What does an sql database administrator do?
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.
Sql database administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real sql database administrator resumes:
- Create PHP page for loan officers to add to their contact list for leads which interact with the MySQL database.
- Manage replication issues during DDL changes over data in Production\development servers.
- Lead multiple infrastructure planning and implementation including instance strategy, technical platform selection, architecture design, backup and recovery strategy.
- Convert DTS packages used to perform import of customer account and financial data into corporate databases to SSIS packages.
- Provide tuning of reports and ETL for high performance and interface with report developers on cube reports with SSRS and MDX.
- Involve designing data model using star schema.
- Used PHP and JavaScript to develop various web application modules for the library.
- Direct and mentor onshore Sr. DBA and DBA consultants and offshore DBA members.
- Perform on premise to Microsoft azure (IaaS) migration for the business critical applications.
- Engineer an ASP.NET C #and AJAX application for profiling and trending computer system information.
- Move Tempdb to separate disk allowing the faster creation of indexing on some of the larger tables.
- Collaborate with the system administrators on AIX to complete performance tuning on the DB2 databases and system.
- Perform all aspect of database administration, including backup, recovery, and replication for SQL server 2012/2008 R2.
- Used the DMV's to find the missing indexes on the tables for most appropriate used and missing indexes.
- Check consistency, fragmentation, torn page detection in databases using DBCC commands and DMV's at regular intervals.
Sql database administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of SQL Database Administrators are proficient in Microsoft SQL Server, Windows Server, and SSRS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of SQL Database Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Microsoft SQL Server, 10%
Developed an online administration system using and Microsoft SQL Server for maintaining web database of live interactive game transactions using Java.
- Windows Server, 5%
Implement targeted scheduled health-check reporting from Windows Server-level to provide additional monitoring of SQL Server availability.
- SSRS, 5%
Created SQL Server Reports using SSRS 2008 and exported them to Excel format for managers and QA team for easy validation.
- T-SQL, 4%
Created custom T-SQL stored procedures and triggers to improve performance, preserve referential integrity and provide additional application functionality.
- Database Backup, 4%
Developed Oracle Database Backups & Recovery Strategies and created High Availability processes using Windows Clustering and Database Replication Technologies and FTP.
- Disaster Recovery, 4%
Created, tested and maintained extensive documentation to facilitate data backups and restores to achieve a SQL Server disaster recovery strategy.
Common skills that an sql database administrator uses to do their job include "microsoft sql server," "windows server," and "ssrs." You can find details on the most important sql database administrator responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an sql database administrator to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what sql database administrators do because "dbas must monitor a database system’s performance to determine when action is needed." Additionally, an sql database administrator resume shows how sql database administrators use analytical skills: "administrated sql server database, deployed database applications, conducted database performance turning, database backup, and database recovery. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling sql database administrator duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "most database administrators work on teams and need to communicate effectively with developers, managers, and other workers." According to an sql database administrator resume, here's how sql database administrators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "frequent troubleshooting of operations and productions issues on database servers, sometimes entailing liaison communications with software and systems vendors. "
Detail oriented. sql database administrators are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to sql database administrator responsibilities, because "working with databases requires an understanding of complex systems, in which a minor error can cause major problems." An sql database administrator resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "performed detailed analysis of database performance using sql profiler. "
Problem-solving skills. sql database administrator responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "when database problems arise, administrators must troubleshoot and correct the problems." This resume example shows what sql database administrators do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "resolved database performance issues, database capacity issues, replication, and other production related distributed data issues. "
The three companies that hire the most sql database administrators are:
- Uline18 sql database administrators jobs
- Federal Reserve Bank10 sql database administrators jobs
- CorVel7 sql database administrators jobs
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Compare different sql database administrators
Sql 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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, sql database administrator responsibilities require skills like "database backup," "disaster recovery," "dba," and "production servers." Meanwhile a typical tableau developer has skills in areas such as "tableau dashboards," "visualization," "tableau server," and "tableau desktop." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Tableau developers earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $101,413. On the other hand, sql database administrators are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $105,963.The education levels that tableau developers earn slightly differ from sql database administrators. In particular, tableau developers are 3.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an sql database administrator. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sql database administrator vs. Etl developer
An ETL developer is responsible for managing data storage systems to secure the organization's data and files for daily operations efficiency. ETL developers perform multiple system testing to ensure the system's accuracy, perform coding adjustments, and troubleshoot for any defects and inconsistencies. They work closely with other development teams to design storage functions to optimize solutions. An ETL developer must have extensive knowledge of the technology industry and a strong command of programming languages to develop an accurate and operational database.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, sql database administrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "microsoft sql server," "windows server," "database backup," and "disaster recovery." Meanwhile, an etl developer has duties that require skills in areas such as "sql server," "unix," "data analysis," and "bi." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Etl developers earn a higher average salary than sql database administrators. But etl developers earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $102,797. Additionally, sql database administrators earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $105,963 annually.In general, etl developers achieve similar levels of education than sql database administrators. They're 0.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for sql 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.
Sql 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, an sql database administrator is likely to be skilled in "database backup," "disaster recovery," "dba," and "powershell," while a typical sql server developer is skilled in "sql server analysis," "column," "schema," and "data flow."
Sql server developers earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $95,274. Sql database administrators earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $105,963.When it comes to education, sql server developers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to sql database administrators. In fact, they're 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Sql 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.
Types of sql database administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
