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Database administrator
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£18,000 + per year
Database administrators (commonly referred to as DBAs) plan and build computer systems. They also make sure they are secure and working properly.
To be able to do this job you should have an excellent understanding of computer systems. You will need a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. You will also need strong problem-solving and organisational skills.
For most administrator jobs, you would need to know how to use database management systems. Employers often look for previous experience in computing such as IT support, programming or web development.
WorkDesc
The work
As a DBA you could work on a variety of databases, from banks' customer account networks to hospital patient record systems. Your tasks could range from upgrading an existing database to creating a completely new system.
On a new system, you would work with an organisation to:
- establish what the database is for, who will use it and what other systems it will link to (for example telephony)
- plan the structure of the database, working out how to organise, find and display the data
- build a test version and check the results to iron out any technical problems (bugs)
- fill (populate) the database with new information or transfer existing data into it
- plan how to update information, create back-up copies and report errors
- put in security measures.
You may have extra duties, like supervising technical support staff, training users and producing performance reports for IT managers.
Increasingly, you could be working with web-based technologies and would need to understand how databases fit in with these systems. Database security is another area of growing importance.
In a senior position you would normally be responsible for strategic planning, information policy, budgets and managing client relationships.
You would work on projects with other IT professionals, such as analysts, programmers and IT project managers.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, you may have on-call duties to deal with technical problems outside of normal office hours.
You could work at one site if you are employed by a company to manage their databases. If you work for a company that builds databases for other organisations, you would travel to meet clients. Some contracts may involve overnight stays away from home.
IncomeDesc
Income
Starting salaries are between £18,000 and £22,000 a year.
Experienced staff can earn between £23,000 and £35,000 a year, and senior DBAs can earn over £45,000 a year.
Rates for short and medium-term contract jobs may be significantly higher than those listed above, particularly at senior levels.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
For most database administrator jobs, you would need to know how to use structured query language (SQL) and database management systems (DBMS), which include:
- DBMS (relational database management systems)
- OODBMS (object-oriented database management systems)
- XML database management systems.
Employers often look for previous experience in computing such as IT support, programming or web development.
You could study for a qualification such as a BTEC HNC/HND or degree, then join a company’s graduate training scheme straight from college or university. Relevant subjects include:
- computer science
- information science
- software engineering
- mathematics.
If you do not have an IT-related degree, you may still be able to get a place on a graduate training scheme, as larger employers tend to accept graduates from any discipline. You could study for a postgraduate IT conversion qualification, although this is not essential.
See the websites for e-skills UK, BCS – the Chartered Institute for IT, and Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS) for more information about careers in the IT sector.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You would do most of your training in the workplace. You may improve your career prospects by taking professional development awards with industry bodies, such as:
- e-skills UK Professional Programme (for graduates in the early years of their IT career)
- BCS Certificate, Diploma and Professional Graduate Diploma (options in database systems)
- IMIS programmes, including database development.
Software development companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, Sybase and IBM also offer database certification programmes. Examples include:
- Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
- Oracle PL/SQL Developer, and 9i, 10g or 11g Administrator
- Sybase Adaptive Enterprise Server (Developer and Administrator pathways)
- IBM DB2 and Informix certification.
You can find more information about professional development options on the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) website.
The National Skills Academy for IT
The National Skills Academy for IT promotes excellence in IT learning and development. Through the Academy you can gain:
- access to high quality IT training and resources, including over 1000 online courses
- information and access to new training to meet growing needs
- professional recognition to speed up your career progress.
See the website for details.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a database administrator, you should have:
- an excellent understanding of database systems
- a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- strong problem-solving and organisation skills
- the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- business and budget awareness
- excellent communication, presentation and negotiating skills
- an understanding of data protection issues
- a willingness to keep up to date with developments in technology
- good teamworking skills.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Oracle 
www.oracle.com
Microsoft UK
www.microsoft.com/uk
Sybase UK
www.sybase.co.uk
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
www.sfia.org.uk
e-skills UK
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
020 7963 8920
www.e-skills.com
BCS – the Chartered Institute for IT
Block D
North Star House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1FA
www.bcs.org.uk
Institute for the Management of Information Systems
5 Kingfisher House
New Mill Road
Orpington
Kent
BR5 3QG
Tel: 0700 002 3456
www.imis.org.uk
IBM UK
www.ibm.com/uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You could find work with any organisation that makes use of computerised information systems. These range from educational bodies, hospitals and financial institutions to retailers and online companies. You could also find work with specialist IT companies on a sub-contract basis.
With experience, you could move into IT project management or to other areas of computing, such as systems analysis, web development or network management.
You could also consider self-employment, freelance work or consultancy.
You may find the following useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The IT industry includes people in IT companies, such as those offering IT services, technology‐orientated consulting, technology development, systems analysis, programming, systems testing and technology sales. It also includes IT professionals working in other sectors, such as people whose primary job role is IT orientated, which includes IT departments and IT support staff in companies. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by e‐skills UK Sector Skills Council.
A sector trend is the convergence of telecommunications, computing and networking and the move from hardware intensive to software intensive platforms. Embedded voice communications capability is already part of the internet, which also has to manage voice, data and video and location information.
The social, economic and market forces shaping UK IT skills are evolving as technology continues to progress from the back office to the board room. This is changing the market for IT skills, creating demand for both technology‐oriented business people and business‐oriented technologists – and blurring the lines between traditional business and IT disciplines.
Key facts:
- There is a total IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million of which:
- 890,000 people are in IT and Telecoms products and services
- 600,000 IT and Telecoms professionals are working in organisations outside of the IT and Telecoms industries
- There are around 105,000 businesses in the UK offering IT and Telecoms products and services.
- IT‐intensive sectors represent 55% of the UK's total Gross Value Added.
- Less than 1% of those employed in IT and Telecoms occupations are under 18.
- 22% of companies who are trying to recruit IT and Telecoms professionals report difficulties in attracting applicants with the right skills.
- 58% of the workforce has a degree or higher education qualification.
- The IT industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 2.5% per year for the next ten years.
- There are 100,930 IT manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 600,000 people.
- The IT workforce accounts for 4% of the UK workforce.
Jobs in the IT industry include: Business analyst; Games developer; CAD/CAM Programmer/Trainer; IT trainer; Service technician; Software engineer/architect; Technology consultant; Web designer; Systems architect; Technical author.
National and regional data
Across the UK, there is an estimated IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million who are predominately located in London and the South East. The IT workforce can be classified in IT manufacturing and IT services. The largest number of companies is located in:
- IT manufacturing
- South East
- London
- East of England
- IT services
- South East
- London
- East of England
Key regional facts:
- 39% of IT and Telecoms professionals are located in London and the South East
- the East of England has the third highest number of IT and Telecoms employees
- Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East combined comprise just 6% of the IT and Telecoms professionals
- 44% of all types of IT and Telecoms companies are located in London and the South East
- the highest median gross weekly earnings for IT and Telecoms staff are in London, the South East and the East of England, which are all above the UK median
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (April‐June), 2009.]
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