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The differences between database managers and database specialists 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 manager and a database specialist. Additionally, a database manager has an average salary of $99,621, which is higher than the $77,642 average annual salary of a database specialist.
The top three skills for a database manager include data management, data entry and sql server. The most important skills for a database specialist are database management, database design, and database administration.
| Database Manager | Database Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $99,621 | $77,642 |
| Hourly rate | $47.89 | $37.33 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 11,126 | 41,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A database developer/database administrator specializes in designing and developing database programs and systems, maintaining and updating them regularly. They are in charge of understanding project needs and guidelines, establishing and implementing test systems to identify potential risks and issues, fixing and upgrading components, and storing data according to protocols. They may also produce and present reports to managers and participate in creating security and recovery plans to protect company data. Moreover, as a database developer/database administrator, it is vital to be proactive at dealing with issues while adhering to company standards.
A database specialist is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the databases to maintain the confidentiality of data. Database specialists determine business requirements and manage multiple operating systems to build the database's efficient structures and feasibility. They also install security protection software tools and programs to prevent unauthorized access and potential leak of restricted information. A database specialist coordinates with the system engineers to improve existing databases and upgrade the network infrastructure for optimization.
Database managers and database specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Manager | Database Specialist | |
| Average salary | $99,621 | $77,642 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $153,000 | Between $53,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between a database manager and a database specialist in terms of educational background:
| Database Manager | Database Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between database managers' and database specialists' demographics:
| Database Manager | Database Specialist | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.3% Female, 43.7% | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 17.7% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 17.8% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |