Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Database Architects vs. Computer User Support Specialists: Who Earns More?

Database Architects out-earn Computer User Support Specialists by $78K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Database Architects land at $139,500 and Computer User Support Specialists at $61,860. The education gap is real: database architect programs typically require bachelor's degree, while computer user support specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Database Architects is California ($170,160); for Computer User Support Specialists it's District of Columbia ($80,950).

Database Architects
Computer User Support Specialists
Median salary
$139,500
$61,860
Hourly rate
$67.07/hr
$29.74/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$86,240
$40,980
Senior level (90th %)
$204,000
$100,540
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
67,140
717,190
Job growth (10-year)
8.7%
-3.7%
Category
Technology
Technology
Top-paying state
California
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Database Architects median pay.

State
Database Architects
Computer User Support Specialists
California
$170,160
$79,570
Massachusetts
$161,650
$75,070
Virginia
$160,360
$65,040
Colorado
$154,560
$71,900
District of Columbia
$150,010
$80,950
Delaware
$147,800
$62,160
Connecticut
$144,460
$70,210
New York
$141,350
$72,560
Rhode Island
$140,320
$62,510
Oregon
$138,250
$62,840
Minnesota
$133,050
$63,630
Maryland
$132,940
$64,750
Washington
$128,760
$75,220
New Jersey
$120,790
$64,470
Alaska
$112,500
$63,110

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Database Architects or Computer User Support Specialists?

Database Architects earn more nationally. The median is $139,500 for Database Architects versus $61,860 for Computer User Support Specialists, a difference of $78K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Database Architects or Computer User Support Specialists?

Database Architects has the better 10-year outlook at 8.7% projected growth, compared to -3.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Database Architects or Computer User Support Specialists?

Database Architects typically requires bachelor's degree. Computer User Support Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Database Architects get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Database Architects at $170,160/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Database Architects vs. Computer User Support Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Database Architects earn $170,160 vs. $79,570 for Computer User Support Specialists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Database Architects salary breakdownView →Full Computer User Support Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Database Architects by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Computer User Support Specialists by take-home payExplore →How to become a database architectsGuide →How to become a computer user support specialistsGuide →