Data Scientists vs Database Architects
Median pay is about $19k higher for Database Architects. The usual entry education is bachelor's or Master's for Data Scientists and bachelor's for Database Architects.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Data Scientists | Database Architects |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $120,230 | $139,500, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $85,660 | $109,370, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $158,880 | $169,290, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +35% Growing fast, higher | +9.4% Growing fast |
| Openings a year | 24,800 | 3,900 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Bachelor's or Master's | Bachelor's |
| Difficulty modeled | 2.6 / 5 | 2.4 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Very high | Very high |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 97th pct | 92nd pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, speaking, writing, active learning.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.