Analysis Services SSAS, MicroStrategy, Microsoft Power BI
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Google Drive
- Cloud-based management software: Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, IBM WebSphere, Jitterbit, Splunk Enterprise
- Cloud-based protection or security software: SolarWinds
- Clustering software: Cluster server software, Oracle Real Application Cluster RAC, VMware
- Communications server software: IBM Domino
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk Revit
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for database architects
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 49 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $105,450 | $50.70 | 270 |
| Alaska | $112,500 | $54.09 | 70 |
| Arizona | $156,100 | $75.05 | 1,200 |
| Arkansas | $104,070 | $50.04 | 360 |
| California | $170,160 | $81.81 | 6,210 |
| Colorado | $154,560 | $74.31 | 1,950 |
| Connecticut | $144,460 | $69.45 | 1,140 |
| Delaware | $147,800 | $71.06 | Not published |
| District of Columbia | $150,010 | $72.12 | 790 |
| Florida | $138,320 | $66.50 | 1,810 |
| Georgia | $139,500 | $67.07 | 2,590 |
| Hawaii | $134,040 | $64.44 | 60 |
| Idaho | $121,380 | $58.36 | 260 |
| Illinois | $142,500 | $68.51 | 1,590 |
| Indiana | $132,830 | $63.86 | 500 |
| Iowa | $124,040 | $59.64 | 240 |
| Kansas | $129,990 | $62.50 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $125,400 | $60.29 | 350 |
| Maine | $133,120 | $64.00 | 190 |
| Maryland | $132,940 | $63.92 | 1,370 |
| Massachusetts | $161,650 | $77.72 | 2,690 |
| Michigan | $131,000 | $62.98 | 1,390 |
| Minnesota | $133,050 | $63.96 | 1,240 |
| Mississippi | $98,420 | $47.32 | 100 |
| Missouri | $110,570 | $53.16 | 1,410 |
| Montana | $109,990 | $52.88 | Not published |
| Nebraska | $134,320 | $64.58 | 610 |
| Nevada | $140,200 | $67.40 | 420 |
| New Hampshire | $139,990 | $67.31 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $120,790 | $58.07 | 3,090 |
| New Mexico | $117,950 | $56.71 | 120 |
| New York | $141,350 | $67.96 | 3,850 |
| North Carolina | $134,630 | $64.73 | 4,070 |
| North Dakota | $109,430 | $52.61 | 60 |
| Ohio | $132,910 | $63.90 | 1,820 |
| Oklahoma | $110,110 | $52.94 | 860 |
| Oregon | $138,250 | $66.46 | 730 |
| Pennsylvania | Not published | Not published | 2,840 |
| Rhode Island | $140,320 | $67.46 | 160 |
| South Carolina | $130,000 | $62.50 | 1,160 |
| South Dakota | $136,540 | $65.64 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $115,170 | $55.37 | 650 |
| Texas | $151,370 | $72.77 | 8,270 |
| Utah | $131,740 | $63.34 | 630 |
| Virginia | $160,360 | $77.09 | 5,260 |
| Washington | $128,760 | $61.90 | 2,990 |
| West Virginia | Not published | Not published | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $137,810 | $66.26 | 520 |
| Wyoming | Not published | Not published | 160 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 142 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
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Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 15-1243.00.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.