The Oracle Corporation develops tools and systems for managing databases, and also offers a professional certification program with three levels of certification (Associate, Professional, and Master). People who hold these certifications are qualified to work with Oracle database systems and tools, according to the level of certification they have obtained.

Each level of Oracle Certification provides candidates with qualifications for particular careers. Holders of the Associate level of certification, for example, are qualified to assist Database Administrators with routine tasks, while Professional level certification-holders are qualified to oversee day-to-day and long-term administration, including trouble-shooting and solving problems. At the Master level of Oracle Certification, candidates must have several years of job experience as well as successfully completing examinations.

Applicants for Database Administration and Development careers should obtain at a minimum a Bachelor’s degree in Database Administration, Computer Science, or a related field. Entry-level candidates may be able to obtain positions with an Associate’s degree and gain the knowledge and experience required for higher level positions through on-the-job training.

Completing each level of Oracle Certification requires successfully completing one or more examinations. Obtaining Master level certification also requires several years’ worth of work experience in working with Oracle databases. Note, however, that Oracle Certification is not a replacement for relevant work experience, even when an employer prefers a candidate with these credentials. An Oracle DBA or SQL Server DBA may require between three and five years of work experience before many employers will consider them as candidates for Administrator positions.

According to US Department of Labor Predictions, growth of Database Administrator career opportunities is expected to grow at a much faster than average rate of around 37%, through to the year 2016, due to the increasing need of companies and large organizations to adopt sophisticated database technology.

Database Administrators and Developers may earn between $37,000 and more than $100,000, with the average new entrant to these careers earning between $37,000 and $48,000 depending on their qualifications.

Overall, the median salary for Database Administrators is approximately $65,000. The field in which a Database Administrator works also influences their salary. For example, the average salary in Computer Systems Design is around $75,000 while in local government agencies, a DBA might earn around $63,000.

Database Administration focuses on planning, installing, and maintaining computerized information systems, commonly known as databases. If they are responsible for creating a new database, the Database Administrator must first establish a company’s requirements for the database in terms of how information must be stored, categorized, retrieved and displayed. They must then design and build a database that meets the company’s needs, and then rigorously test the system to ensure it works according to specifications.

A Database Administrator may also be required to populate a new database with information. Following this, they may be responsible for maintaining the database by performing regular backups, troubleshooting errors and problems, and maintaining security. In addition, they may also be required to train and supervise a team of support staff. Often, however, a Database Administrator is employed to maintain an existing database, rather than being involved in its development.

Database Administration requires not only a high level of specialized technical knowledge, but also some important work skills. A Database Administrator should have excellent problem-detection and problem-solving skills, with a logical and analytical approach to solving database issues. They must also be able to prioritize their work efficiently to solve problems quickly as they arise. Good communication and interpersonal skills are also important, as Database Administrators often work with and supervise a team of support staff, and may also be needed to train employers to use databases.

Candidates can obtain a variety of different Oracle DBA certification types, including three different levels of certification, and three different types of Oracle databases. Each level of certification—Associate, Professional and Master—provides increasingly advanced certification. The Associate level, for example, is more suitable for people with little or no prior work experience in database administration, while the Professional and Master levels typically require some work experience. The Master level, for example, does require seven or more years of work experience before a candidate is eligible to attempt the certification examinations.

Oracle Database Administrators are certified to work with Oracle database systems, and the Oracle DBA certification provides them with some validation of their skills and knowledge. However, note that Oracle Certification is not a replacement for work experience, and that work experience is required by employers in addition to or instead of certification.

Oracle Database Administrators should be able to approach troubleshooting and problem-solving in a logical fashion, and have the work-prioritization skills needed to keep a database operating efficiently on a day-to-day and long-term basis. They must be able to troubleshoot and solve problems quickly, and may be needed to devise short-term solutions to ensure a database remains operational. For senior Oracle Database Administrators, good communication skills and interpersonal skills are also needed.

SQL is Structured Query Language, a computer database language designed to manage and retrieve data that is held in database systems. SQL Server Database Administrators are involved in development and maintenance of databases built on a SQL Server foundation. An SQL Server Database Administrator may be involved in

• Designing
• Developing
• Testing new database systems
• Maintaining and troubleshooting existing systems

They will typically work closely with both technical staff and clients on a day-to-day basis.

SQL Server Database Administrators can obtain Oracle Certification to become an SQL Certified Expert, which validates their skills in working with this database programming language. However, it’s important to note that Oracle SQL Certification is not a replacement for work experience, and employers who prefer an Oracle-certified candidate may also require they have two or more years of work experience depending on the nature of the employment.

An SQL Server Database Administrator must have a high level of specialized technical knowledge, as well as excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, with a logical and analytical approach to detecting and solving database problems. Good work-prioritization skills are also important, as well as communication and interpersonal skills for Database Administrators who supervise IT support staff.

Database Developers focus on planning and installing databases, which are information systems stored on computers. Their work involves first determining a client’s requirements in terms of database specifications such as how information should be:

• stored
• categorized
• retrieved
• displayed

With this information in hand, they are then responsible for designing and building the database according to client specifications. They must also test and refine the system to ensure it works, and to ensure it meets all of the client’s specific needs.

Once the system has been built, a Database Developer may also be responsible for populating the database with new information. They may also be required to train staff to use the database, and train IT staff to operate it on a day-to-day basis.

Database Developers should have a strongly logical and analytical approach to problem-detecting and problem-solving, with a good eye for detail. They should be able to understand their client’s needs and understand what types of systems will meet those needs. Communication skills and interpersonal skills are also important, as Database Developers will work closely with clients and may be required to train staff members.