Database Administrators : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Summary

Database administrators ensure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access.

Quick Facts: Database Administrators
2010 Median Pay	$73,490 per year $35.33 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	1 to 5 years
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	110,800
Job Outlook, 2010-20	31% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	33,900

What Database Administrators Do

Database administrators use software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They make sure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access.

Work Environment

Database administrators work in many different types of industries, including computer systems design and related services firms, insurance companies, banks, and hospitals. Almost all of them work full time and about 25 percent work more than 40 hours per week.

How to Become a Database Administrator

Database administrators usually have a bachelor’s degree in an information- or computer- related subject. Before becoming administrators, these workers typically get experience in a related field.

Pay

The median annual wage of database administrators was $73,490 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of database administrators is projected to grow 31 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Rapid growth in data collection by businesses, as well as increased need for database security measures, will contribute to the growth of this occupation.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of database administrators with similar occupations.

O*NET

O*NET provides comprehensive information on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Contacts for More Information

Learn more about database administrators by contacting these additional resources.

What Database Administrators Do About this section

Database administrators ensure databases run efficiently.

Duties

Database administrators typically do the following:

Identify user needs to create and administer databases
Ensure that the database operates efficiently and without error
Make and test modifications to the database structure when needed
Maintain the database and update permissions
Merge old databases into new ones
Backup and restore data to prevent data loss

Database administrators, often called DBAs, make sure that data analysts can easily use the database to find the information they need and that the system performs as it should. DBAs sometimes work with an organization’s management to understand the company’s data needs and to plan the goals of the database. Database administrators often plan security measures, making sure that data are secure from unauthorized access. Many databases contain personal or financial information, making security important. Database administrators are responsible for backing up systems in case of a power outage or other disaster. They also ensure the integrity of the database, guaranteeing that the data stored in it come from reliable sources.

Many database administrators are general-purpose DBAs and have all these duties. However, some DBAs specialize in certain tasks that vary with the organization and its needs. Two common specialties are as follows:

System DBAs are responsible for the physical and technical aspects of a database, such as installing upgrades and patches to fix program bugs. They typically have a background in system architecture and ensure that the database in a firm’s computer systems works properly.

Application DBAs support a database that has been designed for a specific application or a set of applications, such as customer service software. Using complex programming languages, they may write or debug programs and must be able to manage the aspects of the applications that work with the database. They also do all the tasks of a general DBA, but only for their particular application.

Work Environment About this section

Database administrators are often referred to as DBAs.

Database administrators (DBAs) held about 110,800 jobs in 2010, and were employed in many types of industries. The largest number work for computer systems design and related services firms, such as Internet service providers and data-processing firms. Other DBAs are employed by firms with large databases, such as insurance companies and banks, both of which keep track of vast amounts of personal and financial data for their clients. Some DBAs administer databases for retail companies that keep track of their buyers’ credit card and shipping information; others work for healthcare firms and manage patients’ medical records.

The following industries employed the most database administrators in 2010:

Computer systems design and related services	15%
Finance and insurance	13
Information	10
Educational services; state, local, and private	9
Government	7

Work Schedules

Almost all database administrators work full time and about 25 percent work more than 40 hours per week.

How to Become a Database Administrator About this section

Most database administrators have a bachelor’s degree in management information systems (MIS) or a computer-related field.

Database administrators (DBAs) usually have a bachelor’s degree in an information- or computer- related subject. Before becoming an administrator, these workers typically get experience in a related field.

Education

Most database administrators have a bachelor’s degree in management information systems (MIS) or a computer-related field. Firms with large databases may prefer applicants who have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in information systems. An MBA typically requires 2 years of schooling after the undergraduate level.

Database administrators need an understanding of database languages, the most common of which is SQL. Most database systems use some variation of SQL, and a DBA will need to become familiar with whichever language the firm uses.

Certification

Certification is a way to demonstrate competence and may provide a jobseeker with a competitive advantage. Certification programs are generally offered by product vendors or software firms. Some companies may require their database administrators to be certified in the product they use.

Work Experience

Most database administrators do not begin their careers in that occupation. Many first work as database developers or data analysts. A database developer is a type of software developer who specializes in creating databases. The job of a data analyst is to interpret the information stored in a database in a way the firm can use. Depending on their specialty, data analysts can have different job titles, including financial analyst, market research analyst, and operations research analyst. After mastering these fields, they may become a database administrator. For more information, see the profiles on software developers, financial analysts, market research analysts, and operations research analysts.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. DBAs must be able to monitor a database system’s performance to determine when action is needed. They must be able to evaluate complex information that comes from a variety of sources.

Communication skills. Most database administrators work on teams and must be able to communicate effectively with developers, managers, and other workers.

Detail oriented. Working with databases requires an understanding of complex systems, in which a minor error can cause major problems. For example, mixing up customers’ credit card information can cause someone to be charged for a purchase he or she didn’t make.

Logical thinking. Database administrators use software to make sense of information and to arrange and organize it into meaningful patterns. The information is then stored in the databases that these workers administer, test, and maintain.

Problem-solving skills. When problems with a database arise, administrators must be able to diagnose and correct them.

Pay About this section

Database Administrators

Median annual wages, May 2010

Computer Occupations: $73,710
Database Administrators: $73,490
Total, All Occupations: $33,840

The median annual wage of database administrators (DBAs) was $73,490 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,570, and the top 10 percent earned more than $115,660.

The wages for DBAs vary with the industry in which they work:

Computer systems design and related services	$82,820
Finance and insurance	81,640
Federal, state, and local government	69,320
Health care and social assistance	65,380
Educational services	62,580

Almost all database administrators work full time, and about 25 percent work more than 40 hours per week.

Job Outlook About this section

Database Administrators

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Database Administrators: 31%
Computer Occupations: 22%
Total, All Occupations: 14%

Employment of database administrators (DBAs) is projected to grow 31 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Rapid growth in data collection by businesses will contribute to the growth of this occupation. Database administrators will be needed to organize and present data in a way that makes it easy for analysts and other stakeholders to understand. Additional job growth will occur as database security needs grow and as DBAs are called on to implement information security measures.

Employment growth for database administrators is expected in healthcare industries because, as the use of electronic medical records increases, more databases will be needed to keep track of patient information.

Job Prospects

Job prospects should be favorable. Database administrators are in high demand, and firms sometimes have difficulty finding qualified workers. Applicants who have experience with new technology should have the best prospects.

Employment projections data for database administrators, 2010-20
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Change, 2010-20		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Database Administrators	15-1141	110,800	144,800	31	33,900	[XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of database administrators.

Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2010 MEDIAN PAY
Computer and Information Systems Managers	Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology managers (IT managers or IT project managers), plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing the appropriate computer systems to meet those goals.	Bachelor’s degree	$115,780
Computer Programmers	Computer programmers write code to create software programs. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.	Bachelor’s degree	$71,380
Computer Support Specialists	Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called technical support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization. Others, called help-desk technicians, assist non-IT users who are having computer problems.	Some college, no degree	$46,260
Computer Systems Analysts	Computer systems analysts study an organization's current computer systems and procedures and make recommendations to management to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.	Bachelor’s degree	$77,740
Information Security Analysts, Web Developers, and Computer Network Architects	Information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects all use information technology (IT) to advance their organization’s goals. Security analysts ensure a firm’s information stays safe from cyberattacks. Web developers create websites to help firms have a public face. Computer network architects create the internal networks all workers within organizations use.	Bachelor’s degree	$75,660
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of an organization’s computer networks. They organize, install, and support an organization’s computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.	Bachelor’s degree	$69,160
Operations Research Analysts	Operations research analysts use advanced methods of analysis to help organizations solve problems and make better decisions.	Bachelor’s degree	$70,960
Software Developers	Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks.	Bachelor’s degree	$90,530
Statisticians	Statisticians use mathematical techniques to analyze and interpret data and draw conclusions.	Master’s degree	$72,830