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The differences between database specialists and network administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a database specialist, becoming a network administrator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a database specialist has an average salary of $77,642, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.
The top three skills for a database specialist include database management, database design and database administration. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.
| Database Specialist | Network Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $77,642 | $71,357 |
| Hourly rate | $37.33 | $34.31 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 41,500 | 106,886 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 46 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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 network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.
Database specialists and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Specialist | Network Administrator | |
| Average salary | $77,642 | $71,357 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $111,000 | Between $56,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a database specialist and a network administrator in terms of educational background:
| Database Specialist | Network Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between database specialists' and network administrators' demographics:
| Database Specialist | Network Administrator | |
| Average age | 46 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| 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, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |