How to Become a Database Administrator
What is a Database Administrator
If you're looking for a career that's growing with more and more opportunities presented every day, becoming a database administrator is a great place to start. Bonus points are awarded if you already have a bachelor's degree in an information- or computer-related subject.
Database Administrators focus their time on using specialized software to store and organize data. Every industry that has a large database is going to hire for this position. But typically these employees can be found working for educational institutions and insurance companies.
What Does a Database Administrator Do
Database administrators use specialized 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.
How To Become a Database Administrator
Database administrators (DBAs) usually have a bachelor’s degree in an information- or computer-related subject such as computer science. Before becoming an administrator, these workers typically get work experience in a related field.
EducationMost 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’s degree focusing on data or database management, typically either in computer science, information systems, or information technology.
Database administrators need an understanding of database languages, the most common of which is Structured Query Language, commonly called SQL. Most database systems use some variation of SQL, and a DBA will need to become familiar with whichever programming language the firm uses.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsCertification is generally offered directly from software vendors or from vendor-neutral certification providers. Certification validates the knowledge and best practices required from DBAs. Companies may require their database administrators to be certified in the products they use.
Work Experience in a Related OccupationMost do not begin their careers as database administrators. 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 one of 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.
AdvancementDatabase administrators can advance to become computer and information systems managers.
Important QualitiesAnalytical 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 must make sense of data and organize it in a meaningful pattern so that it is easily retrievable.
Problem-solving skills. When problems with a database arise, administrators must be able to troubleshoot and correct the problems.
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Database Administrator Career Paths
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a database administrator can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as consultant, progress to a title such as information technology manager and then eventually end up with the title information technology operations manager.
Database Administrator Jobs You Might Like
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Average Salary for a Database Administrator
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Database Administrator Resumes
Designing and figuring out what to include on your resume can be tough, not to mention time-consuming. That's why we put together a guide that is designed to help you craft the perfect resume for becoming a Database Administrator. If you're needing extra inspiration, take a look through our selection of templates that are specific to your job.
James Campbell |
Paul Cole  Newark, DE  (320) 555-5907  pcole@example.com Experience Database Administrator2014 - Present Bank of America•Newark, DE
Software Developer2013 - 2014 Bank of America•Newark, DE
Systems Administrator2011 - 2013 Celgene•New York, NY
Systems Administration Analyst2001 - 2011 IBM•New York, NY
Skills User InterfaceDatabaseWeb ServicesDisaster RecoveryLinuxSystem PerformanceInfrastructureHardwareAjaxAngularjs Education Bachelor's Degree Computer Science1993 - 1996 New York University•New York, NY |
Eugene Kelley  Database Administrator2020 - Present Cisco SystemsSan Jose, CA
Systems Administrator2015 - 2020 Cisco SystemsSan Jose, CA
Programmer Analyst2008 - 2015 Lockheed MartinSan Jose, CA
Computer Programmer2006 - 2008 IBMSan Jose, CA
 Bachelor's Degree Business2003 - 2006 San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA |
Contact Information  San Jose, CA (800) 555-8357 ekelley@example.comSkills Infrastructure Database Problem Resolution J2Ee Project Management Windows Android Computer Programs VPN Data Centers |
Raymond Jordan  Plano, TX  (260) 555-1699  rjordan@example.com Skills Source SystemsCustomer DataStataBackupDatabaseCSSCustomer ServiceMaintenance PlansProceduresInformatica |
Employment History Database Administrator2020 - Present Verizon•Plano, TX
Data Analyst2018 - 2020 Dell•Plano, TX
Software Engineer2015 - 2018 Lockheed Martin•Fort Worth, TX
Applications Programmer2014 - 2015 AT&T•Houston, TX
Education Bachelor's Degree Computer Science2011 - 2014 Texas A&M University•College Station, TX |
- Experienced in Teradata Manager which is used to create Alerts, Monitor system.
- Provided Production database support, such as troubleshooting of database performance issues.
- Performed SQL Server 2000 Clustering with Windows 2000 advanced Server.
- Created a process of Full/Differential/Log backup from production database with copying backup files to a file server.
- Worked for 14 years total with SQL Server (all versions) on Windows NT, Windows 2000 , and Windows 2003..
- Generated and analyzed key financial ratios and other performance indicators for Key Corp and SunTrust.
- Direct Reports: 4 Promoted through various positions.
- Project Management include ML to BofA systems transition, E2A reporting, KPI metrics, trade volumes reporting standards.
- Provided oversight and review of business unit accounting accuracy and compliance with corporate policies.
- Create project test cases and support scripts to certify user acceptance testing (UAT) as well as production sign off.
- Assisted in documenting Informatica ETL mapping which included pre-mapping, main mapping and post-mapping design.
- Write business requirements for marketing group; perform statistical data analysis and reporting on consumer internet usage.
- Helped the Business Users while performing the UAT testing and helping them resolve the defects in the environment.
- Attended training for Project Management Fundamentals, Microsoft Project, Disaster Recovery, HIPAA, Change Management, RAID.
- Developed and maintained Application Support standards and procedures and other documentation as required.
- Hardware
- Financial Statements
- Plant Management
- Information Technology
- Oversight
- User Interface
- Scrum
- Itil
- CPA
- Subject Matter Experts
- Major: Information Systems
- Optimized SQL and database for faster Query response times.
- Implemented high availability solutions like log shipping and database mirroring.
- Enhanced end users understanding of database systems by creating user-friendly walk-through guide materials.
- Lead team in the planning and implementation of Compaq's North American SAP environment on Tru64 UNIX.
- Oversee review and audit of financial systems to comply with corporate policies, GAAP and Sarbanes/Oxley.
- Contributed to the successful transition of ERP systems.
- Developed & documented procedures for accounts payable and recurring journal entries to ensure accuracy & consistency of those postings.
- Managed and maintained all debt calculations, monthly accruals, payroll entries and all balance sheet account reconciliations.
- Reviewed client specifications and developed rollout and implementation plans and procedures for new clients.
- Key Achievements: - Data Warehouse & Business Intelligence
- Involved in tracking Actual Release dates to QA environment as compared to planned Release dates.
- Tested the Disaster Recovery procedures for one site in an actual disaster recovery test.
- Gather business requirements, perform data analysis, create specifications and lead functional testing for the development of new business-critical functionality.
- Create test plans and cases for functional testing and support QA during the SIT and UAT phases.
- Designed fifteen new online SPARK screens that allow the setup and maintenance of stock plan information.
- Performed all Oracle DBA functions, including backups, recovery, patching, TAR resolution and installation of hardware and databases.
- Deployed project releases in QA and Production region on weblogic and websphere server by running unix shell scripts.
- Developed Access database to track wireless assets for SOX internal controls in RAD environment.
- Provided administration and support of corporate ERP, Financial, and ancillary systems.
- Managed the HSMS (Hazardous Substance Management Systems) database at Ft.Meade, MD.
- Supported life cycle of development, and was in charge of database related production release.
- Install, modify and repair computer hardware and software b.
- Configure, administer and support Windows Server Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, IIS etc.
- Deployed, configured and troubleshoot 700 BlackBerry devices using server consoles BAS/BES minimizing downtime.
- Manage and maintain backups and SAN storage consisting of 160TB.
- Assisted Network Administrators with setup, maintenance and troubleshooting on Windows Servers, Terminal servers andCisco Devices.
- Experienced on various hardware platforms including IBM 3090, IBM System/36, DEC/VAX, TANDEM, and BURROUGHS systems.
- Created detailed activities of SOW procedures for the users.
- Interacted with the QA team to investigate and resolve production issues.
- Monitored devices for errors such as hardware, and zoning issues.
- Performed data warehousing, database backup/recovery, installation, system configuration, system administrative tasks and support for application database software.
- Prepare daily risk report, which includes all backup failures on UNIX, Lotus Notes and Windows servers.
- Edited and Upgraded Microsoft Services for Unix Documentation from SFU 3.0 to SFU 3.5.
- Developed new program in PL/SQL and Modified old programs for Payables Open Interface to import invoices from two different sources.
- DBA
- Computer Equipment
- Information Technology
- Windows
- Software Applications
- User Interface
- End User
- Hardware
- Infrastructure
- Database
- Deleted nodes from existing 10g/11g R2 RAC.
- Installed database and configured server configuration.
- Programmed several enhancements to the Database to allow users to save time and ensure accurate data entry.
- Executed Physical Database changes to existing database objects.
- Created perspectives, partitions, and Designed aggregations in cubes using SSAS.
- Created Store Procedures, Functions and Triggers for retrieval and update of data in the database.
- Work in progress on POC to migrate to Windows Azure to address scalability and performance issues.
- Monitor production application performance, and coordinate database file management activities, i.e.
- Manipulated database security by creating authentication on databases.
- Supported data warehouses to resolve data integrity issues and refine existing processes.
- Created custom PL/SQL procedures to read data from flat files to dump into Oracle database using SQL * Loader.
- Data Warehouse
- AWS
- Backup
- Cloud
- Disk
- Dbcc
- Ssas
- High Availability
- Capacity Planning
- DBA
- Perform several Disaster and Recovery and Cloning of the Oracle Database and ERP system.
- Designed, developed, and implemented MS Access97 database to track training requirements and activities of personnel.
- Resolved issues with the migration of an undocumented legacy Sybase 12 database.
- Design and develop logical and physical database designs from customer requirements.
- Configured Recovery Manager and executed database performance tuning on all databases.
- Design of new database architecture.
- Key Accomplishments: * Integrated Data Palette to HPs Database Management Automation (DMA) software.
- Involved in setting up disaster recovery sites using Data Guard technology.
- Designed dynamic client-side JavaScript codes to build web forms and simulate process for web application, page navigation and form validation.
- Created corn jobs calling UNIX scripts to download and manipulate files and to generate the XML Reports.
- Developed PL/SQL procedures and functions to migrate data between Oracle Databases.
- Designed and developed Oracle PL/SQL Procedures.
- Worked on stored procedures, triggers in Oracle 10g.
- Created tables, temporary tables, materialized views, constraints, managing triggers, stored procedures & cursors.
- Developed Mapplets, reusable transformations to populate the data into data warehouse.
- Reworked PL/SQL modules to implement single point of entry and single point of exit.
- Utilized Hadoop and NoSQL for ETL testing.
- Work with enterprise data warehouse team to ensure data properly loaded from and into the data warehouse system.
- Support for Database managent and structural change activites Ensure proper access to database for authorized users.
- Create Database maintenance plans, including updating statistics, re-indexing, structure modification, index.
- Performed as a leader in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Project Management, and Quality Assurance methodologies.
- Trained Intermountain Healthcare (IHC) staff on the use of GeCentricity EHR products.
- Prepared month-end close reports like -Income statements, Balance sheet and statement of cash flow.
- Performed audits, reviews and compilations on behalf of local CPA firms and private companies, including IDM Corporation.
- Provided support to applications programmers and operations staff in scheduling and problem resolution.
- Coded new Cobol programs and provided maintenance on existing Cobol and Speedware Applications.
- Provided remote MVS support for multiple z/OS complexes.
- Provide LAN administration and support to field based Windows 2000 users in a Windows Network environment.
- Integrated Informatica's web services in the SMARTDATA.
- Streamlined process for sending mainframe manufacturing orders to Process Management Information System on UNIX platform utilizing FTP and UNIX scripts.
- Data Warehouse
- Ssis
- Production Environment
- Linux
- Procedures
- Technical Solutions
- Disaster Recovery
- Project Management
- Healthcare
- Javascript
- Provided coaching/mentoring to DBA team to develop career succession plan.
- Implemented a log shipping solution for high availability and optimized an existing replication solution.
- Assisted with design and testing of data warehouse creation.
- Used SharePoint as a Repository.
- Designed and developed an interface using BPEL and PL/SQL to deliver payment information in the XML format to the bank.
- Developed and improved inventory management system using MS Access and VBA.
- Conduct weekly presentations/design reviews with operations, construction, engineers and project management.
- Major work included Java, JSP, JSTL WSAD, Oracle and Websphere Commerce Server suite.
- Used EJB Query Language for all database interactions.
- Used Firebug for JavaScript debugging process.
- Developed classes to interface with underlying web services layer.
- Follow up with healthcare providers; ensure contracts are received, signed, and returned.
- Provided database administration during strategic planning of massive telecomm-billing database Provided full support.
- Developed SQL Server Integration Services packages for the migration of FoxPro data to SQL Server 2005.
Learn How To Write a Database Administrator Resume
At Zippia, we went through countless Database Administrator resumes and compiled some information about how to optimize them. Here are some suggestions based on what we found, divided by the individual sections of the resume itself.
View Database Administrator Resume Examples And Templates
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Create The Perfect Resume
Our resume builder tool will walk you through the process of creating a stand-out Database Administrator resume.
Top Colleges for Database Administrators
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA • Private
Find the best Database Administrator job for you
Online Courses For Database Administrator That You May Like
Master using RMAN in performing backup and recovery activities on Oracle Databases. No course covers the same topics!...
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Beginner-Intermediate practical experience in Database Administration (DBA) SQL Server. Was for Microsoft exam 70-462...
Top Skills For a Database Administrator
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 17.3% of database administrators listed database on their resume, but soft skills such as analytical skills and communication skills are important as well.
- Database, 17.3%
- Disaster Recovery, 6.1%
- Customer Service, 5.1%
- SQL, 4.7%
- Linux, 4.5%
- Other Skills, 62.3% See All Database Administrator Skills
12 Database Administrator RESUME EXAMPLES
Build a professional database administrator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 12+ resume templates to create your database administrator resume.
Best States For a Database Administrator
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a database administrator. The best states for people in this position are Washington, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Database administrators make the most in Washington with an average salary of $89,149. Whereas in New Jersey and Massachusetts, they would average $85,031 and $82,249, respectively. While database administrators would only make an average of $81,653 in Connecticut, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Washington
$89,149
Avg. Salary
2. Massachusetts
$82,249
Avg. Salary
3. New Hampshire
$79,516
Avg. Salary
How Do Database Administrator Rate Their Jobs?
Top Database Administrator Employers
We've made finding a great employer to work for easy by doing the hard work for you. We looked into employers that employ database administrators and discovered their number of database administrator opportunities and average salary. Through our research, we concluded that Tata Consultancy Services was the best, especially with an average salary of $73,364. Wipro follows up with an average salary of $76,215, and then comes Tech Mahindra with an average of $77,963. In addition, we know most people would rather work from home. So instead of having to change careers, we identified the best employers for remote work as a database administrator. The employers include Allscripts, Vista Outdoor, and Vista Equity Partners
Database Administrator Videos
