JOB REPORT / 15-1242 · 18 TASKS

Database Administrators.

Can AI do the work of Database Administrators?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Write and code logical and physical database descriptions…
Develop data models describing data elements and how they…
Specify users and user access levels for each segment…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Database Administrators work. It covers the 18 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

18 of 18 tasks reviewed

We went through all 18 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Database Administrators actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system, or direct others in coding descriptions.
AI DOES
Drafts schema definitions, writes DDL code, and suggests naming conventions
YOU DO
Validate that the design truly fits the business rules and performance needs
TASK 02
Develop data models describing data elements and how they are used, following procedures and using pen, template, or computer software.
AI DOES
Drafts entity-relationship diagrams, suggests table structures, and generates boilerplate data dictionaries from descriptions
YOU DO
Learn the business deeply and make judgment calls about how data truly needs to work together
TASK 03
Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
AI DOES
Drafts role and permission structures, flags over-privileged accounts, and suggests least-privilege configurations
YOU DO
Make final calls on who to trust with sensitive data based on your org's real needs
TASK 04
Test changes to database applications or systems.
AI DOES
Generates test cases, writes test scripts, and flags anomalies in query results
YOU DO
Decide whether test outcomes meet real business needs and sign off on safety
TASK 05
Select and enter codes to monitor database performance and to create production databases.
AI DOES
Suggests monitoring queries, writes setup scripts, and flags common performance issues
YOU DO
Decide what matters most for your specific database and validate production changes
TASK 06
Review procedures in database management system manuals to make changes to database.
AI DOES
Summarizes manual procedures, drafts change scripts, and highlights relevant steps
YOU DO
Verify changes against your real database environment before applying them
TASK 07
Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.
AI DOES
Scans tech news, research papers, and vendor releases to surface emerging database trends and draft summary reports
YOU DO
Apply company context, business goals, and hard-won experience to decide which trends are worth acting on
TASK 08
Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
AI DOES
Scans systems for risks, drafts security policies, flags unusual access patterns, and suggests best practices
YOU DO
Weigh real business risk, build team trust, and decide what trade-offs are worth making
TASK 09
Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
AI DOES
Drafts upgrade plans, checks version compatibility, and generates pre/post upgrade scripts
YOU DO
Test in your real environment and make the final call on timing and risk
TASK 10
Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.
AI DOES
Suggests answers, pulls documentation, and drafts step-by-step fixes
YOU DO
Listen carefully to the real problem and decide the right solution for that specific person
TASK 11
Develop standards and guidelines for the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.
AI DOES
Drafts policy templates, summarizes best practices, and checks for common security gaps
YOU DO
Tailor standards to your organization's real risks and get stakeholder buy-in
TASK 12
Review workflow charts developed by programmer analyst to understand tasks computer will perform, such as updating records.
AI DOES
Reads workflow diagrams, summarizes steps, and spots potential logic gaps or missing update paths
YOU DO
Apply hands-on database knowledge to judge whether the workflow is safe and complete for your specific system
TASK 13
Revise company definition of data as defined in data dictionary.
AI DOES
Drafts revised definitions, flags vague language, and checks consistency across entries
YOU DO
Confirm business meaning and get agreement from data owners
TASK 14
Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.
AI DOES
Drafts installation plans, generates checklists, and summarizes risk factors
YOU DO
Own the approval decision and coordinate real people across teams
TASK 15SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
AI DOES
Runs tests and flags potential bugs automatically
YOU DO
Decide which fixes matter most
About this analysis
57% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 16SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
AI DOES
Generates code changes and migration scripts
YOU DO
Decide priorities and approve the changes
About this analysis
54% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 17SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Train users and answer questions.
AI DOES
Creates training materials and answers common questions
YOU DO
Adapt to each learner's needs
About this analysis
49% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.
AI DOES
Scans options and benchmarks performance metrics
YOU DO
Choose what fits your specific needs
About this analysis
26% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Database Administrators
SOC code: 15-1242
Tasks reviewed: 18 of 18

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $104,620 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $118,340 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 69,990
Employed in Colorado: 1,220
Job outlook: −0.7% by 2034 · ~3,800 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system, or direct others in coding descriptions.

Develop data models describing data elements and how they are used, following procedures and using pen, template, or computer software.

Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.

Test changes to database applications or systems.

Select and enter codes to monitor database performance and to create production databases.

Review procedures in database management system manuals to make changes to database.

Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.

Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.

Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.

Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.

Develop standards and guidelines for the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.

Review workflow charts developed by programmer analyst to understand tasks computer will perform, such as updating records.

Revise company definition of data as defined in data dictionary.

Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.

Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.

Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.

Train users and answer questions.

Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.