How To Become An SQL Developer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an sql developer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Ahmed Temani

Whether you are running a small start-up or maintaining a bigger business, expect to deal with a massive business information database, which is used for storing and recording details about customers. Since it holds such crucial information to compete with others in the market, a business' database needs to be safeguarded from any sort of loss, theft, or unauthorized access.

SQL developers are the people that help large and small businesses manage their databases while ensuring the security and safety of the systems. Areas involved in SQL development, like system integration, security set-up, and testing, require strong technical knowledge. Attaining a Bachelor's degree or higher in a field related to computer science or information technology (IT) is needed to excel in the profession.

Information security is a matter of top concern for businesses, creating a market need for SQL developers who are paid quite well for their services. SQL developers have an average starting salary of $84,000, with the potential to earn up to $106,000 annually.

What general advice would you give to an sql developer?

Ahmed Temani

Senior Instructor, University of Richmond

A lot of the buzz is about using chatbots to improve coding efficiency. However, there is a great need for systems level thinking and design as software is deployed across cloud and edge computing devices. Gaining more experience in systems design provides you with additional skills that complement whatever AI-based technology gets deployed.

ScoreSQL DeveloperUS Average

Salary

6.9

Avg. Salary $88,505

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.0

Growth rate 21%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 30.64%

Black or African American 4.53%

Hispanic or Latino 8.29%

Unknown 4.83%

White 51.54%

Gender

female 30.25%

male 69.75%

Age - 38

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38

Stress level

4.0

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an sql developer

Explore sql developer education requirements

Most common sql developer degrees

Bachelor's

72.4 %

Master's

20.6 %

Associate

3.8 %

Start to develop specific sql developer skills

Skills	Percentages
Database Objects	7.58%
T-SQL	6.81%
SSRS	6.77%
ETL	5.96%
SQL Server Analysis	5.00%

Complete relevant sql developer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New sql developers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an sql developer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real sql developer resumes.

Research sql developer duties and responsibilities

Manage migration of SQL 2005 databases to SQL 2008 R2.
Work with dynamic T-SQL queries, DDL, DML statements for creating objects, making updates and managing user permissions.
Coordinate with DBA in creating and managing table, indexes, table spaces, triggers, db links and privileges.
Used subversion tools, SVN version management to manage various versions of the procedures and functions for of the application.

Prepare your sql developer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your sql developer resume.

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