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The differences between database engineers 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 engineer and a senior database administrator. Additionally, a senior database administrator has an average salary of $114,969, which is higher than the $104,648 average annual salary of a database engineer.
The top three skills for a database engineer include python, troubleshoot and java. The most important skills for a senior database administrator are linux, DBA, and troubleshoot.
| Database Engineer | Senior Database Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $104,648 | $114,969 |
| Hourly rate | $50.31 | $55.27 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 152,951 | 56,932 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A database engineer is responsible for maintaining the security of an organization's network databases, preventing unauthorized access and activities, and upgrading data infrastructure. Database engineers manage the volume of stored data, ensuring that the information would not affect the traffic flow and navigation. They also design database according to business requirements and needs, conducting multiple quality checks before releasing the final outputs for high functionality. A database engineer must have excellent technical skills, as well as extensive knowledge of programming languages and database administration, to create efficient system networks.
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 engineers and senior database administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Engineer | Senior Database Administrator | |
| Average salary | $104,648 | $114,969 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $150,000 | Between $88,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Credit Karma |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a database engineer and a senior database administrator in terms of educational background:
| Database Engineer | Senior Database Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between database engineers' and senior database administrators' demographics:
| Database Engineer | Senior Database Administrator | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 80.6% Female, 19.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 22.8% White, 55.2% 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 Percentage | 6% | 6% |