Technology
How to become a Database Administrator
Keeps a company's databases running, backed up and fast, and is the one paged when a restore is needed. From IT support or developer: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.
- Time to get there
- 2–4 years
- Typical pay
- $88k–$118k
- Starting from
- IT support or developer
Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from IT support or developer and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.
Commonly asked for
- Bachelor's degree in computer science commonly asked for
- 2+ years in IT support or software development first
- Deep SQL and one database engine (SQL Server, PostgreSQL or Oracle) expected
The route
Get deep in SQL
Beyond querying: indexes, execution plans, normalisation.
Course that covers thisMaster SQL - Core Database Skills Practice ExamUdemy · around $19.99Typical titles at this level
- IT Support Specialist
- Software Developer
- Systems Administrator
Learn one engine properly
SQL Server, PostgreSQL or Oracle. Backup, recovery and replication.
Practise disaster recovery
The whole job is judged on the day a restore is needed.
Add cloud database services
RDS and Azure SQL are where most new databases now live.
Course that covers thisAWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamsUdemy · around $19.99- Browse jobs now
Destination
Database Administrator
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