What is a Lead Database Administrator?

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 Does a Lead Database Administrator Do

There are certain skills that many lead database administrators have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed analytical skills, communication skills and detail oriented.

Learn more about what a Lead Database Administrator does

How To Become a Lead Database Administrator

If you're interested in becoming a lead database administrator, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 64.3% of lead database administrators have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 22.2% of lead database administrators have master's degrees. Even though most lead database administrators have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

Learn More About How To Become a Lead Database Administrator
Top Lead Database Administrator Jobs Near You

Lead Database Administrator Career Paths

In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what's a career path you ask? Well, it's practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of project manager you might progress to a role such as information technology director eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title senior director of information & technology.

Lead Database Administrator

Average Salary for a Lead Database Administrator

Lead Database Administrators in America make an average salary of $114,426 per year or $55 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $148,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $88,000 per year.
Average Lead Database Administrator Salary
$114,426 Yearly
$55.01 hourly
See More Salary Information

What Am I Worth?

salary-calculator

Roles and Types of Lead Database Administrator

The role of a lead database administrator includes a wide range of responsibilities. These responsibilities can vary based on an individual's specific job, company, or industry.Here are some general lead database administrator responsibilities:

  • Predicting capacity needs iterative tuning to optimize performance monitoring system performance
  • Provide lead dba support on all aspects of databases administration including backup/recovery, replication, deployment
  • If you are working or aspiring to work in today's united states intelligence community now is the time to join caci! Our team is looking for a database administrator to fill a position in tampa macdill afb supporting the intelligence community. A successful candidate will be expected to direct the database structure that fits into the overall architecture of the system under development

There are several types of lead database administrator, including:

Administrator

Role:

As administrator, it is your job to support your team. Your goal is that the entire office runs smoothly. So you've got to do the best you can to provide whatever your team needs to be successful. If they need you to get a tattoo to improve their morale, then... We're kidding. Simply put, you'll be responsible for providing office and administrative support. What you get tattooed on your body is business. But the business you work for is counting on your team to get the job done, so you might look forward to duties such as taking phone calls, helping with visitors, creating spreadsheets, and presenting in meetings.

For the most part, you'll only need to work 40 hours each week. Although, some weeks may require a little more time from you. So, you just need to be flexible and roll with the punches. Sure, there's a lot of responsibility resting on your shoulders, but we believe in you.

  • Average Salary: $72,882
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree

Database Administrator

Role:

If you're looking for a career that's growing with more and more opportunities presented every day, becoming a database administrator is a great place to start. Bonus points are awarded if you already have a bachelor's degree in an information- or computer-related subject.

Database Administrators focus their time on using specialized software to store and organize data. Every industry that has a large database is going to hire for this position. But typically these employees can be found working for educational institutions and insurance companies.

  • Average Salary: $81,960
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree

Oracle Database Administrator

Role:

Every organization has a collection of information that needs to be accessed, managed, and updated. Oracle Database Administrators (DBAs) play an important role in ensuring that this data is easy to access, secure, and well managed. Oracle Database is a multi-model database management system and is one of the most flexible and cost-effective ways to manage information and applications. Oracle DBAs manage all aspects of an Oracle database, including installation, configuration, design, and data migration.

As an Oracle DBA, some of the specific tasks you may be asked to do are evaluating existing or proposed systems to ensure structure and access to the database, designing and implementing modifications to forms, menus, and reports, and maintain technical documentation related to the database management. You will likely also be expected to install and maintain database software, create storage structures, and set up user accounts. Additional duties include performance monitoring, security, backups, troubleshooting, and data recovery.

If you're interested in becoming an Oracle DBA, you should consider earning a Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. You should also consider earning your Oracle Certification (OCP).

  • Average Salary: $88,410
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree
View More

States With The Most Lead Database Administrator Jobs

Mouse over a state to see the number of active lead database administrator jobs in each state. The darker areas on the map show where lead database administrators earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Average Salary: Job Openings:

Number Of Lead Database Administrator Jobs By State

RankStateNumber of JobsAverage Salary
1California2,898$143,604
2Pennsylvania2,357$108,764
3Ohio1,968$109,118
4Texas1,865$116,437
5Florida1,696$102,677
6Illinois1,073$104,895
7New York1,068$119,007
8Massachusetts1,031$113,230
9Georgia880$107,673
10Utah858$115,466
11North Carolina838$108,930
12Colorado813$103,571
13Washington755$143,627
14Arizona742$123,366
15Virginia644$113,544
16New Jersey644$101,689
17Kansas581$106,232
18Michigan573$98,341
19Minnesota550$111,367
20Indiana476$98,620
21Oklahoma468$94,713
22Oregon452$124,238
23Missouri452$101,556
24Nevada439$128,505
25Arkansas430$95,146
26Maryland430$105,056
27Wisconsin422$93,308
28Alabama421$103,195
29Tennessee407$96,544
30New Hampshire398$95,363
31Idaho391$101,972
32New Mexico373$98,807
33Nebraska372$88,776
34South Carolina340$109,873
35Connecticut298$109,001
36Rhode Island286$112,641
37Iowa286$91,809
38Kentucky277$102,204
39Montana231$112,674
40Alaska211$112,807
41Louisiana204$125,165
42South Dakota179$89,879
43Mississippi145$104,597
44West Virginia115$93,817
45Maine108$100,727
46Delaware106$116,553
47Hawaii96$139,886
48North Dakota95$89,543
49Vermont88$100,708
50Wyoming58$94,946

Lead Database Administrator Education

Lead Database Administrator Majors

Computer Science
30.2 %
Business
9.7 %
Electrical Engineering
7.4 %

Lead Database Administrator Degrees

Bachelors

64.3 %

Masters

22.2 %

Associate

7.6 %

Top Colleges for Lead Database Administrators

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

6. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-State Tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

9. Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,453

Enrollment

4,312

10. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

Top Skills For a Lead Database Administrator

The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 5.5% of lead database administrators listed dba on their resume, but soft skills such as analytical skills and communication skills are important as well.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Lead Database Administrator Resume templates

Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Lead Database Administrator templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Lead Database Administrator resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.

Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume
Lead Database Administrator Resume

Lead Database Administrator diversity

Lead Database Administrator Gender Distribution

Male
Male
80%
Female
Female
20%

After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

  • Among lead database administrators, 19.7% of them are women, while 80.3% are men.

  • The most common race/ethnicity among lead database administrators is White, which makes up 52.4% of all lead database administrators.

  • The most common foreign language among lead database administrators is Spanish at 11.1%.

Online Courses For Lead Database Administrator That You May Like

Advertising Disclosure  

1. Relational Database Administration (DBA)

coursera

Ongoing and proactive management is critical to the security and performance of database management systems. Database administration is the function of managing the operational aspects of database systems and maintaining them. Database administrators work to ensure that applications make the most efficient use of databases and that physical resources are used adequately and efficiently. In this course, you will discover some of the activities, techniques, and best practices for managing a...

2. Oracle Database 12c Backup and Recovery using RMAN

udemy
4.6
(347)

Master using RMAN in performing backup and recovery activities on Oracle Databases. No course covers the same topics!...

3. SQL Server High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR)

udemy
4.3
(1,003)

Dive deep into how SQL Server works to implement an effective high availability and disaster recovery solution...

Show More Online Courses For Lead Database Administrator
Job type you want
Full Time
Part Time
Internship
Temporary

Best States For a Lead Database Administrator

Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a lead database administrator. The best states for people in this position are Washington, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. Lead database administrators make the most in Washington with an average salary of $143,627. Whereas in California and Hawaii, they would average $143,604 and $139,886, respectively. While lead database administrators would only make an average of $128,505 in Nevada, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.

1. Nevada

Total Lead Database Administrator Jobs: 439
Highest 10% Earn:
$172,000
Location Quotient:
1.93

$128,505

Avg. Salary

View 439 Lead Database Administrator Jobs In NV

2. Washington

Total Lead Database Administrator Jobs: 755
Highest 10% Earn:
$189,000
Location Quotient:
0.95

$143,627

Avg. Salary

View 755 Lead Database Administrator Jobs In WA

3. Utah

Total Lead Database Administrator Jobs: 858
Highest 10% Earn:
$152,000
Location Quotient:
2.47

$115,466

Avg. Salary

View 858 Lead Database Administrator Jobs In UT
Full List Of Best States For Lead Database Administrators

How Do Lead Database Administrators Rate Their Jobs?

Working as a Lead Database Administrator? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Top Lead Database Administrator Employers

Most Common Employers For Lead Database Administrator

RankCompanyAverage SalaryHourly RateJob Openings
1JPMorgan Chase & Co.$130,430$62.7112
2The Home Depot$125,739$60.4511
3AT&T$124,932$60.0633
4TSYS$121,180$58.2615
5American Express$120,835$58.0915
6ADP$118,319$56.8810
7The Motley Fool$117,739$56.6124
8Hewlett Packard Enterprise$115,499$55.5315
9Sabre$114,523$55.0611
10Salesforce$110,392$53.0763
Show More

Lead Database Administrator Videos

Life of a DBA

Lead Database Administrator Related Careers

Lead Database Administrator Related Jobs

What Similar Roles Do

Resume For Related Jobs

Updated April 6, 2023