Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between systems analysts and database administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a systems analyst, becoming a database administrator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a database administrator has an average salary of $81,960, which is higher than the $75,383 average annual salary of a systems analyst.
The top three skills for a systems analyst include customer service, project management and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a database administrator are customer service, linux, and microsoft sql server.
| Systems Analyst | Database Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $75,383 | $81,960 |
| Hourly rate | $36.24 | $39.40 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 141,289 | 56,992 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A systems analyst is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of technology systems and analyzing its efficiency for business operations and clients' needs. Systems analysts create specific modifications to operating systems and help design solutions and processes. Other tasks include managing the system's workflow, diagnosing and detecting malfunctions, performing troubleshooting, and assisting clients' with their concerns. A systems analyst must have excellent command with programming languages and the knowledge with the technology industry to understand systems' complexities and processes.
Database administrators use specially designed software to keep, organize, restore, and secure data for businesses, employees, and customers from unauthorized people or unwanted users. They search for potential security risks or issues and proactively correct or find appropriate solutions. They are highly trained tech experts who work full-time for establishments that give computer design services or in industries that have huge databases, such as educational academies, institutions, and insurance firms. It is their responsibility to closely monitor the database system to ensure efficiency and functionality. They work jointly with information systems managers to customize database solutions based on corporate needs. They also coordinate the systems that data analysts use for translating numbers into strategic business plans.
Systems analysts and database administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Analyst | Database Administrator | |
| Average salary | $75,383 | $81,960 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $96,000 | Between $60,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a systems analyst and a database administrator in terms of educational background:
| Systems Analyst | Database Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between systems analysts' and database administrators' demographics:
| Systems Analyst | Database Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 61.4% Female, 38.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 14.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 17.7% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |