Database administrators hold the responsibility for maintaining one or multiple databases. They see the database from development through maintenance. In addition, they are responsible for making sure that the data is entering into the database properly and that it is being properly secured. There are three major parts of a database administrator job description. They have a maintenance, development, and data administrator role. However, roles can be divided among people, or one person could complete all of those roles.

This database administrator job description will cover the required education and experience, work schedule and job outlook, in addition to the necessary skills and responsibilities.

What Does a Database Administrator Do?

Organizations that sell their products online are entirely dependent on a functional database in order to properly process orders because it is essential that a database is timely, reliable, and correct in the processing of data. The database administrator is the brains behind the functioning of these databases. The operations aspect of the job involves overseeing the quality and maintenance of the database. The goal of design in databases is to create a database that is easy to use and will be able to handle the expected traffic. This design must ensure a safe and user-friendly experience. The data administrator will manage big data. This means the metadata needs to be tracked and used to compare productivity and development.

database administrator job description

Database administrators need a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science and for the most part, prior work experience is required. Their median salary is $87,710 dollars. Full-time work with regular hours exceeding 40 per work is the norm.

Database Administrator Job Description for Resume – Responsibilities

There are many different roles a database administrator could hold. Use the responsibilities bulleted below and tailor them to prior experience and what the specific database administrator job description for.

  • Visualize the functioning database through pilot testing with different scripts.
  • Develop the database and perform regular maintenance checks.
  • Design the database with more site traffic than anticipated.
  • Collaborate with the IT team and conduct regular training for database IT professionals.
  • Rework existing schema utilizing the Schema Manager.
  • Chart the expected database design from beginning to end and compare the plan with the reality.
  • Monitoring performance indicators and keep a record of this for team performance evaluations.

Many of these skills are similar to a list from Prospects, United Kingdom.

Database Administrator Essential Skills

  • Web design skills. Even though database administrators do not necessarily need web design skills, it makes the job much easier and allows for testing of the database in the environment in which it will live.
  • Programming skills. An excellent database administrator will have basic fluency in one or more computer languages. Databases do not live in a vacuum thus administrators need to know how the database will fit into the overall coding for the website.
  • System awareness skills. Database administrators must have an awareness of how their part, which is the database they manage, fits into the whole of the company’s online portfolio. This will lead to more thoughtful and contextual design.
  • Communication skills. Even though a database administrator will spend most of their time on a computer, they still need to be able to communicate with management and as part of a team.

InfoWorld provided the basis for this list of essential skills.

How to Become a Database Administrator

Most database administrators need a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. They need to know structured query language (SQL) and stay attuned to new developments. Prior work experience is expected in working with parts of databases or as a data analyst.

Education & Training Requirements

Part of the database administrator job description implies the need for a bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science, or information science. Database administrators whose portfolio includes large amounts of data may need a master’s degree in data analytics or data science. In addition to the degree, database administrators need to learn SQL and other programming languages.

There are no required certifications to label yourself as a database administrator. However, many companies will need their database administrators to become certified in whatever software the company uses. This certification is mostly offered by specific software companies.

Students can begin building their portfolio and database experience in school by applying class projects to real-world problems.

Work Experience

Database administrators need some level of experience prior to assuming this role. A candidate should seek experience in many different ways. This should start with students who can build their portfolio and get practice in building databases in sandbox spaces.

Another way to gain experience is to complete database work for a nonprofit organization, pro bono. These opportunities serve to build a portfolio, while at the same time serving as a benefit to society as a whole.

Students who are interested in becoming database administrators should job shadow at a variety of companies so that they get a sense of the job variation expected.

Work Schedules

Unfortunately, working long hours is characteristic for people who work in information technology. This characterization holds true for database administrators as about 20 percent of them regularly work more than 40 hours a week.

Much of the work day will be spent without collaboration. However, it is important for the database administrator to excel in individual and team-based environments in order to succeed at their job.

Even more, database administrators can work from home or other remote locations. This means that a database administrator could live in Italy, for example, but actually work for a United States company.

Career Prospects

The expected job growth for a database administrator is 11 percent through the year 2024. The growth is mostly driven by an increasing need for using data. Databases are an essential utility for businesses or organizations with a web presence however, some industries expect higher growth. Database administrators who work in cloud computers or computer systems design will see growth significantly above the median while those in the medical field have a projected growth of 7 percent.

A database administrator is a high-level job within a company but due to the skill set, it is hard for employers to find qualified database administrators. A candidate who keeps current with the latest technologies will optimize their chance for success. Some of these professionals can become computer and information systems managers or the chief technology officer.

As mentioned, median database administrator salary is $81,710 with an 80 percentile range of $45,460 to $127,080. However, the highest paying field is computer systems design.

Conclusion

The job of a database administrator is essential in the current information age. As long as we have the internet and depend on it for tasks ranging from signing up for a survey to ordering our favorite book, databases are necessary. According to the database administrator job description, managing a database can be stressful. However, the pay is high and the work is extremely valuable.

Another job in the IT&C industry you might consider is that of a System Analyst.