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The differences between database specialists and database developers 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 developer. Additionally, a database developer has an average salary of $90,837, 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 developer are ETL, C++, and java.
| Database Specialist | Database Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $77,642 | $90,837 |
| Hourly rate | $37.33 | $43.67 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 41,500 | 91,069 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| 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 developer specializes in designing and creating storage programs according to a client's needs. Their responsibilities revolve around meeting with clients to discuss their preferences and requirements, coordinating with other teams, identifying errors or inconsistencies by conducting regular maintenance tests, and monitoring its performance to ensure smooth workflow. A database developer may also respond to inquiries and concerns, provide corrective measures, produce instructional materials for the database users, and develop strategies to keep the data safe and secure.
Database specialists and database developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Specialist | Database Developer | |
| Average salary | $77,642 | $90,837 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $111,000 | Between $69,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a database specialist and a database developer in terms of educational background:
| Database Specialist | Database Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between database specialists' and database developers' demographics:
| Database Specialist | Database Developer | |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |