Databases are everywhere, which is why database administrators are a highly demanded profession. In this article we are going to talk about what their functions are, what studies they need and we will also see their salary. We will also see the profile demanded in these jobs and the knowledge that is usually required to be able to choose with guarantees.
Studies to be a database administrator
The first question that comes to mind may be what to study to be a database administrator. The truth is that it is a profession in which different topics are touched on and it is also important to have continuous training to be up-to-date.
Within the different careers we can highlight computer engineering and its different branches (systems, management, software, services and applications…), telecommunications engineering, software engineering, degree in information technology or even studies in advanced mathematics , since it is a job in which a lot of data is analyzed.
There are specialized training cycles in databases, as well as programming, computer systems or network administrator. All these will also allow you to acquire knowledge that will be essential in this type of work and that you can complement later.
Beyond studying a career or a cycle that allows you to have a solid foundation to be a database administrator, you can also specialize through courses. In addition, computer security is very important in this type of job, since you will have to manage a large amount of data and information that must always be protected.
what are the functions
But what functions exactly does a database administrator have? It will have very diverse functions , since they are used in a wide variety of sectors, systems, applications… Therefore, it will have to manage data, be aware of correcting problems, create databases, install, configure and monitor, etc.
Install and manage the database
One of the clear functions of a database administrator is to install them. It basically consists of installing all the components and everything necessary on a server or computer to be able to use that database. For example, in a company that needs to store information on available products and sales, a web page with online orders, a forum, etc.
It is also your role to manage that database once you have installed it. Even configure it according to the client’s demand, since in each case this may be different, depending on where it has been installed and the parameters that can be modified.
Give technical support
Another function of the database administrator is to provide technical support . This means being available for any problem that may arise, knowing how to provide the appropriate solution so that everything works correctly. For example, if there is a failure to store data, an application that does not respond well, etc.
Sometimes needs may arise from the company. They could need to solve some problem , some doubt about the operation of the database, improvements that need to be implemented or any other similar circumstance.
Monitor safety and performance
Security is a very important factor for databases. It is essential that they are protected and that an attacker cannot detect vulnerabilities to gain access to the content. This requires constant supervision, monitoring of this database and any components installed on it.
This also includes supervising the smooth running . It’s important to catch any bugs that appear, security or otherwise, and fix them before they actually affect your day-to-day use of the database. It is basically knowing how to anticipate any eventuality that may occur.
Set up and install apps
A database can contain different applications to manage it, to access the data or carry out different tasks. For this we can install additional tools and that is another of the tasks of the administrators. They can be adapted to what a company requests, for example, for certain tasks.
Beyond installing the programs, they may also need to configure them. This is also a task for database administrators and may vary depending on the type of application.
Recover on failure
A database can have problems at any given time. An error that makes the data inaccessible or even lost, a cyber attack that compromises the information, a bad installation… In all these cases it is essential to recover the data so that it is available again.
Therefore, performing backups and backups is a task for database administrators. This will ensure that there is always a copy available so that it can be dumped as soon as possible once an error is detected that prevents users from accessing the data normally.
Profile and knowledge
As with any specific job, such as database administrator, it is essential to have a specific profile that allows you to carry out the main tasks. We are going to explain what companies demand and what should be, in general terms, a good profile .
The required profile is that of a person with experience in data management and storage, in Big Data technologies, data export and import platforms, having organizational and analytical capacity, as well as knowing how to manage resources and projects. Knowledge of programming, in languages such as Python, is also often required.
Within what we have indicated, organizational capacity is one of the most important factors. You need to establish different parameters to be able to collect information, organize it correctly, establish protocols for data recovery if necessary, and know how to manage possible moments of stress in this way.
Regarding the necessary knowledge , it is important to know the SQL language, have the ability to use Oracle, Microsoft Access, MySQL and any other that the company may use. To this we can add knowledge about Unix, Linux and Windows servers, as well as general software management, networks, data recovery and security.
Salary
The salary of a database administrator will depend on the specific job position, previous experience and assigned tasks. However, we can take into account an approximate average to get an idea. As we can see on the Glassdoor website, which specializes in salaries, the salary fluctuates between €20,000 and €53,000 per year. However, the average is €38,351 .
If we do a search in employment portals in Spain, we see that the salaries offered coincide with what we mentioned. We found database administrator positions with salaries around €34,000-36,000. Some offer something more and others something less, depending on the specific position.
