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Database administrator vs database architect

The differences between database administrators and database architects 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 database architect. Additionally, a database architect has an average salary of $93,654, 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 database architect are cloud, infrastructure, and java.

Database administrator vs database architect overview

Database AdministratorDatabase Architect
Yearly salary$81,960$93,654
Hourly rate$39.40$45.03
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs56,99290,743
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does a database administrator do?

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.

What does a database architect do?

A database architect is an individual who helps organizations or corporations increase and expand into various marketplaces. Database architects establish a vision in order to meet their strategic goals. The architects manage electronic databases for data storage and organization. They should be familiar with various software, such as application server software. The skills necessary for this job include data modeling, knowledge in programming languages, and data management.

Database administrator vs database architect salary

Database administrators and database architects have different pay scales, as shown below.

Database AdministratorDatabase Architect
Average salary$81,960$93,654
Salary rangeBetween $60,000 And $111,000Between $69,000 And $126,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonRhode Island
Best paying companyThe CitadelChewy
Best paying industryHealth CareFinance

Differences between database administrator and database architect education

There are a few differences between a database administrator and a database architect in terms of educational background:

Database AdministratorDatabase Architect
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Database administrator vs database architect demographics

Here are the differences between database administrators' and database architects' demographics:

Database AdministratorDatabase Architect
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 61.4% Female, 38.6%Male, 82.7% Female, 17.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 24.7% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between database administrator and database architect duties and responsibilities

Database administrator example responsibilities.

  • Deploy and manage VMware horizon view on CISCO UCS for VDI deployemet.
  • Create and manage database security, data encryption, and apply object level security.
  • Resolve ASM errors, which lead to complete dysfunction of the ASM due to capacity issues.
  • Fix grid control alerts on the database and monitor the database using grid control including managing of templates.
  • Create and manage DTS and SSIS jobs to perform extra back up support for company's back up agent and procedure.
  • Lead multiple infrastructure planning and implementation including instance strategy, technical platform selection, architecture design, backup and recovery strategy.
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Database architect example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage SSRS projects for financial and informational reporting, along with accompanying store procedures.
  • Tune many custom SQL queries and PL/SQL code for complicate business processes to achieve sub-second response time.
  • Work with all technical leads in the organization to understand the existing system and work on the new ETL extract.
  • Create PHP page for loan officers to add to their contact list for leads which interact with the MySQL database.
  • Migrate data from RDBMS to Hadoop infrastructure using Sqoop.
  • Create and edit SSIS packages for movement of data to reporting servers and ETL of client files from other systems.
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Database administrator vs database architect skills

Common database administrator skills
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Linux, 5%
  • Microsoft SQL Server, 5%
  • DBA, 4%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%
  • Database Administration, 4%
Common database architect skills
  • Cloud, 9%
  • Infrastructure, 8%
  • Java, 7%
  • Database Design, 5%
  • Database Administration, 4%
  • ETL, 4%

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