Database Administrator Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a database administrator job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a database administrator. Feel free to use our database administrator job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a database administrator.
Who is a Database Administrator?
A database administrator (DBA), is a specialist computer systems administrator who manages and maintains a database environment. Maintaining data integrity is the top responsibility of a DBA professional. The DBA is responsible for ensuring that data is not only secure but also available to users.
Database administrators will often have extensive experience and working knowledge with many database management products, including Oracle-based software, SAP, and SQL. They also may have a degree or practical experience in IT and other IT certifications.
Database managers or database administrators create and maintain databases that are compatible with their company’s needs. This group of IT professionals manages database maintenance, storage, security, and troubleshooting.
They are responsible for maintaining a company’s database and protecting data. The most important responsibility of a DBA is to maintain data integrity, make it accessible to users and prevent unauthorized access. They also manage the database environment. They are responsible for fine-tuning, upgrading, and testing modifications to the database. As this job requires the ability to resolve complex problems, DBAs aspirants must have a passion for solving problems.
Although many DBAs work as general-purpose database administrators and are skilled in a variety of tasks, some specialize in specific tasks. This can vary depending on the needs of the company they work for. There are the two most popular types of specialist DBAs:
System DBAs are database administrators who manage the technical and physical aspects and have usually a background in systems architecture. They install upgrades and patches to fix bugs in programs.
Database administrators who support specific applications such as computer-service programs are called Application DBAs. This database administrator writes or debug programs, and may be required to utilize complex programming languages to solve problems with an application. They also typically perform the tasks required of general DBAs.
Database administrators protect and access sensitive data and give access to key datasets for government agencies, institutions, companies, and other organizations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, database administrators will see a 9% increase in employment between 2018 and 2028. These professionals manage sensitive data such as customer details, financial records, and purchase histories. They make these materials available to other professionals while protecting information security and privacy settings.
Database administrators can also backup, restore, and troubleshoot databases sets and system access. They can also update and integrate old programs to implement new technology.
For most entry-level jobs, database administrators must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. These professionals might need a master’s in information technology or database administration depending on the complexity and size of their company. Database administrators must have a basic knowledge of structured query language (SQL), and software vendor certifications.
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Database Administrator Job Description
What is a database administrator job description? A database administrator job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a database administrator in an organization. Below are the database administrator job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a database administrator job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The jobs and duties of a database administrator include the following:
- Extracting of data from different sources
- Implementing cybersecurity measures
- Ensuring that all software and hardware are up-to-date
- Authenticating data
- Monitoring the performance and stability of hardware as well as software
- Configuring servers or databases
- Handling of personal data, such as financial and/or health data for certain businesses
- Monitoring the performance of your system and identifying any problems.
- Addressing user-reported errors
- Protection of the database against threats and unauthorized access
- Assuring that data is properly backed up and can be recovered in case of memory loss.
- Reporting on metrics related to usage and performance.
- Communicating with database programmers and IT project managers.
- Designing database with both back-end and front-end users in mind
- Supervising any modifications to existing database software to meet their employer’s needs
- Maintaining the integrity of and performing company databases
- Ensuring data are stored safely and optimally
- Informing end-users about changes in databases and training them to use systems
- Creating and implementing a database according to the information needs and views of end-users
- Defining users to enable data distribution to the correct user in the appropriate format and at the right time
- Reducing downtime in the database and control parameters for quick query responses
- Enforcing and documenting the policies, procedures, and standards for database management
- Testing and evaluating different strategies to protect data privacy, and integrity
- Monitoring the performance of your database, implementing changes, and applying new patches and versions as required
Database administrators analyze data by interfacing with hardware and computer software to process data, create software, or set up required functions. As part of analyzation, they would separate information and identify the underlying principles or facts. After analyzing the results, they would need to come up with solutions. They verify data, code, tabulate, compile, and/or categorize data.
A database administrator (DBA), would manage and document data, entering it in electronic, magnetic, or written form. They will keep current technology up-to-date and apply new knowledge to their jobs. The job would require them to communicate with their supervisors, co-workers, and/or managers. They would also provide expert advice to other groups regarding systems, processing, or technical subjects. I’m m
The database administrator (DBA) must speak clearly and be able to communicate any updates or information. You will need to be able to use deductive reasoning to find solutions to problems and order information according to the rules.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree is required in computer science, or another related field.
- Minimum of three years experience as a database administrator.
- Proficiency with data manipulation languages such as MS SQL, Oracle Database, and Hadoop.
- Good problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Highly organized and responsible.
- Capable of working under pressure
- Be up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in database administration
How to Become a Database Administrator
- Get a degree
DBAs should have at least a bachelor’s degree, either in computer science or information technology. These programs include classes in web page applications, database systems, and distributed systems, data communication, data structure, mining, and management systems. Candidates with a master’s in computer science, information system, or technology are preferred by large organizations. This allows candidates to concentrate their studies on database or data management.
Candidates must be proficient in database languages by the end of their education, especially Structured Query Language (also known as SQL).
- Do an internship
Although it is not required, candidates can do an internship while they are pursuing their studies. This allows them to gain hands-on experience doing the same tasks as database administrators. This will help you to stand out from other candidates and build your resume.
- Obtain a certification
Potential employers can help database administrators who are interested in becoming database administrators stand out by getting certifications. These certifications validate the knowledge and best practice required to perform the job. Many companies require database administrators to have certifications in the products they use. These certifications are worth considering:
- Oracle Certified Professional
- IBM Certified Database Administrator
- Microsoft SQL Server Database Certifications
- Oracle Database 12c Administrator
- SAP Certified Technology Associate
Essential Skills
It takes planning and careful thought to implement database administration in a way that is efficient and effective for your company. However, it is important to understand the basic skills required to become a DBA. Here are different skills that will make you a successful DBA.
- Data modeling and database design
The DBA must also be responsible for data modeling and normalization, as well as conceptual and logical design, if the data resource management discipline is not yet in place.
- Management of metadata and repository usage
The DBA (or sometimes Data Architect) must collect, store and manage metadata. The data in databases is not true to its meaning if it doesn’t have metadata.
- Management and creation of database schemas
A DBA must have the ability to convert a data model, logical database design, into a physical database implementation. Once it is implemented, they will need to be able to manage that database.
- Backup and recovery
The DBA’s insurance policy includes the implementation of robust backup and recovery procedures. A DBA must create a database backup and recovery strategy that is based on application availability and data volatility.
- Ensuring data integrity
DBAs need to be able to design databases that allow only correct and relevant data to be entered and maintained. The DBA must also ensure that the database’s structural integrity is maintained.
- Tuning and performance management
DBAs often face the most difficult post-implementation problem: dealing with performance issues. To optimize performance, DBAs must be able to monitor and make adjustments to the database environment, SQL, application logic, or the DBMS subsystem.
- Assuring availability
Data and applications need to be available at all times. Data availability must be guaranteed by the DBA using non-disruptive administration techniques.
- Procedural skills
Modern databases are more than just data. To help create, debug, implement and maintain stored procedures, triggers, and user-defined functions stored in the DBMS, the DBA must have procedural skills.
- Data security
Data security is the responsibility of the DBA. This involves the creation of a robust security infrastructure for both production and test databases. A database auditing capability is also required to verify compliance.
- Planning for capacity
The DBA must be able to support more data, users, and connections as data usage and consumption continue to rise. A core competency of the DBA is the ability to forecast growth using data usage patterns and to make the necessary database changes to accommodate that growth.
- General database management
The DBA is the main source of information about databases within the company. He must be able to communicate accurately with others and understand the fundamentals of relational databases technology.
- Networking and general systems management skills
The DBA must have a broad knowledge of systems management and networking skills, as databases can be accessed across the company and interact with other technologies once they are implemented. This requires that the DBA can integrate database administration tasks and general system management tasks (such as job scheduling, network management, and transaction processing).
- Extensible data type administration
Modern DBMSs can be extended with user-defined data types. These extended data types can be implemented by DBMS vendors. The DBA should understand the details and be able to implement and manage any data types in their databases.
- Web-specific technology knowledge
DBAs must know internet technologies and web technologies to allow databases to take part in Web-based applications.
- Attention to detail
Database administrators are skilled in complex systems and can track unusual activities that could harm or cause lapses within the system. When necessary, they identify and fix bugs. They are detail-oriented and can evaluate all software the company wants to use.
- Critical thinking
These professionals are responsible for monitoring the performance of the system and evaluating both structured and unstructured data. They also have to identify security issues and fix bugs. They must be able to think quickly and logically to analyze the problem and offer a solution.
- Communication skills
Database administrators record their findings and create manuals to support operations, backup, and restoration of data. They communicate with programmers and project managers to discuss software, data management, and user access. They communicate with their colleagues by using excellent communication skills, including writing, listening, and speaking.
- Organizational skills
Database administrators work with many stakeholders and provide access to databases for employees. They also complete their daily tasks. They are responsible for monitoring databases and researching software to improve current systems. They might also help other stakeholders with questions or troubleshoot databases.
- Listening skills
Database administrators often liaison between multiple stakeholders. They can understand the objectives of database management and set up systems accordingly. They can actively listen and offer suggestions for improvement.
Where to Work
Any organization that has access to computerized databases can have opportunities, whether it is in the private or public sectors.
Database administrators are used by IT companies to manage their systems as well as to assist clients with projects.
The job is highly skilled and there have been steady increases in vacancies over the years. It is possible to get direct entry into graduate positions with large companies.
Contracting is an option for DBAs with experience, and most job websites also offer contract positions. You can also search niche sites such as Contractor UK and Freelancers.net to find leads.
Database Administrator Salary Scale
The average base salary for database administrators in the United States is $86,719 per annum.