Database Administrators

Database Administrators score 94 out of 100, which is very high exposure to AI. That ranks #8 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 18 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 16 on its own and 2 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 10 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

94/ 100

Very high

Rank: #8of 923 jobs
US workers: 69,990BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $104,620a year
In real AI use: 10 of 18tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 16 (89%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 2 (11%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system, or direct others in coding descriptions.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop standards and guidelines for the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Review procedures in database management system manuals to make changes to database.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Revise company definition of data as defined in data dictionary.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Review workflow charts developed by programmer analyst to understand tasks computer will perform, such as updating records.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
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 can speed this up on its own · core task
Develop data model describing data elements and how they are used, following procedures and using pen, template, or computer software.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Select and enter codes to monitor database performance and to create production database.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.AI can speed this up on its own · Seen in real AI use
Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.AI can speed this up on its own
Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.AI can speed this up on its own · Seen in real AI use
Test changes to database applications or systems.AI can speed this up on its own · Seen in real AI use
Train users and answer questions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task

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Questions about database administrators and AI

Will AI replace database administrators?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Database Administrators score 94 out of 100 (very high exposure), #8 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 18 of the job's 18 tasks, 16 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which database administrators tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications"; "Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure"; "Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes".

Which database administrators tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 2 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 10 of the 18 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as database administrators, and what do they earn?

About 69,990 people in the US, with median pay of $104,620 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.