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The differences between database administrators and data engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a database administrator and a data engineer. Additionally, a data engineer has an average salary of $109,675, which is higher than the $81,960 average annual salary of a database administrator.
The top three skills for a database administrator include customer service, linux and microsoft sql server. The most important skills for a data engineer are python, java, and cloud.
| Database Administrator | Data Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $81,960 | $109,675 |
| Hourly rate | $39.40 | $52.73 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 56,992 | 303,105 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Database administrators use specially designed software to keep, organize, restore, and secure data for businesses, employees, and customers from unauthorized people or unwanted users. They search for potential security risks or issues and proactively correct or find appropriate solutions. They are highly trained tech experts who work full-time for establishments that give computer design services or in industries that have huge databases, such as educational academies, institutions, and insurance firms. It is their responsibility to closely monitor the database system to ensure efficiency and functionality. They work jointly with information systems managers to customize database solutions based on corporate needs. They also coordinate the systems that data analysts use for translating numbers into strategic business plans.
A data engineer is someone who makes data science possible. This IT job requires the search for data set trends and algorithm development to make raw data more beneficial to the enterprise. Data engineers are responsible for establishing and maintaining an environment that permits other data functions. The necessary skills for the job include in-depth knowledge of multiple programming languages and SQL database design. Among the other skills data engineers should develop include data warehousing and architecture, data mining and modeling, and statistical regression analysis.
Database administrators and data engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Administrator | Data Engineer | |
| Average salary | $81,960 | $109,675 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $111,000 | Between $80,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a database administrator and a data engineer in terms of educational background:
| Database Administrator | Data Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between database administrators' and data engineers' demographics:
| Database Administrator | Data Engineer | |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% | Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 17.7% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 30.1% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |