Database Administrator

What a Database Administrator Does

Database administrators are responsible for handling the information stored on the computer databases of various businesses and organizations. They come up with effective ways of storing, organizing, analyzing, using and presenting this data, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Database administrators are usually skilled in using database management software, which helps them do their job more quickly and efficiently. Some database administrators are charged with integrating data from old, outdated computer systems to new, more efficient systems. When a database administrator decides that a change needs to be made to a company's database, he must test any modifications and make sure no glitches occur or data is lost. Every day, these professionals must demonstrate a thorough understanding of database systems and know the factors that affect the performance of that system. They often work closely with network administrators to devise security measures to protect private company information, as many databases are connected to the Internet. Some database administrators even participate in the design of databases.

How to Become a Database Administrator

Database administrators, along with other computer systems administrators, are often required to have a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field, the Bureau states. Bachelor's degree programs in a computer field generally take four or more years to complete and include courses in computer science, programming, networking, computer engineering, math and statistics. For some positions, however, an associate degree or professional certification coupled with relevant experience will suffice. The most pertinent majors that will equip you for this career include: computer science, information science, and management information systems (MIS). Earning a degree in another area is sometimes acceptable, provided you take supplementary computer courses. Experience is key for entering this line of work, and employers expect new database administrators to be ready to hit the ground running. Not all database administrators start out immediately doing what they do. A good many start out working at low-level jobs in computer support, where they gain the experience that is often needed for advancement to database administration. Earning certifications in the field can greatly increase your job prospects.

Career Outlook for Database Administrators

If you want excellent job prospects, than pursuing a career as a database administrator might be a good idea. According to the Bureau, database administrators are projected to experience 20 percent job growth between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster growth than is expected in other occupations. Increased demand for database administrators will be spurred by different organizations' need for qualified personnel to store, organize and analyze their ever-increasing collection of data, the Bureau believes. This reflects society's continual move away from hard-copy information storage and movement toward storing all pertinent information in computer and online databases. Also, as data security becomes more of a priority to today's organizations, more database administrators will be needed to protect this data from hackers and other threats. The average yearly salary for database administrators was $69,740 as of May 2008, with the middle 50 percent of all database administrators earning between $52,340 and $91,850, the Bureau shows.