How to Become a Database Administrator

Overview & Salaries

Recommended Degree:
The right degree for you depends on the industry and company you apply for. Those looking for an entry positions need bachelors degree in computer information systems, information technology, or database administration. If you are looking to get into a competitive or advance position, then a masters’s degree along with  earning specific certification degrees like the MCDBA from microsoft can help you stand out in the hiring process.

Begin your career path today by signing up for free information from one of our accredited colleges below that offer programs to help get you started in database administration.

How Much Does a Database Administrator Make?
$77,080 (national median salary, to view salaries in your state click on the “Best Places to Work” tab up top)

Expected Growth from 2012-2020:
+17,900 additional people employed

Specialization Options:
Data entry, data security, information architecture, and management

(all information above provided by the 2012 BLS database administration page) 

The Best Places to Become a Database Administrator

Across the United States IT salaries can vary greatly depending on the industry you work. Here are a few sectors to consider when looking for work:

Computer systems design and related services $82,820
Finance and insurance $81,640
Federal, state, and local government $69,320
Health care and social assistance $65,380
Educational services $62,580

Employment and Salary Information by State for Database Administrators

Use our interactive map below to find out which areas of the United States are currently experiencing the greatest amount of growth and job availability for graduates looking for a career in Database Administration. The associated information has been gathered from the Bureau of Labor statistics, representing data collected in 2012.

Employment and Information Data for Database Administrator

Why Become a Database Administrator?

The demand for tech-savvy professionals extends across most business sectors, however the need for database administrators is expected to grow 31% from now until 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The role of database administrator continues to grow in importance for organizations as real-time cyber security threats from around the globe increase. While the primarily role of the DBA is to organize and present data for decisions makers to easily access and understand, the need for information security measures is also something that database administrators should be aware of.

Recommended Courses to Help You Become a Database Administrator

  • Project Planning and Documentation
  • Professional Communication
  • Computer Applications and Business Systems Concepts
  • Operating Systems Fundamentals
  • Logic and Troubleshooting
  • PHP/MySQL Administration
  • Database Security
  • SQL Server Administration
  • Relational Databases
  • Fundamentals of Programming
  • Introduction to Visual Basic

Degree Options to Help You Become a Database Administrator

Certificate
A certificate in database administration is designed to provide career professionals advanced training and learning for qualification exams.

Bachelor’s Degree
The most common approach to landing a job as a database administrator is undertaking a bachelor’s program in management information systems or a computer-related field.

Master’s Degree
While many organizations hire database administrators without master’s degree requirements, larger companies with complex systems typically want applicants with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in information systems.