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The differences between database specialists and database administration managers 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 specialist and a database administration manager. Additionally, a database administration manager has an average salary of $127,904, which is higher than the $77,642 average annual salary of a database specialist.
The top three skills for a database specialist include database management, database design and database administration. The most important skills for a database administration manager are database administration, infrastructure, and DBA.
| Database Specialist | Database Administration Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $77,642 | $127,904 |
| Hourly rate | $37.33 | $61.49 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 41,500 | 15,629 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A database administration manager is primarily in charge of overseeing an organization's database operations and maintenance, ensuring they function efficiently according to company standards. As a database administration manager, they are responsible for developing strategies to optimize processes and functions, setting priorities and guidelines, managing budgets and timelines, supervising staff, and solving issues when any arise. They also participate in creating data protection and recovery plans, installing security software, establishing protocols, and conducting regular assessments. Moreover, they empower staff to reach goals and implement company policies and regulations.
Database specialists and database administration managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Specialist | Database Administration Manager | |
| Average salary | $77,642 | $127,904 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $111,000 | Between $92,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a database specialist and a database administration manager in terms of educational background:
| Database Specialist | Database Administration Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between database specialists' and database administration managers' demographics:
| Database Specialist | Database Administration Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% | Male, 69.6% Female, 30.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 17.6% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |