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The differences between database analysts 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 analyst and a database specialist. Additionally, a database analyst has an average salary of $85,660, which is higher than the $77,642 average annual salary of a database specialist.
The top three skills for a database analyst include database management, database design and data analysis. The most important skills for a database specialist are database management, database design, and database administration.
| Database Analyst | Database Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $85,660 | $77,642 |
| Hourly rate | $41.18 | $37.33 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 77,072 | 41,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A database analyst is primarily responsible for devising strategies on how to handle a company's collection of data and information. Typically, they are in charge of designing and implementing databases, evaluating existing ones, and providing recommendations for improvement. They are also responsible for testing, populating, and maintaining databases, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Furthermore, as a database analyst, it is essential to adhere to the company's policies and regulations, all while coordinating with other administrators to make sure that all processes align with the company's goals.
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 analysts and database specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Analyst | Database Specialist | |
| Average salary | $85,660 | $77,642 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $116,000 | Between $53,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a database analyst and a database specialist in terms of educational background:
| Database Analyst | Database Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between database analysts' and database specialists' demographics:
| Database Analyst | Database Specialist | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7% | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 19.3% White, 57.3% 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% |