Database Administrator
Keep mission-critical databases fast, backed up and secure - the unglamorous role that everything depends on.
This UK database administrator career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £32,000 - £45,000
- Mid-career salary
- £50,000 - £75,000
- Senior salary
- £85,000 - £120,000
- Work environment
- Office or remote, desk-based
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Helpful, not always required
- Category
- AI, Data and Automation
What a Database Administrator does
Keep mission-critical databases fast, backed up and secure - the unglamorous role that everything depends on.
- SQL Server DBA - Manage Microsoft SQL Server estates.
- Postgres DBA - Manage Postgres clusters in cloud and on-prem.
- Cloud Database Engineer - Manage RDS, Aurora, Cloud SQL and BigQuery.
- Performance Tuning - Specialise in query and index optimisation.
How to become a Database Administrator
- Look up Database Administrator roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Database Administrator - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- SQL Server / Postgres / Oracle
- Backup & recovery
- Performance tuning
- Scripting
- Security