Database Administrators vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: $105K vs $99K Median Pay

Database Administrators vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: what changes?

Consider Database Administrators if you want to administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Consider Network and Computer Systems Administrators if you would rather install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Database Administrators and Network and Computer Systems 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

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

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

National median pay (2025): $99,130
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: Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 13,400

Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 4.1% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Network and Computer Systems Administrators brief

How the national numbers differ

Network and Computer Systems Administrators has the edge on annual openings

Network and Computer Systems Administrators is at 13,400 annual openings, compared with 3,300 annual openings for Database Administrators.

Database Administrators has the edge on projected growth

Database Administrators is at -0.1% projected growth, compared with -4.1% projected growth for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

Database Administrators has the edge on median pay

Database Administrators is at $104,620, compared with $99,130 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

49.3/ 100

Database Administrators

53.5/ 100

Network and Computer Systems 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

Database Administrators vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Dimension	Database Administrators	Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Median pay (2025)	$104,620	$99,130
Pay percentile	85.6 percentile	82.2 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	-0.1%	-4.1%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	3,300	13,400
2025 employment	75,000	323,600
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS 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.

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Database Administrators vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Database Administrators

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

How the national numbers differ

Network and Computer Systems Administrators has the edge on annual openings

Database Administrators has the edge on projected growth

Database Administrators has the edge on median pay

Database Administrators vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators

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