Database architects
SOC Code: 15-1243
Database architects carries a 55% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $135,980 and +8.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 66,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 55% AI exposure, Database architects sits 18 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 91% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Database architects sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Database architects has ai exposure of 55%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Database architects vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Database architects is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Database architects (SOC 15-1243) carries an AI exposure score of 55%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 66,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +8.7% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $135,980, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Database architects. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Develop and document database architectures.
- 2. Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
- 3. Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
- 4. Develop data warehouse process models, including sourcing, loading, transformation, and extraction.
- 5. Verify the structure, accuracy, or quality of warehouse data.
- 6. Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability.
- 7. Map data between source systems, data warehouses, and data marts.
- 8. Develop and implement data extraction procedures from other systems, such as administration, billing, or claims.
- 9. Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.
- 10. 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.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Programming
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Listening
- Systems Analysis
- Speaking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Systems Evaluation
Knowledge Areas
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Economics and Accounting
- Education and Training
- Production and Processing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Database architects?
Database architects has an AI exposure score of 55%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Database architects?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Database architects is projected to grow by 8.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 66,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Database architects?
Key skills for Database architects include Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Programming, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Database architects earn?
The median annual wage for Database architects is $135,980, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Database architects?
The typical entry-level education for Database architects is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Database architects?
Database architects roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).