Skip to main content

Data Architect

Technology

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.

Data ScienceComputer Science

Picture the job

Where you'd usually workA desk of screens, or a server room

  • Mostly indoors
  • Sitting for most of the day
  • Rarely dealing with the public
  • Regular working hours

An illustration of a typical workplace, not a photo. The work-style notes come from US O*NET data, so read them as a guide.

In Malaysia

Data architect is a senior role in Malaysia, not a graduate job: employers are mainly banks, telcos, GLCs and regional tech/shared-service hubs in the Klang Valley. MDEC tracks data engineer as the fastest-growing digital job title, which is the usual stepping stone.

How people get into it here
SPM → STPM/matriculation/foundation or diploma → Bachelor's in computer science, data science or software engineering → several years as data analyst/data engineer or DBA → data architect.
Demand
'Data Professionals' and 'Database Designers and Administrators' are on TalentCorp's MyCOL 2024/2025 list of 66 critical occupations. TalentCorp MyCOL 2024/2025 brochure

Sources:randstad.com.mytalentcorp.com.myplatform.mdec.com.my

Pay in Malaysia

Starting in the role

RM18,000 – RM26,000

per month

Experienced

RM26,000 – RM35,000

per month

From a published Malaysian salary guide. Actual offers vary by employer, city and experience. This is a senior role: people usually reach it after several years in a related job.

Randstad Malaysia 2025 Salary Guide · Dec 2024

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. Typical entry

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationBachelor's degree

Quick answers

How do you become a Data Architect in Malaysia?

SPM → STPM/matriculation/foundation or diploma → Bachelor's in computer science, data science or software engineering → several years as data analyst/data engineer or DBA → data architect.

What should I study to become a Data Architect?

Related fields of study: Data Science and Computer Science. SPM subjects that help most: Computer Science / ICT, Electrical & Electronic Eng. Studies, Physics and Additional Mathematics.

How much does a Data Architect earn in Malaysia?

Published figures put pay for someone new to this role at RM18,000 – RM26,000 a month, and RM26,000 – RM35,000 with experience (source: Randstad Malaysia 2025 Salary Guide, Dec 2024).

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Develop and document database architectures.
  2. 2Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
  3. 3Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
  4. 4Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability.
  5. 5Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.
  6. 6Design 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.
  7. 7Develop methods for integrating different products so they work properly together, such as customizing commercial databases to fit specific needs.
  8. 8Create and enforce database development standards.
  9. 9Document and communicate database schemas, using accepted notations.
  10. 10Develop data model describing data elements and their use, following procedures and using pen, template or computer software.
  11. 11Work as part of a project team to coordinate database development and determine project scope and limitations.
  12. 12Set up database clusters, backup, or recovery processes.
  13. 13Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.
  14. 14Demonstrate database technical functionality, such as performance, security and reliability.
  15. 15Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
  16. 16Develop load-balancing processes to eliminate down time for backup processes.
  17. 17Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.
  18. 18Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
  19. 19Identify and correct deviations from database development standards.
  20. 20Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.
  21. 21Write and code logical and physical database descriptions, and specify identifiers of database to management system or direct others in coding descriptions.
  22. 22Develop or maintain archived procedures, procedural codes, or queries for applications.
  23. 23Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.
  24. 24Establish and calculate optimum values for database parameters, using manuals and calculators.
  25. 25Train users and answer questions.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Developer
  • Data Miner
  • ADP Planner
  • PKI Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Data Manager
  • Data Modeler
  • Data Officer
  • Data Engineer
  • Data Architect

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Design & Technology (RBT)Draws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Computers and Electronics86%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Engineering and Technology79%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • Design74%

    Visual Art (PSV)Technical Comm. GraphicsEngineering Drawing

  • Mathematics73%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • English Language63%

    English

  • Administration and Management57%

    BusinessEconomics

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsOften
  • Contact with other peopleContact most of the time
  • Dealing with customers or the publicA little
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentAlmost never

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points, not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

24%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023, already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

0.20%

Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work

Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job, and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.

Growing role in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not Malaysian. Shown because it's the only forward-looking demand estimate we have for this job.

On Malaysia's official shortage list

TalentCorp and ILMIA's Critical Occupations List, evidence of a real hiring shortage in Malaysia right now.

Matched to a related occupation on the list, not this exact job title.

Database Designers and Administrators · Shortage indicators met: INSUFFICIENT DATA

What beginner adverts asked for

We read 104 internship and fresh-graduate adverts in related fields (August 2026). A small sample from one job site, not every vacancy.

75 of 104 were internships

Allowance or pay, when stated

RM800 – RM2,800

52 of 104 adverts printed an amount: usually between RM800 and RM2,800 a month. Many print none.

Minimum CGPA asked

2.00 to 3.50

Stated in 11 adverts. Others did not state one.

Languages named

Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin

An empty line means the adverts did not say, not that employers have no requirement. Check each employer's own advert before you plan around it.

Related careers

If this interests you, these are worth a look too.

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Database Architects

Source: Randstad Malaysia 2025 Salary Guide · as of Dec 2024

Check the salary figures yourself:Randstad Malaysia 2025 Salary Guide

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org