Database administrator vs senior administrator

The differences between database administrators and senior administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a database administrator, becoming a senior administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior administrator has an average salary of $103,102, 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 senior administrator are customer service, SR, and troubleshoot.

Database administrator vs senior administrator overview

	Database Administrator	Senior Administrator
Yearly salary	$81,960	$103,102
Hourly rate	$39.40	$49.57
Growth rate	9%	5%
Number of jobs	56,992	58,887
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	46	43
Years of experience	4	2

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 senior administrator do?

A senior administrator is responsible for managing the overall administrative duties in an organization, including coordinating with higher management to identify process and operations improvement and other business opportunities to grow revenues and increase profitability. Senior administrators monitor and delegate tasks to the administrative staff, resolve discrepancies on record-keeping, respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, ensure the adequacy of inventory, and train new staff. They also inspect and update the database regularly for business information and customer details, as well as handling complaints or directing them to the appropriate personnel and department.

Database administrator vs senior administrator salary

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

	Database Administrator	Senior Administrator
Average salary	$81,960	$103,102
Salary range	Between $60,000 And $111,000	Between $73,000 And $145,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	The Citadel	The Walt Disney Company
Best paying industry	Health Care	-

Differences between database administrator and senior administrator education

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

	Database Administrator	Senior Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Database administrator vs senior administrator demographics

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

	Database Administrator	Senior Administrator
Average age	46	43
Gender ratio	Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6%	Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
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, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 10.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	6%	9%

Differences between database administrator and senior administrator 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.

Senior administrator example responsibilities.

Organize and manage all meeting logistics for various conferences and events across the U.S.
Lead and/or participate in adding departments to the DMS, client/server upgrades, DR testing, and end user testing.
Have configured the SharePoint environment and continuously managing both intranet and internet sites used by end users, consumers and stakeholders.
Manage calendar and arrange travel; coordinate meetings and events; create PowerPoint presentations; prepare correspondence and approve expense reports.
Provide remote user support via Citrix remote desktop and Cisco VPN.
Create, maintain and provide issue resolution of complex Linux and Unix scripts.

Database administrator vs senior administrator skills

Common database administrator skills

Customer Service, 5%
Linux, 5%
Microsoft SQL Server, 5%
DBA, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%
Database Administration, 4%

Common senior administrator skills

Customer Service, 10%
SR, 10%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Linux, 5%
Data Entry, 4%
HR, 3%

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Database Administrator vs Senior Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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