Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between database specialists and senior information technology specialists 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 senior information technology specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior information technology specialist has an average salary of $103,478, 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 senior information technology specialist are customer service, database, and technical support.
| Database Specialist | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $77,642 | $103,478 |
| Hourly rate | $37.33 | $49.75 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 41,500 | 111,996 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| 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 senior information technology specialist is responsible for handling technology systems and network issues, ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of the database by configuration and improving network infrastructures. Senior information technology specialists also design computer systems and applications to support business functions and operations, depending on the requirements and budget limitations. They create resolution reports for reference and recommend strategic techniques to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and malfunctions. A senior information technology specialist must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in responding to the end-users' inquiries and concerns about the servers.
Database specialists and senior information technology specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Database Specialist | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average salary | $77,642 | $103,478 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $111,000 | Between $78,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Energy |
There are a few differences between a database specialist and a senior information technology specialist in terms of educational background:
| Database Specialist | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between database specialists' and senior information technology specialists' demographics:
| Database Specialist | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| 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, 12.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 14.1% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 11% |