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The differences between senior database administrators and database specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior database administrator and a database specialist. Additionally, a senior database administrator has an average salary of $114,969, which is higher than the $77,642 average annual salary of a database specialist.
The top three skills for a senior database administrator include linux, DBA and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a database specialist are database management, database design, and database administration.
| Senior Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $114,969 | $77,642 |
| Hourly rate | $55.27 | $37.33 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 56,932 | 41,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior database administrator is in charge of maintaining and managing a database, ensuring its efficiency and security. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring the performance of databases, identifying any problems or inconsistencies, performing corrective measures, and devising security measures to keep data safe from any cyber-attacks. They are also responsible for responding to any inquiries or concerns, resolving them promptly. Furthermore, as a senior in the field, it is essential to lead and encourage the junior administrators, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Senior database administrators and database specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Average salary | $114,969 | $77,642 |
| Salary range | Between $88,000 And $149,000 | Between $53,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Credit Karma | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a senior database administrator and a database specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior database administrators' and database specialists' demographics:
| Senior Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.6% Female, 19.4% | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 25.3% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |