Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between database programmers 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 programmer and a database specialist. Additionally, a database programmer has an average salary of $78,390, which is higher than the $77,642 average annual salary of a database specialist.
The top three skills for a database programmer include PL/SQL, access database and microsoft sql server. The most important skills for a database specialist are database management, database design, and database administration.
| Database Programmer | Database Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $78,390 | $77,642 |
| Hourly rate | $37.69 | $37.33 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 18,188 | 41,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A database programmer specializes in developing and maintaining database programs, modifying them according to their clients' needs. They design and write codes for different programs, establish and implement test systems, troubleshoot problems, solve concerns or issues, and upgrade systems as necessary. They may also establish data security plans and implement protocols to protect company and client data. Moreover, a database programmer maintains an active communication line with co-workers, working together to ensure a smooth workflow and provide optimal services to clients.
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 programmers and database specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Programmer | Database Specialist | |
| Average salary | $78,390 | $77,642 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $107,000 | Between $53,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Edwards Lifesciences | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Finance |
There are a few differences between a database programmer and a database specialist in terms of educational background:
| Database Programmer | Database Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between database programmers' and database specialists' demographics:
| Database Programmer | Database Specialist | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 21.0% White, 55.8% 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% |