Job description
Database administrators utilise special software to store and organise data and records, such as customer shipping records, financial information and employee hours. The position often entails database design, performance monitoring, installation and configuration, and data recovery and security. Database administrators ensure that the data they are responsible for is secure from unauthorised access.
Duties
- Install server software that is tailored to meet company needs
- Configure database servers to ensure companywide or officewide access
- Monitor the database system’s security, health and efficacy
- Establish accounts for all users and give each user his or her own security level
- Make sure that data is available to account holders
- Schedule and complete routine server maintenance to enhance digital security
- Produce a disaster recovery protocol and have a data backup
- Provide technical support to employees when requested
- Outline corporate database management procedures
- Supervise any internal or external adjustments to the existing database
- Extract data from multiple systems to import astronomical volumes of data to a new database
- Troubleshoot when there are problems, and restore lost data or correct any damage – large or small
- Create the capacity to keep the database running fast, and ensure there is sufficient storage
Skills and qualities
Job outlook
Projected growth
11%
New jobs
13.7k
Automation risk
3%
Career progression
Since it is a growing field, it is considered quite competitive. To navigate the job market and gain experience, you should begin by locating an internship at a reputable company that is seeking hungry and talented database administrators. Once you have enhanced your résumé and developed a respectable portfolio, you can eventually land senior positions at sought-after firms.
Working conditions
Average hours
37h/ week
Typical schedule
Full Time
On call for emergencies
A database administrator will typically work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday, but may often be called in for emergencies on nights, weekends and the occasional holiday. Travel is also common, particularly when working as a contractor. For the most part, however, they will complete their work in an office setting.
Salary
Bottom 10%
$50k
Median
$90k
Top 10%
$140k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Qualifications and training
Education level
Undergraduate
BA in information or computer-related field
Study time
4 years
To become a database administrator, you will need to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in information technology, computer science or a relevant field. Indeed, companies will give preference to job applicants who have completed a graduate programme in a tech-related subject.
Moreover, advanced education and certifications are usually viewed as an advantage to function as a database administrator, though they are not a requirement.
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022