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The differences between database administrators and database 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 database engineer. Additionally, a database engineer has an average salary of $104,648, 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 engineer are python, troubleshoot, and java.
| Database Administrator | Database Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $81,960 | $104,648 |
| Hourly rate | $39.40 | $50.31 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 56,992 | 152,951 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| 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 database engineer is responsible for maintaining the security of an organization's network databases, preventing unauthorized access and activities, and upgrading data infrastructure. Database engineers manage the volume of stored data, ensuring that the information would not affect the traffic flow and navigation. They also design database according to business requirements and needs, conducting multiple quality checks before releasing the final outputs for high functionality. A database engineer must have excellent technical skills, as well as extensive knowledge of programming languages and database administration, to create efficient system networks.
Database administrators and database engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Administrator | Database Engineer | |
| Average salary | $81,960 | $104,648 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $111,000 | Between $72,000 And $150,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Airbnb |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a database administrator and a database engineer in terms of educational background:
| Database Administrator | Database Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between database administrators' and database engineers' demographics:
| Database Administrator | Database Engineer | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% |
| 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, 7.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 22.8% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |