Database Administrators
Machines can already do 61% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 86%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Database Administrators in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 61% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 33% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 86% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 69,990 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $104,620 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 49% for contact with people.
- Also called: Database Administration Manager, Database Administrator (DBA), Database Analyst, Database Coordinator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes | 13% | 79% to 97% | |
| Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure | 8% | 58% to 88% | |
| Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance | 8% | 81% to 97% | |
| Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications | 8% | 84% to 97% | |
| Select and enter codes to monitor database performance and to create production databases | 8% | 65% to 92% | |
| Test changes to database applications or systems | 7% | 25% to 60% | |
| Provide technical support to junior staff or clients | 7% | 72% to 92% | |
| Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database | 5% | 78% to 97% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills database administrators use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Database Administrators?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of database administrators?
Machines can do 61% of the tasks of database administrators today and 86% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 15-1242.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Database Administrators: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/database-administrators/