IT & Software

Database Administrator

Manages the performance, integrity, and security of database systems.

AI displacement risk 58% Medium

Average salary $98,000

Salary trend ↘ Declining

Why this risk score

AI and managed cloud services automate tuning, backups, and routine maintenance, shrinking traditional DBA work, but data modeling, migrations, and critical incident recovery still need experts. The role is consolidating and shifting toward data engineering.

Core tasks

Database design
Performance tuning
Backup & recovery
Security
Migration
Monitoring

Outlook

Managed services and AI absorb routine administration, pushing DBAs toward data architecture and engineering roles.

Skills to build now

Specialist Skills Advanced

System Design

When AI writes the code, the upstream power to decide what to build. Hard to replace and rising in demand.

Market value High ~200h to learn

Specialist Skills Advanced

Domain Expertise

Deep knowledge of a specific field or industry. Experts who can judge whether AI output is correct keep rising in value.

Market value High ~500h to learn

Specialist Skills Intermediate

Data Analysis

Validating AI-generated results and turning them into decisions. A classic skill that gains value in the AI era.

Market value High ~120h to learn

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Frequently asked questions

Will AI replace Database Administrators?

Partly — some tasks will be automated while others stay human. AI and managed cloud services automate tuning, backups, and routine maintenance, shrinking traditional DBA work, but data modeling, migrations, and critical incident recovery still need experts. The role is consolidating and shifting toward data engineering.