Database Administrators: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Database Administrators

Database Administrators 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.

Salary
$101090
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Database Administrators 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.

  • 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.
  • Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
  • Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
Read more about what does a Database Administrator really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$92030 per year

Average hourly wage
$44 per hour


Database Administrators with little to no experience tend to make between $50340 and $66200 while the more experienced ones can earn over $116060 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
NJ $53 $110,160
WA $50 $104,700
CA $49 $100,890
CT $48 $100,570
NY $48 $99,000

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Database Administrator is to move to a higher paying state like NJ. Right now, the highest paying states for Database Administrators are NJ, WA, CA, CT and NY.

However, a higher pay at NJ doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at NJ might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Database Administrator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Bachelor’s degree

We asked other Database Administrators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by a First Professional Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Computer and Information Sciences, General
Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance
Read more about how to become a Database Administrator and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Database Administrator.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to follow routines
Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers)
Normal working hours (40 hours per week)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
72%

Is this job meaningful
49%


72% of Database Administrators said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Organizers and The Thinkers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.



Learn more about Database Administrators

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Database Administrators job description, Database Administrators salary, Database Administrators information, what is the job of a Database Administrator like, pros and cons about Database Administrators, colleges and universities for Database Administrators, is Database Administrators the right career for me, careers in Computer IT and Mathematics

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