What does a senior database administrator do?
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.
Senior database administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior database administrator resumes:
- Manage and monitor disk space, database space, CPU, memory and cache, user connections.
- Conduct Linux administration activities and manage test databases.
- Lead multiple infrastructure planning and implementation including instance strategy, technical platform selection, architecture design, backup and recovery strategy.
- Install and configure databases on windows and Unix servers.
- Install, design production databases in RHEL 6.0 and applying CPU patches.
- Promote to lead a team of Dba s with responsibilities to hire and mentor junior db professionals.
- Work with complex ETL architecture that is fully dynamic to integrate all clients into AWS cloud server.
- Compose and implement SunSupport model for DBA team ensuring effective maintenance of database servers across regions.
- Implement encryption for important data using GnuPG software.
- Apply patches and CPU regularly to keep the databases in current version.
- Create monthly tally module dB objects such as tables and views using ERWIN.
- Work include extensive VBA coding, SQL, form design and report design.
- Create stored procedures, functions and triggers to validate the data into the database.
- Install RAC on RHEL 5.8 11GR2 and involve in migration of databases to RAC environment.
- Enhance customer target marketing capabilities by utilizing data warehousing techniques, including mining, ROLAP and OLAP.
Senior database administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 5% of Senior Database Administrators are proficient in Linux, DBA, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Senior Database Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Linux, 5%
Managed installation and configuration of all modules of Oracle Collaboration Suite on Red Hat Linux including Windows advanced server.
- DBA, 5%
Composed and implemented SunSupport model for DBA team ensuring effective maintenance of database servers across regions.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Designed and developed central repository to capture monitoring information from Database, Applications and Operating System to troubleshoot the system failure.
- Database Administration, 4%
Audited the quality and availability of subject areas and provided database administration services to the ETL development and MicroStrategy reporting teams.
- Microsoft SQL Server, 4%
Provide expert guidance on Database/Business Intelligence solutions using Microsoft SQL Server technologies.
- Disaster Recovery, 4%
Documented critical business processes, created a disaster recovery plans, provided database and applications support; administrator for SharePoint environment.
Common skills that a senior database administrator uses to do their job include "linux," "dba," and "troubleshoot." You can find details on the most important senior database administrator responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior database administrator to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "dbas must monitor a database system’s performance to determine when action is needed." Senior database administrators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed tuning analysis on databases, implemented appropriate index configurations, and altered query code to improve database performance for applications. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform senior database administrator duties is communication skills. Senior database administrators responsibilities require that "most database administrators work on teams and need to communicate effectively with developers, managers, and other workers." Senior database administrators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "coordinated communication with all project teams, sponsors and support staff on all rdbms services. "
Detail oriented. senior database administrators are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior database administrator responsibilities, because "working with databases requires an understanding of complex systems, in which a minor error can cause major problems." A senior database administrator resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "performed object oriented analysis and design for the associated java application. "
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what senior database administrators do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to senior database administrator responsibilities because "when database problems arise, administrators must troubleshoot and correct the problems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical senior database administrator tasks: "resolved database performance issues by using dynamic management views to identify a cause. "
The three companies that hire the most senior database administrators are:
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Compare different senior database administrators
Senior database administrator vs. Tableau developer
A tableau developer is responsible for creating data visualization solutions to enhance business processes. You will perform varied duties and responsibilities that may include preparing Tableau dashboard reports, creating business intelligence reports, and working closely with developers. Other tasks that you will likely perform are creating tools to effectively store data within the organization, conducting unit tests and developing database queries, and developing technical documentation. As a tableau developer, you will also conduct testing and troubleshooting systems and assisting non-technical staff in interpreting data.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior database administrator are more likely to require skills like "linux," "dba," "troubleshoot," and "database administration." On the other hand, a job as a tableau developer requires skills like "tableau dashboards," "visualization," "tableau server," and "tableau desktop." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Tableau developers earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $101,413. On the other hand, senior database administrators are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $120,042.On average, tableau developers reach similar levels of education than senior database administrators. Tableau developers are 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Senior database administrator vs. Sql developer
An SQL developer is responsible for designing database systems for storing and accessing business information. SQL developers incorporate a high-level of data management and technical knowledge to ensure the safety and security of the systems, preventing unauthorized access that may put the company's reputation in jeopardy. They evaluate the network infrastructure, run multiple diagnostic tests, and update the information security systems for optimal performance and efficient navigation. An SQL developer must have excellent skills in programming languages, data engineering, and software management to handle the complexities of system commands and data validation.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior database administrator resumes. While senior database administrator responsibilities can utilize skills like "linux," "troubleshoot," "database administration," and "disaster recovery," sql developers use skills like "sql server analysis," "ssis packages," "c # .net," and "javascript."
Sql developers earn a lower average salary than senior database administrators. But sql developers earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $93,938. Additionally, senior database administrators earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $120,042 annually.In general, sql developers achieve similar levels of education than senior database administrators. They're 3.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior database administrators in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Richard Huff Ph.D.
Assistant professor, assistant chair, Virginia Commonwealth University
As custodians of sensitive data, in many cases, there is a demand for a high level of trustworthiness to be earned by public officials. I would expect agencies will need to set a high bar for ethical standards and communicate them consistently. This will be particularly true for developing and using artificial intelligence (AI). While the future public servant will need a grounding in understanding, interpreting, and using data in meaningful ways, there will continue to be a critical need for ethical sensitivity and reasoning to ensure public policies and programs heed increasing demands for social equity and justice. Technology advancements are unavoidable for the foreseeable future and need to be harnessed and applied appropriately by professional, principled, and ethical public servants.
Senior database administrator vs. Sql server developer
A structured query language (SQL) server developer is a specialist who is tasked to develop and maintain systems to store, organize, and access databases. With their experience in data architect and management, SQL server developers can develop and scale SQL databases based on the needs of their organization. They conduct troubleshooting in databases which involve data validation and extensive testing to ensure that the end user's specifications are met. They are also involved in the maintenance of the organization's server.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior database administrator is likely to be skilled in "linux," "dba," "troubleshoot," and "database administration," while a typical sql server developer is skilled in "sql server analysis," "ssis packages," "sql server profiler," and "column."
Sql server developers earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $95,274. Comparatively, senior database administrators have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $120,042.sql server developers typically earn similar educational levels compared to senior database administrators. Specifically, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior database administrator vs. Senior/lead developer
A lead developer typically works for a software company. They are responsible for designing, developing, and debugging code. They lead a software team and communicate all team activities to their management. They must have creative expertise, great communication skills, and an aptitude for teamwork.
Types of senior database administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
