Database Specialists

Database specialists design, install, update, modify, maintain, and repair computer database systems to meet the needs of their employers. To do this work they need strong math skills, the ability to work with many variables at once, and a solid understanding of the organization's objectives. They consult with managers to discuss computer equipment purchases, determine requirements for various software programs, and allocate access to the computer system to users. They might also direct training of personnel who regularly use company databases. Some database specialists specialize in database systems, the physical and technical aspects of a database; others focus on the software that is designed for a specific database application or a set of applications. Database specialists may also be called database designers or architects, database analysts, database managers, or database administrators in some businesses; at other businesses, these designations represent separate jobs. All of these positions, however, fall under the umbrella category of database specialist. There are approximately 141,900 database specialists working in the United States.

Salary Range

$50,000 to $100,000+

Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

Certification/License

Recommended

Outlook

Faster than the Average

Personality Traits

Problem-Solving

Scientific

Technical

Career Ladder

Database Administrator

Database Specialist

Database Analyst

Database/Software Developer

Computer Programmer