Database administrator

Database administrators create and maintain databases for companies and organisations, to make sure that the data stored is secure, organised, and accessible to those who need it. You'll be responsible for the security of sensitive or personal information such as client records and will support your organisation by troubleshooting issues and updating systems.

Database administrators are important to any business or organisation as you ensure that foundational systems are in place and maintained, keeping essential business information safe.

Types of database administrator

If you work for a small organisation, or one that is particularly technical, you might be hired as a general database administrator, covering a range of duties. However, it's also possible to specialise as a particular type of database administrator:

• System database administrator: looking after the installation and configuration and up-keep of a database system.
• Application database administrator: working on databases that support applications and ensuring full synchronisation.
• Task orientated database administrator: specialising in a specific part of database administration such as back-up and recovery, or security.

Responsibilities

As a database administrator, you'll need to:

• establish the needs of clients and users
• create and monitor user accounts, access and permissions
• plan and map the design and database structure
• test and modify structure at both front and back-end
• work closely with IT project managers, database programmers and multimedia programmers
• ensure effective security, back-up and recovery systems are in place
• monitor performance and efficiency, including optimisation via updates and patches
• install software and functions to improve security and prevent unauthorised access
• carry out capacity planning
• commission and install new applications
• merge old databases to create new, more effective database management systems (DBS)
• troubleshoot and diagnose errors and problems
• update, transfer data and provide back-up copies
• write database documentation, including data standards, procedures and definitions for the data dictionary (metadata), including adherence to the Data Protection Act
• communicate regularly with technical, applications and operational staff to ensure database integrity and security
• issue reports on system errors and inconsistencies

Salary

• Starting salaries for graduate database administrators are around £28,000 a year.
• With some experience, in a junior position, you could earn between £35,000 to £45,000.
• With substantial experience, working in a senior position you could earn up to around £62,000.

It's also possible to work as a contractor, charging up to £550 a day, depending on your experience.

The range of salaries depends on the industry and location. Rates tend to be higher in the financial services and banking, investment and insurance sectors, and in London and the South East.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are usually 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, and may include regular unsocial hours.

You might be required to work overnight and on weekends (during periods of low usage) when maintenance and development work needs to be undertaken. You may also have to be on call at times, responding if a critical problem occurs.

What to expect

• The working environment is usually informal and it's possible for work to be carried out from home or from other remote locations. There's an increasing trend towards working from home.
• You'll find that the work can be demanding as organisations depend on effective databases, and there can be significant pressure to ensure that they operate smoothly, particularly if accessed online.
• Travel and absence from home overnight may occasionally be required.
• There are options to become self-employed as well as working for a company.
• Women are currently underrepresented in the IT profession. For information and jobs for women who want to work in technology take a look at Women in Technology.

Qualifications

You can enter this career with a degree in any subject, but the following may be particularly useful:

• computer science
• information systems
• computer systems
• software engineering
• information science
• information technology
• mathematics

Entry without a degree or HND is possible for those with good all-round IT skills.

Relevant HND subject areas include computer studies, software engineering or information technology. Physical, mathematical and applied science is also useful.

You can also become a data administrator by taking an apprenticeship.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification isn't essential but is likely to improve your prospects if your first degree is in a non-computing subject. You might consider a Masters in database administration.

Skills

You will need to show:

• attention to detail
• excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• good communication,
• teamwork and collaboration
• maths knowledge
• decision making skills and excellent judgement
• the ability to work to tight deadlines under pressure
• good organisational skills
• flexibility and adaptability
• business awareness and understanding of business requirements of IT
• familiarity with the main data manipulation languages and the principles of database design
• a willingness to keep up to date with developments in new technology
• an understanding of information legislation, such as the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Work experience

Most database administrator jobs require some sort of experience in the IT industry. Look out for sandwich degrees that include a work placement. These offer invaluable hands-on experience and can sometimes lead to employment after graduation.

It's a good idea to gain some experience in programming and to familiarise yourself with as many database technologies and operating systems as possible.

Most positions require an understanding of database management systems (DBMS) and the programming language SQL (Structured Query Language). Being familiar with popular DBMS platforms, such as Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server and Unix is helpful. On the job training is often provided.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

IT companies employ database administrators to run their own systems and to work on client projects. However, opportunities can arise within any organisation that uses computerised databases, including organisations in the public, private and third sectors.

Opportunities exist in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Even relatively small companies hold a great deal of information on their members, clients and suppliers, and this data is crucial if they are to compete with others in the sector. Businesses use the information held on their databases to target new customers and launch new products and services.

The role is highly specialised and vacancy numbers have been steadily increasing in recent years. Direct entry to graduate roles is likely to be with larger organisations, particularly those in the finance, IT and management sectors.

Look for job vacancies at:

• CWJobs
• efinancial careers
• JobServe
• IT Jobs Watch

Contracting is an option for experienced database administrators, and most job sites also deal with contract roles. Search niche sites like Contractor UK for leads as well.

Professional development

Most of your training will be provided on the job. It will largely consist of technical training on the systems used by your employer and in any relevant software developments. In-house training will be supplemented by short, internal or external courses, as appropriate.

If you work at a smaller company you may be required to use technical manuals and web-based programmes for self-study. Larger companies may offer mentoring schemes and individually-tailored training plans.

Taking additional courses can help you progress professionally, and most employers will expect experienced staff to have completed a database certification programme, such as:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate
• Oracle Database Certification
• SAP Certified Associate - Database Administrator.

It's vital to keep your technical skills up to date and taking a professional qualification can help with this. A range of relevant qualifications are available through The Chartered Institute for IT (BCS).

You'll need to keep up with trends and developmentssuch as increases in security risk and how to respond. For example, the constant threat and reality of cyberattack means it's essential to ensure databases are as secure as possible.

A big development affecting database administration is the rise of AI (artificial intelligence). It is important to understand how AI technology is being used to carry out database tasks and to assist in the analysis of data. AI can enhance security, predict the need for maintenance, and automate processes. Knowing how to use it to support you in your job role is essential to stay current.

Career prospects

Your career prospects will depend on the type of organisation you work for. Larger organisations may offer structured career paths to the level of lead or senior database administrator, with increasing management and technical responsibility.

You could move into other areas, such as:

• systems development
• project management
• network management
• database architecture.

Working towards a management position is a natural step and you could eventually end up working in a more strategic position, running a team or whole department if you gain the right experience and undertake any necessary and relevant qualifications.

You may also decide to specialise in a particular area such as cloud computing, or performance engineering.

Alternatively, you could choose to work as a freelance consultant or contractor, capitalising on your specialist technical knowledge. As a contractor, the projects you work on might include the design and development of a smaller database or working as part of a large-scale project in conjunction with specialist IT firms and consultants. This does require substantial experience, but you may find the financial benefits and freedom to take time off between contracts attractive.