What is a database engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.,

Christian Hansen Ph.D.

A database engineer designs, implements, and maintains complex databases. They work with software developers and data analysts to organize and secure data. A database engineer also troubleshoots technical issues that arise and optimizes database performance. They must have a strong understanding of database management systems and programming languages such as SQL and Python. Additionally, a database engineer must have excellent problem-solving and communication skills to collaborate with team members across various departments.

What general advice would you give to a database engineer?

Dr. Ariful Azad Ph.D.

Director of Graduate Studies for the Dept. of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Assistant Professor of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington

Look for a job that you would enjoy doing, even if it takes some time to find such a position. Internships are great to explore various options.

ScoreDatabase EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $104,648

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.4

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.54%

Asian 22.83%

Black or African American 7.43%

Hispanic or Latino 8.85%

Unknown 5.15%

White 55.20%

Gender

female 21.30%

male 78.70%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

4.4

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a database engineer?

Pros

High demand for database engineers in various industries
Opportunity for career growth and higher salaries
Remote work opportunities and flexible schedules
High job satisfaction from solving complex problems
Potential for building valuable relationships with clients and colleagues

Cons

Risk of errors or data breaches that can have serious consequences
Need for precise attention to detail, as even small mistakes can cause major issues
Dealing with difficult clients or users who may not fully understand the technical aspects of the job
Managing large amounts of data can be overwhelming, leading to stress and anxiety
Lack of variety in the work, as many tasks can be repetitive

Key steps to become a database engineer

Explore database engineer education requirements

Most common database engineer degrees

Bachelor's

69.7 %

Master's

18.9 %

Associate

7.1 %

Start to develop specific database engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Python	10.33%
Troubleshoot	6.08%
Java	6.06%
AWS	4.35%
Database Administration	3.70%

Complete relevant database engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New database engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a database engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real database engineer resumes.

Research database engineer duties and responsibilities

Create PHP page for loan officers to add to their contact list for leads which interact with the MySQL database.
Develop Perl and awk scripts to validate the various data on LINUX base system.
Develop procedures; UNIX shell, SQL, and Perl scripts; and software programs for database processing.
Trace AutoTrader Latino inventory process through the ETL and refresh to identify, troubleshoot, and correct code problems.

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