Database administrators hold a delicate position in any company that works with a lot of data from various sources. The role of database professionals involves organizing, updating, and managing data to guide a company’s business decisions. Learning about how to get a job in database administration can let you know if this role is suitable for you.
This article discusses everything on this topic, including the highest-paying data administration jobs, tips, where to look for a job, the job outlook in the field, and the educational requirements and database administration skills needed to start a career in this field.
What Is Database Administration?
Database administration refers to the activities that a database administrator carries out to organize a company’s databases and make keep them online and available. In any organization that depends on one or two databases, database administration is a very important function.
Database Administration Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for database administrators will grow by eight percent from 2020 to 2030. This is around the national average for job growth within all occupations. It is projected that there will be around 13,900 openings for database systems administrators over this period, which will benefit professionals at the entry level.
What Education Do I Need to Become a Database Administrator?
The majority of database administrators hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Science or Computer Science to understand database software and database management. Some companies may require a Master’s Degree in Database Administration or Information Technology (IT) if advanced database skills and expertise are required.
Can I Get a Database Administration Job Without a Degree?
Yes, you can get a job in database administration without a degree. Though having a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study is often a requirement for landing a job in database administration, you can also gain the required knowledge for a job in this field through coding bootcamps.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job in Database Administration?
Yes, you can learn all the practical skills that you need to become a database administrator by attending a high-quality database management bootcamp. You can find top coding bootcamps in data science that cover database structure and database software. You will build a portfolio of projects to showcase your skills and build a network to make your job search after graduation easier.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Job in Database Administration?
If you choose to get a formal college degree, it will take around four years to obtain a bachelor’s degree which will qualify you to take on entry-level jobs. For those attending bootcamps, this period may be considerably shorter, in as little as one year.
Common Database Administration Education Paths
You have different educational options to choose from during your quest to become a database administrator, including bootcamps, community college, and four-year university programs. Consider your circumstances and weigh your options carefully before choosing the path you want to take.
Database Administration Bootcamps
A database administration bootcamp can give you the relevant skills needed to become a database administrator in a short period. A coding bootcamp offers specialized courses within a shorter timeframe than a traditional college education. It’s also a more affordable option.
Community College
A community college offers one to two years of education, after which you are awarded an associate degree or a relevant certification. It can serve as a great stepping stone to getting a bachelor’s degree to propel your database administration career, and you may be able to find an entry-level database administration job at this experience level.
Bachelor’s Degrees
Attending a university will allow you to gain in-depth knowledge in a relevant field that will set you on a path to becoming a database administrator. Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Database Administration can increase your chances of getting a job in this field, as many employers require it as a prerequisite when applying for data science positions.
Key Database Administration Skills to List on Your Resume
When putting your resume together, be sure to include the relevant database administrator skills that your potential employer may be looking for. Check out some skills that you should always include in your resume to improve your chances of launching your career in computer science and database administration.
Team Player
You will work with others in a team as a database administrator. You must be able to work alongside others to solve problems and manage databases. You will also interact with other members of your company, such as database analysts, database developers, and network administrators, so your communication skills must be good.
Problem Solving
As a database administrator, expect to solve problems every day. For example, you’ll need to understand what to do if a disaster occurs, especially if there’s a need to recover data from backups. Your analytical skills must also be top-notch.
Data Security
Ensuring the safety of the database is one of the duties of a database administrator. This is a technical skill that involves assigning permissions to specific users within a database to prevent unauthorized access. Administrators must also take steps to ensure that the integrity of the database is not compromised.
Where to Find Database Administration Jobs
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Caption: You can have a fulfilling career working with complex systems as a database administrator.
Knowing where to search for jobs is as important as having the knowledge to carry out the job. Looking for opportunities in the wrong places will be tantamount to wasting your time and resources. Below are a few good places to search for a database administrator job.
Network
A good way to get a job is by spreading the word to your network that you’re looking for work. Be willing to talk about your job search and preferences with your family or friends. Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Reddit, to network with other technology professionals to learn new skills and be considered for entry-level positions.
Company Website
Many organizations have a career section on their website where they post the latest information on job openings. Oftentimes you can apply directly on this page. Regularly check the career section of the website for the company you’d like to work for so that when openings are available you will not miss them.
Job Boards
Visit top job boards to search for vacancies. Employers and recruiting agencies will sometimes reach out to prospective clients through job boards. Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, Zippia, and Glassdoor are good places to search for jobs.
How to Prepare for Your Database Administration Interview
You can prepare for your database administration interview by checking out potential interview questions online and preparing strong answers. Also, learn about the organization you wish to work for and how they conduct their interview process.
Database Administration Interview Questions
- What is the highest number of database servers you have worked with?
- What types of databases do you work with?
- How would you handle data loss during a database migration?
- Do you have hands-on experience with on-premises databases, cloud databases, or both?
The Five Highest-Paying Database Administration Jobs
| Database Administration Jobs | Average Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $151,150 | 11% |
| Database Architect | $98,860* | 8%* |
| Database Designer | $98,860* | 8%* |
| Database Tester | $98,860* | 8%* |
| Data Analyst | $86,200 | 25% |
*This statistic is grouped under Database Administrators and Architects on BLS
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Salary: $151,150
The duties of computer and information systems (CIS) managers include creating technology goals, overseeing IT staff, and installing and managing computer systems. Typically, CIS managers hold a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related discipline.
Database Architect
Salary: $98,860
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A data architect’s job is to design, create, deploy, and manage the data architecture of an organization. These architects should have a wealth of experience in databases.
Database Designer
Salary: $98,860
A database designer, or database developer, defines a detailed database design, including designing elements such as views, constraints, tables, and other constructs that are required to save, delete, and retrieve objects.
Database Tester
Salary: $98,860
Database testers perform different tasks, such as checking data validity and the performance of tasks related to the testing of procedures and databases. Database testers should have good knowledge of relational database management systems.
Data Analyst
Salary: $86,200
The job of a data analyst is to collect, clean, and interpret datasets. They use the results obtained to answer a question or solve a problem. Data analysts are required in many industries, including finance, medicine, and criminal justice.
Database Administration Career Path
A database administrator’s career path from entry-level to senior-level is more of a marathon than a sprint. Every piece of knowledge you gain through work experience will qualify you for advancement in the career path. For example, a junior database administrator can be promoted to senior database administrator or a management position like IT project manager. Discover the average salary for each level of experience in the field below.
Entry-Level Database Administrator Jobs
- Data Scientist – Data scientists gather and analyze large sets of unstructured data. They analyze, process, and model data to obtain results that they interpret to create plans for companies and organizations.
- Computer Programmer– Computer programmers generate computer codes that translate program designs into applications and computer programs. Computers programmers are familiar with programming languages and hold at least an associate degree.
- SQL Developer – An SQL developer creates databases and writes SQL series using an SQL program. SQL is used to create and manage computer database applications.
Mid-Level Database Administration Jobs
- Data Engineer – Data engineers are IT workers that prepare data for operational or analytical use. These engineers create data pipelines to bring a host of information from different systems together.
- Information Security Analyst – The job of an information security analyst is to plan and carry out security measures that will be used to protect the computer networks and systems of an organization. Many information security analysts work with computer companies, business companies, and consulting firms.
- Database Architect – The job of a network and computer systems administrator is to organize, install and support the computer systems of the organization they work for. They are responsible for the day-to-day running of computer networks including network segments, intranets, WANs and LANs.
Senior-Level Database Administration Jobs
- Database Manager – A database manager develops and maintains the systems that store a company’s data. They ensure that stored data is safe by implementing different security programs.
- Oracle Database Administrators – Oracle database administrators are responsible for the organization and storage of data using Oracle’s database software solutions. Oracle database administrators are key in the success of businesses and corporations.
- Operations Research Analyst – The job of an operations research analyst is to advise top decision-makers on an appropriate course of action to take in resolving problems. Research analysts use analytical and advanced mathematical methods to solve problems and arrive at excellent decisions.
Database Administration Certifications
Certifications for database administrators can help to boost your professional development in a database administrator role. There are different types of certifications for different stages of your database administration career.
Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional
This certification expands your knowledge and skills by exposing you to a wide range of key database features and tasks. The Oracle Database certification will teach you how to carry out complex tasks and how to study and practice with database technologies.
IBM Certified Database Associate — DB2 9 Fundamentals
To get this IBM certification, you must be knowledgeable on the fundamental concepts of database administration, through experience or education. You must also have an in-depth knowledge of the day-to-day, basic tasks that business administrators carry out.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
A CISM certification is for professionals with at least five years of experience in the field. This course helps sharpen your skills in the development and management of information security systems and the enhancement of database performance. This certification will show employers that you are advanced and a top-level prospect.
Tips on How to Get a Job in Database Administration
Having knowledge on how to work in a field is not enough for you to land a job. You also need to do the right things at the right time to get the right job. We have arranged some simple steps below that can help you land your dream job.
Complete Your Education
Many employers require a minimum educational qualification of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field for a database administration role. Clearing your board examination exams in subjects like computer science, math, and physics can make it easier for you to get college admission for courses like data management and computer security.
Get Professional Certification
Since database administrators use many software tools to perform their everyday tasks, gaining professional certification from some of these software vendors will show how credible you are and improve your chances of getting better opportunities.
Gain Experience
It is necessary for you to gain some practical experience before you can become a full-time database administrator. Learn how to use third-party tools for database design, coding, documentation, and user applications. You can get this experience through internships, projects, and part-time work. You can also expand your network through internships.
Apply For Jobs
Find companies that have vacancies for database administrators and reach out to them. You can do this via college placement cells or through an online job portal. Make sure to include all relevant technical skills in your resume. Highlight any certifications you may have and the internship programs you have taken, as well.
Keep an Open Mind and Do More
Be ready to continue improving yourself after applying for jobs. Also, do not expect that you will get your ideal job opportunity in your first few tries. Sometimes, it could take longer than that. Keep trying to work on yourself and your skills, gain more experience, and prepare for interviews.
Should You Get a Job in Database Administration in 2022?
Yes, getting a job in database administration is a great idea in 2022. The average annual salary of a database administrator is $98,860, as stated by BLS. This means that the salary for this role is quite competitive. The job outlook is also at eight percent which is on-par with the national average of eight percent. This is an exciting field with plenty of career progression that is sure to leave you feeling fulfilled.
Database Administration FAQ
Yes you can become a database administrator without a degree, if you attend a coding bootcamp that specializes in data science. A data science bootcamp will give you specialist training on how to become a database administrator. Many employers will, however, ask for at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Some of the skills required of database administrators include excellent speaking skills, business intelligence, critical thinking skills, knowledge of key computer languages, and problem-solving skills.
Yes, database administration can be very challenging, because you have a lot of responsibility for taking care of an important part of a business. The structure and integrity of a business’ database can decide if the business will fail or succeed.
Yes, database administration can be easy to learn, but it depends on how fast you can learn the SQL programming language. SQL can be quite easy to learn, as you can finish up in a few weeks. However, it may take a bit longer if you’re a beginner.
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