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Boston Career Explorer

Computer and Mathematical

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

Also called: Data Architect, Data Engineer, Data Officer, Database Analyst, Database Architect, Database Consultant

Median pay in Greater Boston
$161,650
$77.72/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
2,120
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+2.8%
90 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years of related work experience

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$126,320$134,470$161,650$173,230$200,110

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Develop and document database architectures.
  • Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
  • Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
  • Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability.
  • Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.
  • Design database applications, such as interfaces, data transfer mechanisms, global temporary tables, data partitions, and function-based indexes to enable efficient access of the generic database structure.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure84 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 83
  • Language-model AIOE 74
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 96

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is higher, and AI tools are already used a lot in this kind of work. Tools can help draft data models, documentation, and database code. Judgment calls about business needs, security, and how systems fit together still depend on people, and Massachusetts jobs are projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034.

Likely to change

  • Drafting data models and table designs
  • Writing and updating architecture documentation

Still relies on people

  • Learning what the business really needs
  • Weighing security, scale, and reliability tradeoffs

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Computer Hardware Engineers

    Designing complex systems and keeping up with new technology carry over. The move offers a $167,600 Boston median pay and lower AI exposure.

    Pay difference
    +$5,950 median
    AI exposure
    Higher
    MA growth
    +1.4%
    To get started
    Bachelor's degree

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

94 programs near Boston (plus 64 graduate)

Related occupations

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