Database Administrator
TechnologyYou babysit the databases that every application depends on. When they're working, nobody knows you exist. When they go down at 2 AM, suddenly everyone has your phone number. You'll optimize queries that developers wrote in their first week, backup data that nobody appreciates until it's gone, and live in constant fear of someone running DELETE without a WHERE clause.
Salary Range
Low
$65k
Median
$101k
High
$148k
10-Year Growth
faster than average
US Workers
168K
Education
Bachelor's in CS or IT + database certifications (Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL)
Environment
indoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL administration
- ▸Database performance tuning and query optimization
- ▸Backup and disaster recovery planning
- ▸Replication and high availability (Always On, Galera)
- ▸Data migration and ETL processes
- ▸Database security and access control
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Analytical thinking
- ▸Attention to detail
- ▸Problem-solving
- ▸Communication with developers
- ▸Time management
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL administration
Database performance tuning and query optimization
Database security and access control
What you'll actually do
- 01Monitor database performance and pray nobody ran a full table scan during peak hours
- 02Optimize slow queries written by developers who think indexes are optional
- 03Manage backups and recovery procedures — the thing nobody cares about until everything is gone
- 04Apply security patches during maintenance windows that always land on your weekend
- 05Explain to management why 'just make it faster' isn't an actionable request
- 06Investigate why the database is using 98% of available disk space and trace it to one dev's test data
Related Shifts
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