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The differences between database consultants and 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 consultant and a database administrator. Additionally, a database consultant has an average salary of $99,871, which is higher than the $81,960 average annual salary of a database administrator.
The top three skills for a database consultant include oracle sql, DB and data warehouse. The most important skills for a database administrator are customer service, linux, and microsoft sql server.
| Database Consultant | Database Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $99,871 | $81,960 |
| Hourly rate | $48.01 | $39.40 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 35,251 | 56,992 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A database consultant is an information technology professional who specializes in database development and management. Part of their job is to establish and implement databases according to the company's needs, provide technical and analytical support, perform research and analyses, evaluate databases and systems to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and suggest solutions to optimize operations. Moreover, as a database consultant, it is essential to produce progress reports along with recommendations to improve database maintenance and resolve any potential issues or risks.
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.
Database consultants and database administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Consultant | Database Administrator | |
| Average salary | $99,871 | $81,960 |
| Salary range | Between $69,000 And $143,000 | Between $60,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Slalom | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a database consultant and a database administrator in terms of educational background:
| Database Consultant | Database Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between database consultants' and database administrators' demographics:
| Database Consultant | Database Administrator | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.9% Female, 28.1% | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 20.0% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |