Learn what a database administrator certification is, why it is essential for professional career growth, and some top DBA certification options to consider.
Database administrators (DBAs) are always in demand in today’s data-driven society. As an IT professional, you can position yourself to stand out in your field by earning one or more of the many DBA certifications available. Discover the benefits of DBA certification, common certifications you can pursue, and typical jobs and salary information for database administrators.
A database administrator (DBA) is the person responsible for managing a database environment. The DBA keeps the database organized and ensures it runs efficiently. Using a database management system, the DBA ensures all related applications have the data to function effectively. With so much of today's digital environment dependent on databases, this is important in many business IT environments.
Database administration includes overseeing essential data such as payroll and employee information, customer information, compliance resources, sales, and more. The DBA must be attentive to detail, able to prioritize, and skilled in data security, management, and optimization.
Depending on the route you take to gain an education and experience, the time it takes you to become a DBA will vary. In most cases, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree, gain relevant experience, and round out your resume with DBA certifications. If you already hold a related degree or have some experience working with databases, it may take you less time to become a DBA.
Certification programs demonstrate that you possess specific skills, knowledge, and experience using data. You typically gain certification by meeting particular prerequisites and passing an exam. Many different DBA certifications are available. If you’re considering a database role, studying a particular database in-depth for skills certification can be helpful. You can prove your knowledge of structured query language (SQL) and other types of databases and better understand the many types of data, such as structured, semi-structured, unstructured, and polymorphic.
Read more: SQL Developer Salary Guide
A DBA certification can help administrators keep up with the latest in database design and theory. You can also expand your general operating system knowledge. A DBA certification is a testament to your DBA skills and can help you be more attractive to employers. With the certification, you may have greater success in your DBA career. Typically, certificates also help administrators earn more.
You can become proficient in many databases and seek certification for each type. As a DBA, you can pursue certification from the manufacturer of a particular database or go the vendor-agnostic route.
Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM are the big players in database certification. Database administrators can benefit from testing their skills in one or more certifications.
This proprietary certification teaches the DBA operational aspects of cloud and hybrid platform solutions built by Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services. The required certification exam tests your ability to plan and implement data platform resources, implement a secure environment, perform administration using T-SQL, and more. Microsoft suggests those seeking this certification first familiarize themselves with Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals.
New Oracle database certifications are based on the company’s various server releases. It can be a good idea for a DBA to earn certification for more than one release. After all, different clients will be using different Oracle releases. The certification involves preparation for a 150-minute exam from Oracle. You can also find Oracle database certifications at the associate and master levels.
This certification tests DBA skills on the Db2 product on the z/0S operating system. Qualifying individuals can perform database design and implementation, operation and recovery, security and auditing, and more. To prepare for the 90-minute exam from IBM, you might take the assessment exam or sample test and use the manufacturer’s study guide.
Many companies use the HANA system to manage relational databases and provide high performance and efficiency. You can pursue an associate, specialist, or Professional Certificate to help an organization make the most of its SAP HANA systems.
Founded in 1973, the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) has created industry standards for decades. Today, the non-profit offers several certifications to support high standards among DBAs. The different certifications related to data administration also come at several levels, from foundational to expert.
The primary certification from the ICCP, the CDP, evaluates your competency and currency on fundamental IT concepts. A certification that has been around for decades, originally known as the Certified Data Processor, the CDP is an independent validation of relevant information security skills.
A Big Data Professional certificate from SAS reflects the move to more extensive, more complex data-processing tools. This certification considers the challenges of capturing data, storage, analysis, search, sharing, transfer, and more. The administrator learns about data volume, variety, velocity, veracity, and value.
This ICCP certification focuses on managing data availability, usability, and integrity. It also covers data security and establishing effective processes. The goal is to help the DBA enable high-quality data management throughout the life cycle.
A CST certification demonstrates your ability to service hardware and systems software. This ETA Information Technology certification can be a good starting point for an entry-level database administrator and technician.
You can pursue a variety of roles associated with database administration. In 2023, the median pay for database administrators and architects was $117,450 per year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1]. The BLS also predicts the job rate will grow by 9 percent by 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Glassdoor provides the following annual base salary information in the US for DBA roles:
SQL database administrator: $99,065 [2]
Senior database administrator: $125,895 [3]
Database administrator: $105,526 [4]
Database developer: $106,105 [5]
Database engineer: $120,721 [6]
Database consultant: $119,041 [7]
Data warehousing specialist: $119,727 [8]
Database technician: $58,634 [9]
Gaining DBA certification is a great way to learn new skills and demonstrate your database administrator knowledge and experience to potential employers. You can get hands-on experience with commonly used database services by starting an online Guided Project like the Understanding Basic SQL Syntax. In around 90 minutes, you'll learn to write basic SQL syntax when writing SQL retrieval queries. Or, expand your skill set with the University of Boulder's online program, Databases for Data Scientists Specialization. The beginner-friendly courses in this program can be completed in just two months, awarding you with a shareable certificate for your resume upon completion.
You can get DBA skills from work experience, but typically you will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a field such as computer science. Certification isn’t essential, but it can help.
DBAs are responsible for critical business information. The resilience and reliability of a database can mean success or failure for an organization. So, the job can be a stressful and difficult one. If you’re up for being a database administrator, meeting the DBA certification requirements should be par for the course.
You may be able to get an entry-level position with an associate degree in database administration. A certification alone may be enough, but you can typically expect employers to be looking for a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a relevant DBA certification.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Database Administrators and Architects, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
Glassdoor. "SQL Database Administrator Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/sql-database-administrator-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
Glassdoor. "Senior Database Administrator Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-database-administrator-salary-SRCH_KO0,29.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
Glassdoor. "Database Administrator Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/database-administrator-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
Glassdoor. "Database Developer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/database-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
Glassdoor. "Database Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/database-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
Glassdoor. "Database Consultant Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/database-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
Glassdoor. "Data warehousing specialist, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-warehousing-specialist-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
Glassdoor. "Database Technician Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/database-technician-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm." Accessed February 4, 2025.
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