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Database architect vs senior database administrator

The differences between database architects and senior database administrators 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 architect and a senior database administrator. Additionally, a senior database administrator has an average salary of $114,969, which is higher than the $93,654 average annual salary of a database architect.

The top three skills for a database architect include cloud, infrastructure and java. The most important skills for a senior database administrator are linux, DBA, and troubleshoot.

Database architect vs senior database administrator overview

Database ArchitectSenior Database Administrator
Yearly salary$93,654$114,969
Hourly rate$45.03$55.27
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs90,74356,932
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

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.

What does a senior database administrator do?

A senior database administrator is in charge of maintaining and managing a database, ensuring its efficiency and security. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring the performance of databases, identifying any problems or inconsistencies, performing corrective measures, and devising security measures to keep data safe from any cyber-attacks. They are also responsible for responding to any inquiries or concerns, resolving them promptly. Furthermore, as a senior in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage the junior administrators, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Database architect vs senior database administrator salary

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

Database ArchitectSenior Database Administrator
Average salary$93,654$114,969
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $126,000Between $88,000 And $149,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyChewyCredit Karma
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between database architect and senior database administrator education

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

Database ArchitectSenior Database Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Database architect vs senior database administrator demographics

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

Database ArchitectSenior Database Administrator
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 82.7% Female, 17.3%Male, 80.6% Female, 19.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 25.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between database architect and senior database administrator duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Senior database administrator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and monitor disk space, database space, CPU, memory and cache, user connections.
  • Conduct Linux administration activities and manage test databases.
  • Lead multiple infrastructure planning and implementation including instance strategy, technical platform selection, architecture design, backup and recovery strategy.
  • Install and configure databases on windows and Unix servers.
  • Install, design production databases in RHEL 6.0 and applying CPU patches.
  • Promote to lead a team of Dba s with responsibilities to hire and mentor junior db professionals.
  • Show more

Database architect vs senior database administrator skills

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

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