Database administrators work with data required and captured by organizations. In general, they are responsible for storing, organizing, analyzing, utilizing, and presenting such data through database management software or other related systems. More often than not, they are also expected to set up new databases and integrate old systems into new ones.
Other tasks that fall under the database administrator job description include troubleshooting database-related problems and maintaining existing systems for optimal performance. They also plan, develop, and implement measures and protocols along with network administrators in order to ensure the security of working databases. In some cases, a database administrator may also be expected to design database structures. However, that task is often covered by more specialized database designers or analysts.
Database Administrator Employment in the United States
In 2009, there were 108,080 database administration jobs across the country and about 15% of which were within companies offering computer systems design and related services. Another 8% were management-level positions in various companies and enterprises. Other database administrator vacancies and jobs were within colleges, universities, and professional schools (4%), insurance carriers (4%), and professional and commercial equipment supplies merchant wholesalers (4%).
The number of jobs for graduates of database administration courses or related education and training are expected to grow to 144,700 by 2018. The growth of over 25% makes job prospects and opportunities excellent across the United States, especially for those with experience and proper training.
Typical Salary for Database Administrator Jobs
In the United States, database administration degree holders and other individuals with similar training earn an average of US$74,290 per year or about US$35.72 per hour. The typical database administrator salary range is between US$53,470 and US$93,260 per year while the top-earning 10% make more than US$114,200 per year. The lowest-earning 10%, composed of individuals holding entry-level positions, earn less than US$40,780 per year.
Unknown to many, the highest-paid database administrators are actually those who work within the Rail Transportation industry. There, such workers are paid an average salary rate amounting to US$106,460 per year. Monetary authorities (mostly the Central Bank) also pay such workers high average wages amounting to US$98,630 per year.
Other high-paying types of companies for this occupation include chemical and allied products merchant wholesalers (US$89,560 per year), securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage firms (US$89,000 per year), and natural gas distribution enterprises (US$88,920 per year).
Most Ideal Cities for Database Administrator Careers
Any individual hoping to pursue a database administrator career in the United States should look into the metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs for this occupation. Among them are:
- Durham in North Carolina
- Austin and Round Rock in Texas
- Ithaca in New York
- Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Conway in Arkansas
- Washington DC
- Arlington and Alexandria in Virginia
Those who are hoping to find database administrator jobs that pay the highest average wages, though, should look into pursuing their careers in various cities in the state of California. In this state, the cities of Glendale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Redwood City, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale offer the highest database administrator salary range, averaging between US$89,650 and US$92,400.
Other cities that provide the highest salary for database administrator jobs include New York, White Plains, and Wayne in New York (averaging at US$87,600 per year) and Bloomington and Normal in Illinois (averaging at US$86,640 per year). However, the concentration of such jobs there is relatively low.
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