Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Database architects (SOC 15-1243) employed 67,140 people in May 2025. The median pay is $139,500 a year ($67.07 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,240 and the highest-paid 10% more than $204,000. BLS projects its employment to change by +9.4% between 2025 and 2035 (about 3,900 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years experience in a related occupation.
Highest median pay: California ($170,160), Massachusetts ($161,650), Virginia ($160,360). Most jobs: Texas (8,270), California (6,210), Virginia (5,260).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,240 | $41.46 |
| 25th percentile | $109,370 | $52.58 |
| Median | $139,500 | $67.07 |
| Mean | $144,440 | $69.44 |
| 75th percentile | $169,290 | $81.39 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $204,000 | $98.08 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 69,500 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 76,000 |
| Change in jobs | 6,500 |
| Percent change | +9.4% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 3,900 |
| Self-employed share | 2.1% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | Less than 5 years |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 270 | 0.29 | $105,450 | $78,400 | $172,890 | -24% | 12% |
| Alaska | 70 | 0.53 | $112,500 | $65,060 | $130,500 | -19% | 15% |
| Arizona | 1,200 | 0.86 | $156,100 | $99,730 | $189,190 | +12% | 13% |
| Arkansas | 360 | 0.63 | $104,070 | $74,700 | $162,920 | -25% | 11% |
| California | 6,210 | 0.79 | $170,160 | $101,200 | $227,900 | +22% | 15% |
| Colorado | 1,950 | 1.57 | $154,560 | $88,000 | $195,510 | +11% | 14% |
| Connecticut | 1,140 | 1.55 | $144,460 | $106,040 | $210,800 | +4% | 13% |
| District of Columbia | 790 | 2.61 | $150,010 | $82,220 | $225,110 | +8% | 15% |
| Florida | 1,810 | 0.42 | $138,320 | $85,880 | $206,410 | -1% | 16% |
| Georgia | 2,590 | 1.23 | $139,500 | $102,400 | $187,410 | +0% | 13% |
| Hawaii | 60 | 0.22 | $134,040 | $93,780 | $212,150 | -4% | 17% |
| Idaho | 260 | 0.69 | $121,380 | $79,140 | $187,440 | -13% | 14% |
| Illinois | 1,590 | 0.60 | $142,500 | $97,820 | $193,950 | +2% | 11% |
| Indiana | 500 | 0.36 | $132,830 | $83,480 | $172,460 | -5% | 10% |
| Iowa | 240 | 0.36 | $124,040 | $78,660 | $159,790 | -11% | 9% |
| Kansas | 360 | 0.57 | $129,990 | $81,790 | $165,330 | -7% | 10% |
| Kentucky | 350 | 0.40 | $125,400 | $74,140 | $173,110 | -10% | 10% |
| Maine | 190 | 0.69 | $133,120 | $86,880 | $159,620 | -5% | 11% |
| Maryland | 1,370 | 1.14 | $132,940 | $80,090 | $205,320 | -5% | 16% |
| Massachusetts | 2,690 | 1.71 | $161,650 | $123,670 | $220,910 | +16% | 14% |
| Michigan | 1,390 | 0.73 | $131,000 | $79,810 | $174,060 | -6% | 11% |
| Minnesota | 1,240 | 0.98 | $133,050 | $94,220 | $169,380 | -5% | 12% |
| Mississippi | 100 | 0.20 | $98,420 | $61,030 | $137,340 | -29% | 12% |
| Missouri | 1,410 | 1.11 | $110,570 | $64,420 | $166,610 | -21% | 12% |
| Nebraska | 610 | 1.39 | $134,320 | $91,560 | $173,050 | -4% | 10% |
| Nevada | 420 | 0.63 | $140,200 | $72,500 | $200,190 | +1% | 15% |
| New Hampshire | 120 | 0.40 | $139,990 | $74,120 | $174,850 | +0% | 13% |
| New Jersey | 3,090 | 1.67 | $120,790 | $86,230 | $197,950 | -13% | 18% |
| New Mexico | 120 | 0.32 | $117,950 | $70,870 | $165,440 | -15% | 11% |
| New York | 3,850 | 0.92 | $141,350 | $82,540 | $216,550 | +1% | 14% |
| North Carolina | 4,070 | 1.91 | $134,630 | $81,230 | $178,380 | -3% | 12% |
| North Dakota | 60 | 0.30 | $109,430 | $86,370 | $138,250 | -22% | 11% |
| Ohio | 1,820 | 0.76 | $132,910 | $94,530 | $174,260 | -5% | 10% |
| Oklahoma | 860 | 1.17 | $110,110 | $82,820 | $173,990 | -21% | 11% |
| Oregon | 730 | 0.86 | $138,250 | $100,820 | $175,600 | -1% | 14% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,840 | 1.09 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Rhode Island | 160 | 0.72 | $140,320 | $92,540 | $189,810 | +1% | 12% |
| South Carolina | 1,160 | 1.16 | $130,000 | $84,300 | $183,700 | -7% | 12% |
| South Dakota | 40 | 0.20 | $136,540 | $95,060 | $142,980 | -2% | 9% |
| Tennessee | 650 | 0.46 | $115,170 | $73,440 | $170,520 | -17% | 13% |
| Texas | 8,270 | 1.36 | $151,370 | $92,890 | $200,390 | +9% | 12% |
| Utah | 630 | 0.84 | $131,740 | $97,990 | $198,920 | -6% | 15% |
| Virginia | 5,260 | 2.96 | $160,360 | $105,210 | $210,160 | +15% | 12% |
| Washington | 2,990 | 1.95 | $128,760 | $101,970 | $195,590 | -8% | 17% |
| West Virginia | 120 | 0.40 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | 520 | 0.41 | $137,810 | $92,660 | $170,450 | -1% | 10% |
| Wyoming | 160 | 1.35 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,120 | $197,960 | $128,890 | $263,770 | 2.29 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,600 | $175,860 | $133,050 | $237,930 | 1.56 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,500 | $163,590 | $96,720 | $207,020 | 1.20 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 4,740 | $162,870 | $107,070 | $216,370 | 3.50 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 1,360 | $162,640 | $106,200 | $197,740 | 1.96 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 2,120 | $161,650 | $126,320 | $200,110 | 1.82 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 390 | $156,800 | $89,150 | $205,610 | 0.59 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 980 | $156,100 | $99,730 | $175,260 | 0.95 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,530 | $155,740 | $79,890 | $206,690 | 0.57 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 4,320 | $154,770 | $90,250 | $212,280 | 2.47 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 570 | $152,800 | $89,060 | $197,170 | 1.18 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,260 | $147,490 | $100,510 | $200,120 | 0.65 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 560 | $143,410 | $100,820 | $194,160 | 1.08 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 560 | $141,770 | $87,070 | $172,430 | 3.78 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 490 | $141,170 | $97,700 | $202,810 | 0.40 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 1,110 | $139,960 | $100,690 | $214,250 | 1.98 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 2,110 | $139,500 | $102,860 | $187,410 | 1.69 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 780 | $139,100 | $78,820 | $192,390 | 0.55 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 1,560 | $138,870 | $88,510 | $180,650 | 2.66 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 460 | $137,980 | $106,090 | $201,460 | 1.79 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 400 | $136,990 | $97,990 | $200,310 | 1.12 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 490 | $136,620 | $95,100 | $173,050 | 2.27 |
| Columbus, OH | 470 | $135,840 | $97,800 | $175,570 | 0.99 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 390 | $135,790 | $87,210 | $198,070 | 0.81 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 490 | $135,130 | $92,260 | $175,580 | 1.48 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 380 | $134,480 | $99,560 | $173,620 | 0.79 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 1,090 | $134,010 | $99,990 | $169,380 | 1.30 |
| Richmond, VA | 440 | $133,770 | $100,670 | $172,300 | 1.53 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 360 | $133,290 | $84,660 | $206,410 | 0.58 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 560 | $132,940 | $74,430 | $204,470 | 0.96 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 710 | $132,740 | $70,200 | $198,320 | 2.21 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 730 | $132,040 | $80,450 | $173,140 | 0.89 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 5,460 | $131,540 | $86,230 | $216,480 | 1.33 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 570 | $127,590 | $67,690 | $165,010 | 1.21 |
| Cleveland, OH | 400 | $127,530 | $92,800 | $169,710 | 0.89 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 710 | $122,310 | $67,030 | $172,680 | 1.23 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 300 | $121,730 | $78,560 | $177,110 | 0.63 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 520 | $110,110 | $88,300 | $162,900 | 1.77 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,500 | $105,430 | $101,970 | $199,170 | 2.77 |
The median is $139,500 a year ($67.07 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $86,240 and the highest-paid tenth over $204,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
67,140 in May 2025, and BLS projects +9.4% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
California, with a median of $170,160 (among states with published figures).