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Database developer vs data scientist

The differences between database developers and data scientists 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 developer and a data scientist. Additionally, a data scientist has an average salary of $106,104, which is higher than the $90,837 average annual salary of a database developer.

The top three skills for a database developer include ETL, C++ and java. The most important skills for a data scientist are python, data science, and visualization.

Database developer vs data scientist overview

Database DeveloperData Scientist
Yearly salary$90,837$106,104
Hourly rate$43.67$51.01
Growth rate21%16%
Number of jobs91,069106,973
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age3941
Years of experience44

What does a database developer do?

A database developer specializes in designing and creating storage programs according to a client's needs. Their responsibilities revolve around meeting with clients to discuss their preferences and requirements, coordinating with other teams, identifying errors or inconsistencies by conducting regular maintenance tests, and monitoring its performance to ensure smooth workflow. A database developer may also respond to inquiries and concerns, provide corrective measures, produce instructional materials for the database users, and develop strategies to keep the data safe and secure.

What does a data scientist do?

A Data Scientist analyzes information from multiple sources in order to gain maximum insight that can give the company a competitive advantage. They work in different domains, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and finance.

Database developer vs data scientist salary

Database developers and data scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Database DeveloperData Scientist
Average salary$90,837$106,104
Salary rangeBetween $69,000 And $118,000Between $75,000 And $148,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WARichmond, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelThe Citadel
Best paying industryFinanceStart-up

Differences between database developer and data scientist education

There are a few differences between a database developer and a data scientist in terms of educational background:

Database DeveloperData Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyColumbia University in the City of New York

Database developer vs data scientist demographics

Here are the differences between database developers' and data scientists' demographics:

Database DeveloperData Scientist
Average age3941
Gender ratioMale, 73.0% Female, 27.0%Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% Asian, 18.8% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between database developer and data scientist duties and responsibilities

Database developer example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate with DBA in creating and managing tables, indexes, db links and privileges.
  • Create shell scripts in UNIX to automate the data loading process and to cleanse the flat file inputs.
  • Design, develop and manage DB2 database scripts for building and migrating the database for banking software customers.
  • Authore CICS/DB2 applications and DB2 store procedures (COBOL) for (IPA) rebates to manage health care groups.
  • Implement and automate existing manual process, to create CRF by creating new database objects in SQL and macro in excel.
  • Develop an ASP.Net application to input and manage a production schedule, production statistical analysis and trend reporting.
  • Show more

Data scientist example responsibilities.

  • Update, maintain, and manage regional CRM database and records for customers, vendors, and suppliers.
  • Configure and manage JobScope ERP system for a make-to-order/make-to-stock design and manufacturing environment.
  • Lead the analysis in SAS for data integration of mortality data using meta-analysis integration methods.
  • Implement a proximal stochastic gradient descent with a line search to fit a regularize logistic regression in Scala
  • Perform cross-validation-test on linear regression model of data using scikit-learn.
  • Develop python base statistical visualization to provide insights of fuzzy social media data.
  • Show more

Database developer vs data scientist skills

Common database developer skills
  • ETL, 8%
  • C++, 5%
  • Java, 5%
  • Microsoft SQL Server, 5%
  • Database Development, 4%
  • PL/SQL, 4%
Common data scientist skills
  • Python, 13%
  • Data Science, 10%
  • Visualization, 5%
  • Java, 4%
  • Hadoop, 4%
  • Tableau, 3%

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