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What is a lead database administrator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
MARLA KRAMER
introduction image

A lead database administrator, or a DBA, is an individual responsible for the control, maintenance, coordination, and operation of databases for schools, companies, or organizations. They are responsible for the design, configuration, migration, security, troubleshooting, backup, and recovery of various databases that contain important information for an organization. A lead database administrator is knowledgeable of database programming languages and platforms, supervises database staff, communicates with upper management, vendors, and clients, and is responsible for the smooth operation and functionality of computer databases.

Most lead database administrators have a bachelor's or a master's degree in computer science, database administration, IT, or a related field. They should also have excellent problem-solving, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills and possess a broad knowledge of computer networks and database security.

If you have a knack for computers and are thinking of a leadership role in IT, a career as a lead database administrator can be a great choice. Most lead database administrators can make up to $111,000 annually, and the job market is predicted to grow 9% by 2028.

What general advice would you give to a Lead Database Administrator?

MARLA KRAMER

Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Do the necessary course work from a reputed institution, where you can get the necessary hands-on experience under the tutelage of an established expert. Create a portfolio of your work on GitHub so that you can share your projects with potential employees. It is more important to demonstrate your skills through code, than it is to provide a list of classes that you have taken. Certification courses are expensive, but getting an accredited certificate in Mobile Application Development or any of the rapidly growing fields is always an advantage. The internet has a lot of uncurated, self-published, and incorrect information, especially when it comes to computer science. It is important that you pick your sources wisely as you build your skills.
ScoreLead Database AdministratorUS Average
Salary
8.0

Avg. Salary $114,426

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
4.4

Growth Rate 9%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.54%

Asian 27.25%

Black or African American 6.49%

Hispanic or Latino 8.28%

Unknown 5.08%

White 52.36%

Gender

female 19.72%

male 80.28%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress Level
4.4

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
9.2

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
8.1

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Lead Database Administrator career paths

Key steps to become a lead database administrator

  1. Explore lead database administrator education requirements

    Most common lead database administrator degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.3 %

    Master's

    22.2 %

    Associate

    7.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific lead database administrator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    DBA5.54%
    PL/SQL5.35%
    Linux5.23%
    Database Administration5.13%
    Microsoft SQL Server4.33%
  3. Complete relevant lead database administrator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lead database administrators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lead database administrator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lead database administrator resumes.
  4. Research lead database administrator duties and responsibilities

    • Perform DB2 DPF configuration, installation, tuning and maintenance to manage additional database capacity requirements.
    • Manage development of data migration to include SSIS packages incorporating legacy data and data structures into the enterprise data repository.
    • Lead multiple infrastructure planning and implementation including instance strategy, technical platform selection, architecture design, backup and recovery strategy.
    • Coordinate DBA activities on server build team to ensure timely delivery of database servers build according to customer requirements.
  5. Get lead database administrator experience

    Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a lead database administrator. The most common roles before becoming a lead database administrator include database administrator, senior database administrator team lead and oracle database administrator.
  6. Prepare your lead database administrator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead database administrator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lead database administrator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Lead Database Administrator Resume templates

    Build a professional Lead Database Administrator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Lead Database Administrator resume.
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    Lead Database Administrator Resume
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    Lead Database Administrator Resume
    Lead Database Administrator Resume
    Lead Database Administrator Resume
    Lead Database Administrator Resume
  7. Apply for lead database administrator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a lead database administrator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Lead Database Administrator Job

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Average lead database administrator salary

The average Lead Database Administrator salary in the United States is $114,426 per year or $55 per hour. Lead database administrator salaries range between $88,000 and $148,000 per year.

Average Lead Database Administrator Salary
$114,426 Yearly
$55.01 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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