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Written byBrennan Whitfield
UPDATED BY
Brennan Whitfield | Dec. 06, 2022
What Is a Database Administrator? How to Become One, Salary, Skills.
Database administrators, or DBAs, use information technology (IT) and software engineering expertise to oversee a company’s database environment. Here’s what to know about a database administrator’s salary, needed skills and how to become one.
What Is a Database Administrator?
Database administrators manage and direct activities related to a company’s computer database system. This includes responsibility over databases, database applications, database schemas and database authorization measures.
What Do Database Administrators Do?
Database administrators utilize database management tools, operating system tools and computer programming languages to maintain and secure company databases and related applications.
Database Administrator Responsibilities
- Build, manage and monitor databases and database applications.
- Modify and implement changes to database systems and information.
- Ensure database systems are storing and retrieving data as intended.
- Ensure database applications and information are accessible to company professionals.
- Ensure data security compliance within database systems.
- Create and maintain database backup and recovery procedures.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities of Database Administrator
- Use database management software like Oracle to configure database bug patching and testing.
- Use operating system tools like Microsoft’s SQL Server Management Studio to automate data corruption checks or data aggregation.
- Use relational database management systems like MySQL to add or delete database values or visuals.
- Analyze and interpret datasets to identify data management needs.
Database Administrator Within a Company
Database administrators are usually part of a data science or IT team within a company. They often specialize in a specific technology or application within a database subsystem and tend to be found in larger companies. They also frequently collaborate with data architects and other technical support professionals.
Importance of Database Administrator
Database administrators ensure data analysts and related company personnel are able to easily navigate database information. Without database administrators, database systems may become disorganized, inaccessible and prone to cybersecurity threats.
What Skills Are Needed to Be a Database Administrator?
Qualifications to Be a Database Administrator
- Several years of experience in data engineering, IT support or systems administration.
- Ability to build, manage and maintain databases and database processes.
- Ability to implement database patches and backup/recovery procedures.
- Proficiency in SQL, HTML and software engineering principles.
- Working knowledge of Linux, Oracle, Microsoft Access and UNIX systems.
Database Administrator Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, management information systems or a similar field.
Database Administrator Hard Skills
- Cloud computing.
- Computer programming languages (C#, HTML, Java, PHP, Python, R, SQL).
- Database backup and recovery.
- Database management frameworks and systems (IBM Db2, Oracle Database, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server).
- Database design and modeling.
- Database schema creation and maintenance.
- Data security.
- Operating system software (Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, UNIX).
Database Administrator Soft Skills
- Analytical thinking.
- Organization.
- Problem-solving.
- Verbal and written communication.
Tools and Programs Database Administrators Use
- C#
- HTML
- Linux
- IBM Db2
- Java
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Azure SQL Database
- Microsoft SQL Server
- MySQL
- Oracle Database
- PHP
- Python
- SQL
- UNIX
How to Become a Database Administrator
Database Administrator Education and Experience
Database administrator candidates are often expected to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, management information systems or a similar field.
Candidates will need to obtain several years of data engineering, IT support or systems administration experience before entering the database administrator role. Knowledge in the areas of database design, database management systems and tools, data security, computer programming languages (C#, HTML, Java, PHP, Python, R, SQL), cloud computing and effective communication are also recommended.
Database Administrator Certificates and Course
- Complete Linux Training Course to Get Your Dream IT Job
- Data Analytics Accelerator
- The Complete Database Design & Modeling Beginners Tutorial
- The Complete SQL Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero
Database Administrator Career Path
Prior to the database administrator role, professionals may start their career as a data engineer, database analyst, IT support technician, systems administrator or similar role. After experience as a database administrator, professionals can progress into management and leadership positions like manager of database administration or IT development manager.
Database Administrator Salary and Job Outlook
Database administrators are in-demand, with U.S. employment for the role projected to increase 9 percent by 2031.
The full compensation package for a database administrator depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location. See below for detailed information on the average database administrator salary.
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Since 2011, General Assembly has graduated more than 40,000 students worldwide from the full time & part time courses. During the 2020 hiring shutdown, GA's students, instructors, and career coaches never lost focus, and the KPMG-validated numbers in their Outcomes report reflect it. *For students who graduated in 2020 — the peak of the pandemic — 74.4% of those who participated in GA's full-time Career Services program landed jobs within six months of graduation. General Assembly is proud of their grads + teams' relentless dedication and to see those numbers rising. Download the report here.
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Note: reviews are referenced from Career Karma - https://careerkarma.com/schools/general-assembly
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Your next step? Submit an application to talk to the General Assembly Admissions team
Note: reviews are referenced from Career Karma - https://careerkarma.com/schools/general-assembly
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