How over is it?

A mood ring wired to real instruments

AI exposure Computer and mathematical

Will AI replace database administrators?

Database Administrators. US occupation 15-1242.

33.2%

of the time database administrators spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of database administrators' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 53 of 756 US occupations. More exposed than 92% of them.Further along than 92% of them.

Average US job 7.7%

One of the most exposed jobs in the country.Front of the queue for an AI assistant.

What AI already does for database administratorsWhat database administrators no longer do alone

O*NET lists 16 tasks for database administrators. AI use at work shows up in 6 of them. Each score runs from 0.5, where every observed use helps a person with the task, to 1, where every use does the task outright.

  1. Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.Core task mostly automated 0.98
  2. Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.Core task mostly automated 0.92
  3. Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.Core task mostly automated 0.89
  4. Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.Core task mostly automated 0.86
  5. Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.Core task automated and assisted 0.74
  6. Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.Core task automated and assisted 0.73

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

10 of the 16 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.Core task
  • Develop standards and guidelines for the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.Core task
  • Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.Core task
  • Review procedures in database management system manuals to make changes to database.Core task
  • Test changes to database applications or systems.Core task
  • Train users and answer questions.Core task
Show the other 4
  • Write and code logical and physical database descriptions and specify identifiers of database to management system, or direct others in coding descriptions.Core task
  • Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.
  • Review workflow charts developed by programmer analyst to understand tasks computer will perform, such as updating records.
  • Revise company definition of data as defined in data dictionary.

How that compares

Among the 21 computer and mathematical occupations, database administrators rank 13. The group averages 37.9%, and its most exposed job is Computer Programmers at 74.5%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Just above in the ranking

  1. 50Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners 34.3%
  2. 51Computer and Information Research Scientists 34.0%
  3. 52Network and Computer Systems Administrators 33.7%

Just below

  1. 54Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary 32.2%
  2. 54Retail Salespersons 32.2%
  3. 54Sales Engineers 32.2%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.