Database Administrator Job Description – Salary, Education and Career Guide for becoming a Database Administrator

Information is everywhere. To maintain and store that information, organizations need a good database collection system on their computers. The job of a database administrator is to manage that system.

Job Description

A database administrator’s job is to tell the computer how to organize the information in its database. This can be done by designing an individual database, or using a program such as Microsoft Access or FileMaker Pro to create and manage the database.
 
Depending on the individual organization’s needs and desires, the responsibilities of a database administrator may vary. Some of those tasks include:
  • adding new users to the system
  • ensuring the system’s ongoing performance remains strong
  • identifying the user’s needs and creating new databases
  • integrating data from older systems into new systems
  • planning and coordinating security of the information and the database with the network (particularly if the database is connected to the Internet)
  • testing the new system and making modifications when needed
  • understanding how the database runs.
 
Working conditions for someone who holds a database administrator position are usually in an office environment. Database administrators work around 40 hours per week, and they are often required to meet tight deadlines. Telecommuting, or working from home, has become increasingly more common in computer jobs as demand for trained professionals grows. Database administrators can be prone to eyestrain and wrist problems due to heavy computer use.

Salary Guide

The median database administrator salary is $64,670 annually. The position’s salaries can range from $37,350 and $103,010. Salaries are dependent on the type of organization, geographic location and of course, experience.

Education and Training

Currently, there is not one universally accepted educational requirement for database administrator jobs. Most employers do require a bachelor’s degree, although in some cases a two year degree is acceptable. Many employers are seeking candidates with bachelor’s degrees in:
  • computer science
  • information science
  • management information systems.
 
Another way to train for a job in database administration is to get certification in a database management. Certification programs are offered at many career centers or computer learning centers. Certification is often seen as the industry standard and may be listed in the job requirements for particular positions.
 
Although those with technical degrees are usually preferred for this type of job, sometimes workers come into computer jobs with degrees in other fields. As technology changes, employers need to find workers with the latest computer software knowledge. Keeping up to date with the latest technology is essential to prepare for a career in database administration.

Prior Work Experience

Database administrator jobs, like many computer jobs, are easier to get with some level of experience. For someone interested in this career, in addition to getting a degree, getting an internship or participating in a co-op program while in school can provide valuable experience and teach the necessary computer skills. Many times, database administrators come from other jobs within that industry.
 
Other skills that are sought out for database administrator positions include:
  • the ability to think logically, concentrate and pay very close attention to details
  • the ability to communicate with other computer personnel, such as programmers and managers
  • the ability to communicate with other staff that may have no computer training.
 

Career Advancement

The number of database administrator jobs is expected to grow much faster than average over the next few years. Database administrators usually have specialized training and skills, so with experience they can advance into managerial positions such as Chief Technology Officer. A database administrator job provides the perfect background for this managerial career because it provides experience in managing data and enforcing security.

Related Associations and Groups

Here are some groups and associations that support the database administration field:
  • Software and Information Industry Association
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society.
 
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