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The differences between sql 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 an sql database administrator and a database specialist. Additionally, an sql database administrator has an average salary of $89,648, which is higher than the $77,642 average annual salary of a database specialist.
The top three skills for an sql database administrator include microsoft sql server, windows server and SSRS. The most important skills for a database specialist are database management, database design, and database administration.
| SQL Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $89,648 | $77,642 |
| Hourly rate | $43.10 | $37.33 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 57,645 | 41,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
SQL database administrators (DBAs) are professionals who are using specialized software for data storage and organization. Among the duties of DBAs are capacity planning, database design, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, configuration, and installation. They are responsible for security, data recovery, and migration. The skills they should have include problem solving, interpersonal and communication skills, attention details, and good organizational skills. Get SQL experience through certification, integrate SQL into your regular workday, volunteer, or become a documentation guru.
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.
Sql database administrators and database specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| SQL Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Average salary | $89,648 | $77,642 |
| Salary range | Between $68,000 And $116,000 | Between $53,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between an sql database administrator and a database specialist in terms of educational background:
| SQL Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between sql database administrators' and database specialists' demographics:
| SQL Database Administrator | Database Specialist | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 27.9% White, 52.5% 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% |