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Computer Programmers vs Database Administrators: what changes?

Consider Computer Programmers if you want to create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Consider Database Administrators if you would rather administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Programmers and Database Administrators. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Computer Programmers

National median pay (2025)
$100,390
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
4,400
Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 7.3% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Computer Programmers brief

Database Administrators

National median pay (2025)
$104,620
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
3,300
Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 0.1% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Database Administrators brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Database Administrators has the edge on projected growth

Database Administrators is at -0.1% projected growth, compared with -7.3% projected growth for Computer Programmers.

2

Computer Programmers has the edge on annual openings

Computer Programmers is at 4,400 annual openings, compared with 3,300 annual openings for Database Administrators.

3

Database Administrators has the edge on median pay

Database Administrators is at $104,620, compared with $100,390 for Computer Programmers.

45.9/ 100

Computer Programmers

vs
49.3/ 100

Database Administrators

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Computer Programmers vs Database Administrators

DimensionComputer ProgrammersDatabase Administrators
Median pay (2025)$100,390$104,620
Pay percentile83.1 percentile85.6 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)-7.3%-0.1%
Annual openings (2025–2035)4,4003,300
2025 employment110,80075,000
How you qualifyBachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 4Job Zone 4
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingBLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Computer Programmers briefRead Database Administrators brief

Try another comparison

Computer Programmers vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Computer Programmers
$100,390 · -7.3% growth
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
$99,130 · -4.1% growth
Compare careers →

Database Administrators vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Database Administrators
$104,620 · -0.1% growth
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
$99,130 · -4.1% growth
Compare careers →
ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.