My job involves installing, monitoring, and debugging database server installations.
CAREER
Database Administrators
Overview
Salary Median (2017)
$87,020
Projected Job Growth (2016-2026)
+11.5% (faster than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Bachelor's Degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Database Administrators Do
Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
Other Job Titles Database Administrators May Have
Data Architect, Database Administration Manager, Database Administrator (DBA), Database Analyst, Database Coordinator, Database Developer, Database Programmer, Information Systems Manager, Management Information Systems Director (MIS Director), System Administrator
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
A great day would include the culmination or completion, of a project, whether that task had been something relatively minor, or a large-scale project we'd been working on for months.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Develop standards and guidelines to guide the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.
- Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
- Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
- Plan, coordinate and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
- Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Database Administrators
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's Degree (77%)
Associate's Degree
7%
Bachelor's Degree
77%
First Professional Degree
11%
Other*
5%
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Computer Science
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Industry Studies
Certification / License
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
The ability to learn new technologies on your own.
You need a high level of exposure to technology and a vast willingness to learn. As you know, companies like Microsoft love to update their systems, so it's going to be a constant educational process to keep up with new updates and new developments in tech.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Take classes in computer science or look for tutorials in the technology field.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 25.0 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
