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The differences between database administrators and database specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a database administrator has an average salary of $81,960, which is higher than the $77,642 average annual salary of a database specialist.
The top three skills for a database administrator include customer service, linux and microsoft sql server. The most important skills for a database specialist are database management, database design, and database administration.
| Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $81,960 | $77,642 |
| Hourly rate | $39.40 | $37.33 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 56,992 | 41,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 specialist is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the databases to maintain the confidentiality of data. Database specialists determine business requirements and manage multiple operating systems to build the database's efficient structures and feasibility. They also install security protection software tools and programs to prevent unauthorized access and potential leak of restricted information. A database specialist coordinates with the system engineers to improve existing databases and upgrade the network infrastructure for optimization.
Database administrators and database specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Average salary | $81,960 | $77,642 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $111,000 | Between $53,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Finance |
There are a few differences between a database administrator and a database specialist in terms of educational background:
| Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between database administrators' and database specialists' demographics:
| Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% |
| 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, 7.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 17.8% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |