High AI Risk

    Will AI Replace Database Administrators?

    Database Administrators face a 64.3% AI exposure score with a 78% displacement probability. Core tasks in computers and Electronics, deductive Reasoning, and english Language are increasingly automatable, though flexibility of Closure and near Vision provide partial protection. Physical presence requirements and high social interaction provide partial protection.

    O*NET Code: 15-1242.00 · Data from O*NET & BLS · Updated March 2026
    AI Exposure Score
    64.3
    out of 100
    Displacement Prob.
    78%
    likely displaced
    Augmentation
    17%
    AI assists, not replaces
    Confidence
    92%
    analysis confidence
    AI Exposure ScoreA 0–100 scale measuring the overall vulnerability of this role's required skills, knowledge, and abilities.
    Displacement Prob.The estimated likelihood that AI could fully automate and replace the core functions of this occupation.
    AugmentationThe probability that AI will serve as a supportive tool to enhance the worker's productivity rather than replace them.
    ConfidenceThe statistical reliability of these predictions, based on how closely the role's skills map to direct AI benchmarks.
    0 — Safe25 — Low50 — Moderate75 — High100 — Critical

    This occupation scores above the national average of 48/100 by 16.3 points. The primary risk comes from AI's strong performance in coding software and mathematical reasoning, representing core functions of this role. However, physical presence and high social interaction requirements provide meaningful protection.

    Skill-Level Analysis

    Which skills are most at risk?

    Each skill in this occupation analyzed against current AI benchmarks. Higher scores = higher AI exposure.

    Deductive Reasoning
    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
    75
    High displacement
    Benchmark: AIME 2024
    Critical Thinking
    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
    72
    High displacement
    Benchmark: AA Intelligence Index
    Complex Problem Solving
    Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
    72
    High displacement
    Benchmark: AA Intelligence Index
    Oral Comprehension
    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
    72
    High displacement
    Benchmark: HLE
    Written Comprehension
    The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
    72
    High displacement
    Benchmark: HLE
    Reading Comprehension
    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
    68.8
    High displacement
    Benchmark: HLE
    Active Listening
    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
    68.8
    High displacement
    Benchmark: HLE
    Judgment and Decision Making
    Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
    68.8
    High displacement
    Benchmark: AA Intelligence Index
    Active Learning
    Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
    62.5
    High displacement
    Benchmark: AA Intelligence Index
    Speaking
    Talking to others to convey information effectively.
    59.5
    High displacement
    Benchmark: HLE
    Programming
    Writing computer programs for various purposes.
    59.5
    High displacement
    Benchmark: TerminalBench
    Writing
    Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
    56.3
    High displacement
    Benchmark: HLE
    Monitoring
    Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
    53
    Medium displacement
    Benchmark: AA Intelligence + AA Coding (data proxy)
    What This Means

    The bottom line for Database Administrators

    What's most at risk

    The role's most exposed skills, specifically Computers and Electronics, Deductive Reasoning, English Language, reach up to 94.8/100 on AI exposure. AI systems already match or exceed human performance on TerminalBench, directly targeting these core competencies.

    What provides partial protection

    This role requires physical presence and involves high social interaction, such as coordinating with teams, building client trust, and navigating interpersonal dynamics in real time. These human-centric demands are significantly harder to automate and will persist even as the technical components of the role shift to AI.

    Augmentation-zone skills

    Flexibility of Closure (42.6/100), Near Vision (49.6/100) sit in the augmentation zone, where AI assists rather than replaces. These are your most defensible capabilities. Positioning yourself as someone who directs and validates AI outputs is a more durable strategy than competing with them head-on.

    How this compares

    At 64.3/100, Database Administrators rank above the national average of 48/100. Among the lower-risk occupations in this cluster, safer than Web Developers (62.5/100). The role sits among the top 30% most AI-exposed occupations.

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    Lower-Risk Alternatives

    Careers that use similar skills with less AI risk

    Based on skill overlap analysis — these occupations share core competencies with Database Administrators but have significantly lower automation exposure.

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    FAQ

    Common questions about Database Administrators and AI

    Will AI completely replace this occupation?

    Not entirely, but the role will shrink significantly. The 78% displacement probability means most current tasks, particularly those involving computers and Electronics and deductive Reasoning, face serious automation pressure. Roles that combine these tasks with Flexibility of Closure and Near Vision will persist in reduced form. The strongest career move is transitioning toward adjacent, more human-centric positions before displacement accelerates.

    When will AI start affecting this job?

    It's already happening. AI tools capable of handling computers and Electronics and deductive Reasoning are widely deployed in enterprise software today. The question isn't if, but how quickly the remaining positions consolidate. Employment projections for this occupational category reflect continued pressure over the next decade.

    What skills should I develop to stay relevant?

    Your strongest assets are Flexibility of Closure and Near Vision, representing the lowest-exposure capabilities in this profile. Double down on them. Beyond that, invest in AI tool fluency: workers who know how to direct, verify, and extend AI outputs will capture the productivity upside rather than compete against it.

    What careers can I switch to with my current skills?

    Your skills transfer well to roles like Software Developers (61/100 AI risk, 100% skill overlap), Database Architects (61.3/100 AI risk, 100% skill overlap), and Computer and Information Systems Managers (61.6/100 AI risk, 100% skill overlap). PathScorer can analyse your full profile and surface even more personalised matches. Try it free here.

    How is this AI risk score calculated?

    We analyse each occupation's O*NET skill profile, covering 35+ dimensions across knowledge areas, skills, and abilities, and benchmark each against current AI capabilities (MMLU-Pro for language comprehension, τ-bench v2 for task completion, MATH-500 for mathematical reasoning, LiveCodeBench for coding, and others). Each dimension is weighted by its O*NET importance score for the occupation. Physical presence requirements and social interaction levels from O*NET work context data are also factored in. Scores are updated weekly as new AI benchmarks are published. See the full methodology →

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    Methodology: AI exposure scores are calculated by analyzing O*NET occupational skill profiles against current AI capability benchmarks. Skill importance and level data from O*NET 28.1. Employment and salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). AI benchmarks include MMLU-Pro (language comprehension), τ-bench v2 (task completion), SWE-bench (code generation), and others. Physical presence and social interaction factors are derived from O*NET work context data. Scores are updated quarterly as new AI benchmarks are published. See full methodology →
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