...the Web's Best Employment Resources

Database Administration Job Overview

Database administrators are highly trained professionals who work with database management systems and software. Apart from organizing and storing data, they also create new databases according to the requirements of the user. These professionals are also involved in testing and coordinating modifications to computer systems when required. They are also required to be familiar with the various problems that might arise in the functioning of the systems.

Database Administration Schools and Degrees

If you intend to build a career as a database administrator, you would need to have the required qualifications. This can range from an associate degree to a doctoral degree. A two-year degree with work experience may also be sufficient. One might be required to have a bachelor’s degree in subjects like information science, computer science or management information systems. Private training institutions offer continuing education that is necessary in database administration.

There are many community colleges, universities and technical institutes that offer the necessary qualifications required of a database administrator. Four year occupation specific degree programs are also offered to candidates.

Job Requirements

Database administrators can opt for certificates that are offered by private companies. This kind of certification is considered to be in-sync with the industrial standards. One can be hired as a database administrator and then obtain certification on a particular software package in database management. There are many organizations that provide opportunity for voluntary certifications.

Database administrators can achieve a managerial position, like that of a chief technology officer. For this to happen, however, experience in data management and enforcement of security is essential. These professionals need to be efficient learners, have an eye for detail and have good communication skills and logical thinking ability.

Nature of Work

Database administrators need to identify the needs of the users and set up the database accordingly. They are also required to ensure that the system is performing properly.

Database administrators usually work in laboratories or offices. Generally, they are required to work for 40 hours a week. For solving specific problems or for meeting deadlines, database administrators might be required to work overtime or on weekends. Work can be done through the Internet or e-mail, but some work needs to done from the office for security reasons.

Database Administration Jobs and Outlook

According to a study performed by the United States Department of Labor in 2006, database administrators held about 542,000 jobs in the US. Employment is largest in the following industries:

• Computer systems design and related services
• Management of companies and enterprises
• Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
• State government
• Wired telecommunications carriers

The median annual earnings of a database administrator in the US was recorded to be $64,670 in May of 2006.

Job Numbers and Growth

There are an estimated 119,000 DBAs nationally. Most recently, workers have experienced a very low level of joblessness. An estimated 2% of employees did not have employment in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

DBAs -of-a-feather seem to flock to Boulder (Colorado), Ithaca (New York), and Durham (North Carolina). They are less likely to be found around Hickory (North Carolina), Gary (Indiana), and Youngstown (Ohio).

Compensation of workers is best in San Francisco (California), Stockton (California), and Trenton (New Jersey), and much worse in Johnson City (Tennessee), Port St. Lucie (Florida), and Lynchburg (Virginia).

Training and Education

Employees often find employers are looking for a bachelor's degree. DBAs, in 72% of cases, have bachelor's degree or higher. After high school, 24% of workers pursued some additional career education. Employees, in 5% of cases, had only a high school education. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

DBAs employed part-time are 5% of the total. Workers, in about 1% of cases, work for themselves.

DBAs by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin