What are the skills, responsibilities, and salary trends of a system administrator?

System administrators should be well versed with computer networks, databases, web services, troubleshooting hardware, and software, etc. They can do certifications provided by Linux, Microsoft, Unix, etc to be more credible. They should have good problem-solving skills. They should also be able to communicate effectively with employees and the higher authorities. It is the responsibility of the system admin to monitor the health of the system, maintain it, install upgrades, maintain backup, know disaster recovery practices, etc. The average salary is very high, approximately $68,000 and it is subject to increase based on the skills and experience. So, it has great earning potential.

What does ACID-compliant mean?

ACID stands for Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability. Atomicity stands for either one or none. For example, if a transaction is taking place, and a network failure occurs mid-way before the transaction is completed, then, the data shouldn't be lost. If the transaction hasn't taken place, it should be reverted back to the same old state. This is called Atomicity. Consistency is ensured when a process satisfies the constraints and predefined rules. Isolation is a property that ensures that a transaction executes at its full potential and behaves as if no other transaction is executing concurrently with it. Durability means that the changes or commits that are done to the database, are permanent.

What are the most challenging tasks for DBA?

The key challenge that DBAs are facing today is the conversion to an application-centric model from the traditional IT infrastructure model. This means, the database administrators have to keep updating themselves so that they can work with different structures of data like structured, semi-structured & unstructured, and various varieties of databases like relational, object-oriented, object-relational, non-relational, cloud, etc, and maintain data in an organized format. So, it's a challenge for the DBAs to handle large amounts of changing data with the latest technologies while maintaining an application-specific mindset. They can achieve this by continuously monitoring the application performance keeping database as a priority.

DBA Salary in India: For Freshers & Experienced [2023]

DBA stands for Database Administrator. They help companies with their database needs, such as overseeing database updates, troubleshooting, security, and storage. It’s an in-demand profession and enjoys lucrative pays in multiple industries. But precisely what is the average DBA salary in India?

The Database Administrator career presents decent job prospects. Those aspirants willing to become a DBA (Database Administrator) should learn skills like problem-solving, communication, analytical skills, etc., to ensure a successful career.

A Database Administrator has a complete understanding of Microsoft’s Structured Query language server. They use the software to store and analyze data which would help an organization. He is the one who is responsible for the storage, design, analysis, maintenance, and security of the databases.

The duties and responsibilities of the Database Administrator vary from organization to organization; however, certain basic responsibilities remain the same which are listed below:

1) Developing a diverse range of databases

2) Maintenance and optimization of database performance

3) Preventing unauthorized access and ensuring security

4) Backup and restoration of databases

5) Troubleshooting different problems related to database management

6) Data management, data customization, analysis, and quality check

7) Software installation and regular maintenance

8) Plan the structure and storage of different data warehouses

9) Adhering to data management policy

10) Authentication and recovery of database repositories

Database Administrators is one of the most sought-after careers in India and the world as organizations are going digital which calls up for security and backup.

A DBA must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology. It is even better if they have industry experience. Achieving advanced certifications help them to obtain admirable database administrator salary from esteemed organizations. Note that certification specializing in different database management systems is not mandatory but helps them elevate their career graph. Besides educational requirements, many leading employers recruit only those DBAs with 3-5 years of experience.

We’ll find the answer to that question in this article. We’ll also discuss the job description of the Database Administrator, factors that influence DBA salary, and how you can become a professional in this field. Let’s get started.

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What is the Average DBA Salary in India?

The average DBA salary in India is around ₹ 5 Lakh Per Annum. Their salary starts from nearly ₹ 3 Lakh Per Annum and goes up to ₹ 15 Lakh Per Annum. It’s one of the most sought-after roles, and there’s a massive demand for database administrators in the country as well. You can expect to get an average of ₹ 45,000 as a bonus and ₹ 20,000 under profit sharing.

IT companies have a huge demand for database administrators. And it has only increased in recent years. Like many other tech jobs, a database administration salary depends on numerous factors as well. Here are some essential factors that influence a database administrator’s salary

Source: Payscale.com

DBA Salary in India: Based on Location

According to Payscale, Database Administrators earn around 19% more than the national average. Professionals in Gurgaon and Hyderabad also enjoy higher than average pay. However, we can’t say the same for DBAs working in Mumbai and New Delhi. In Mumbai, DBAs have reported earning around 10% less than the national average. For Delhites, the difference is lesser, but still, it’s less than 4% of the national average. Your location has a significant impact on your salary in this profession.

Several cities in India offer admirable database administrator salary. Generally, DBAs employed in Bengaluru, Karnataka earn higher salaries than the national average. DBAs employed in Chennai, Tamil Nadu receive a higher salary than in other cities in India. Those DBAs employed at Pune, Maharashtra obtain a higher salary than the national average, but it’s comparatively lower than that offered in Bengaluru.

Source: Payscale.com

DBA Salary in India: Based on Experience

Experience is easily one of the most influential factors for a job. DBAs with less than one year of experience earn around ₹ 3 Lakh per annum. Those who are early in their careers (one to four years of experience) can expect to receive around ₹ 4.2 lakh per year.

Currently, mid-career Database Administrators earn an average of ₹ 8.4 lakh per year. They are professionals with around five to nine years of work experience. DBAs with experience of more than ten years but less than 19 years earn around ₹ 12 lakh per year. And those with more than 20 years (or more) of experience earn an average of ₹ 11 lakh per year.

As you can see, the more experience you have in this sector, the higher would be your pay.

Source: Payscale.com

DBA Salary in India: Based on Skills

Another influential factor is the skills you have. Some essential skills that impact your salary as a DBA include SQL, Oracle, communication, and several others. We have discussed the vital skills in detail later in this article.

With high expertise and experience, you can get promoted to the role of Senior Database Administrator. The average salary of Senior DBAs is ₹ 10 Lakh per annum and goes up to ₹ 20 Lakh per annum.

Source: Payscale.com

DBA Company Salary

To become a Database Administrator, one has to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in information science or computer science for most of the entry-level positions available in the company. Based on the complexity and size of the organization, he can also go for a Master’s Degree and complete different courses that are available for upskilling. Several platforms are available which help professionals upskill their data analytics skills such as upGrad, and Udemy. Coursera, etc.

They earn a pretty good amount of income for living a good life.

A Database Administrator’s salary ranges anywhere between 3.1 LPA to 9.6 LPA, with an average salary of 5.6 LPA. Different Tech based companies in India such as Wipro, Capgemini, Cognizant, Ibm, Tech Mahindra, etc. recruit Database Administrators.

A Database administrator with less than three years of experience earns an average of about 3.7 LPA. A median level database administrator with an experience of about 4 to 6 years earns about 7 LPA on average in India which goes on to increase based on the seniority level and experience

Different factors such as the company size, experience, location of the company, educational qualification, skills, etc., affect the salary that a database administrator earns.

Database Administrator’s salaries and perks increase with an increase in their experience and expertise level.

They are in high demand and the career growth as a Database Administrator is about to increase more in the coming years.

DBA Job Description

A Database Administrator has the responsibility of managing the database software properly so the client can access them quickly when necessary. They use software to save and organize data, and they ensure that it’s available to the user. A DBA also has to make sure that the company database remains safe from threats and would work with a cybersecurity professional (or team) to follow the required measures.

Constant access, traffic, and searches could damage the database, so a DBA has to make sure that the company servers remain efficient. Organizations maintain databases for multiple purposes. They could have a customer database that stores the details of their customers (who they are, how frequently they buy, etc.).

Similarly, they could have a database to store all the financial transactions and their details. A prominent responsibility of a DBA is to keep these pieces of information accessible all the time. They also ensure that the company’s data professionals (data analysts and others) can find the required information efficiently.

For example, the company of the DBA might want to use cloud storage. The Database Administrator would then store the required data in a cloud and keep it available.

They also have to monitor the system’s performance and take action when necessary. They usually work with a team of developers, managers, and analysts, so they need excellent communication skills as well. We can summarize the responsibilities of a Database Administrator in the following points.

Read: Full Stack Developer Salary in India

DBA (Database Administrator) Responsibilities

Create database structures
Modify database structures according to requirements
Identify their client’s needs and administer databases accordingly.
Maintain the database and update its permissions
Merge old databases to create new ones
Backup and restore data to avoid any loss.
Keep the database accessible.
Maintain the efficiency of database systems and mitigate errors
Solve database-related problems

Here is a comprehensive list of their responsibilities:

They ascertain that the Data integrity is properly managed since it secures data against unauthorised use. They also manage data relationships to guarantee data consistency.
DBAs oversee data extraction, transformation, and loading called ETL. It refers to the competent import of a huge amount of data from multiple systems within a data warehouse environment.
After the database is executed, they must supervise databases to detect any performance issues. In case a system component makes the processing sluggish, the DBA might have to alter the software configuration or increase hardware capacity.
DBAs develop backup and recovery plans and processes conforming to industry standards.
The crucial component in database security is deploying employee access. DBAs determine who gains access and what type of access they have. Moreover, they prepare a subschema to regulate database accessibility.
DBAs support the developers in adding new applications or modifying existing ones without overloading the server.
One of the common job responsibilities of DBA is opening new database user accounts. They allocate user access and also review troubleshooting systems.
DBAs may have to attend meetings with senior managers to guarantee the timely fulfilment of tasks. They must oversee the final inspection of systems. This is included as a part of their responsibility in the database administrator salary.

There are two common specializations in this field:

System Database Administrators
Application Database Administrators

The former is responsible for the technical and physical aspects of a database. The latter, on the other hand, focuses on problem-specific databases such as customer service solutions. System DBAs usually have a background in system architecture, whereas the Application DBAs have an understanding of multiple programming languages.

How do you become a DBA (Database Administrator)?

The average DBA salary in India quickly makes it one of the most lucrative professions. So you might begin to wonder, ‘How do I become a Database Administrator?’

Typically, companies require a candidate to possess a bachelor’s degree in computer science along with a specialization in database administration. Some companies require a candidate to have a background in Information Technology (IT). In some cases, a degree is not sufficient, and so you need to have the necessary skills (certifications) to give your career a head start.

How is the Workplace of a DBA?

DBAs usually work with services firms and computer systems design firms such as data-processing companies and ISPs (Internet Service Providers). DBAs also work in large companies that use databases for better data management. As a Database Administrator, you can get jobs in finance companies as well as insurance companies because both of them need to keep extensive records of their clients.

Retail companies also employ DBAs to keep records of their customers, products, and employees. Another primary sector that requires the expertise of Database Administrators in the healthcare sector as they need to keep track of their patients, payroll, and inventory. Software companies such as IBM and Oracle also employ DBAs.

Certain DBAs manage databases for retail companies, which helps them to keep track of the customer’s shipping information and payment information. DBAs can work for companies like healthcare businesses and manage systems comprising patients’ medical records.

Also read: Data Scientist Salary in India

Essential Skills for a DBA

As we mentioned earlier, one of the most influential factors in determining database administration salary in India is the skills a candidate has. To get the best pay, you should have the in-demand skills. Here are the most prominent skills one should have as a Database Administrator:

DBA is, after all, a tech job. Database Administrators need to have several tech skills to perform their tasks effectively. They need to be familiar with multiple technologies and should be able to use all of them according to their project’s requirements. Acquiring the following skills takes time and effort. Also, remember that different companies prefer different skills according to their unique needs.

Oracle

Oracle is a relational database framework, and it allows easy access to datasets. It helps you in organizing datasets and integrating information into various platforms for better accessibility and ease. Oracle can work almost all of the prominent solutions such as UNIX, Linux, Windows, and Mac OS. Considering the versatility and exceptional skill it demands, the oracle database administrator salary is high.

It is cross-platform, and its network stack enables secure communication of databases present on different platforms. Apart from that, Oracle is ACID-compliant too, ensuring that the data remains safe and reliable. It’s one of the most popular solutions for database administration; that’s why learning about it is imperative to become a DBA. If you learned it, there are high odds of obtaining a decent oracle database administrator salary.

Linux

Linux is an open-source operating system that can control various computer systems such as supercomputers as well as smartphones. You can download it for free and access its coding hacks to create platforms for your client. Linux allows you to build databases that are compatible with multiple systems and technologies. By learning Linux, you’ll be able to create databases for this operating system and avail its features such as high security and flexibility.

The knowledge of Linux helps DBAs in the following ways and increases the odds of fetching a decent database administrator salary.

Perform installations and configurations of Oracle databases on Windows and Linux OS to aid the development department with product compatibility certifications.
Allows using UNIX/Bash Scripting for the general Linux administration.
Helps in creating a quick provisioning process that automatically installs Oracle and develops Oracle databases in a Linux platform.
Helps design, customise, implement, and tune UDB, DB2, and IMS databases and elements on the Linux/AIX platform.

SQL

SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and you’ll use it to manage relational databases. It is a standardized programming language which enables us to perform multiple operations on the data present in database management systems (DBMS). You should be familiar with Microsoft SQL, IBM DB2 and Oracle Database. Your job might require you to build websites by using MySQL or create relational connections through Transact-SQL. That’s why learning this skill is vital for this role.

DBAs must learn any query languages to manage and query the data in the database. It helps DBAs eliminate the manual tasks involved in relating the tables. Depending on the organization, they may use Oracle, SQL Server, MS SQL, or any other query language.

The knowledge of SQL from a database administration perspective assists developers in providing administrative support to the Business Objects server and SQL server databases. They can better administer development, quality analysis, and production in the SQL databases/servers in a clustered environment. The Oracle DBA salary in India is high for skilled DBAs who can implement SQL analytic statistics models, for instance, tuning and query optimization. Moreover, they can analyze and optimize MS SQL Server production/Development databases.

Learn more: SQL Developer Salary in India

Data Analysis

As a Database Administrator, you’ll be working with many data analysts. Knowledge of data analysis will help you substantially in this regard. You should know how to inspect, collate, and interpret datasets. It will also help you translate your findings of complex datasets into beautiful and understandable graphics to inform your clients better. You should know how to perform an analytical interpretation, as well. After you learn data analytics, you can perform many operations with databases.

MS Access

It’s a fundamental technology to learn as a data administrator. It’ll help you in reporting, referencing, and performing data analysis effectively. Microsoft Access can translate metadata sets into searchable datasets. DBAs use MS Access to prioritize the relationships present between datasets and the connected material.

UNIX

UNIX is a multitasking, multi-user, and portable operating system interface written in C (a popular programming language). UNIX has provided the foundation for most Chrome, Android, and Mac systems. Learning this operating system would help you in working with multiple database management systems.

The knowledge of Unix helps DBAs in the following ways and increases the chances of obtaining a decent database administrator salary.

Helps prepare complex UNIX scripts to support database administration functions and applications.
Helps provide the UNIX system administration and database administration.
Helps automated database administration tasks through UNIX shell scripting.
Allows working with the UNIX Administrator to plan and execute the optimum disk utilization and system storage for the database applications.

HTML

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and is the primary language for creating websites. It is responsible for the structure of a webpage, and learning about it will help you in connecting your databases with sites easily. Developers use HTML to create interactive web apps and solutions. You should be familiar with this programming language as it’s widely popular.

Apart from the tech skills we’ve discussed, you should also focus on developing several soft skills such as communication and a problem-solving mindset. As most DBAs work with teams of developers and data professionals, they need to know how to communicate effectively. Having problem-solving skills will make your job much more comfortable, and you’d work more efficiently.

Other important skills DBAs should have:

Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
Good communication
Teamwork and negotiation skills
Good organizational skills
Understanding of the database design principles and major data manipulation languages
The ability to work under pressure and fulfil tight deadlines
A commitment to ongoing professional development
The ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with customers and coworkers
Business understanding of IT business requirements
The ability to stay abreast with new technology developments
Working knowledge of information legislation like the Data Protection Act
The ability to stay calm and methodical when crises like server outages occur
The ability to quickly and efficiently troubleshoot a database, especially in complex software applications and server hardware faults
The ability to create professional reports fulfilling clients’ requirements and knowledge of creating customized reports.

Also check out: DBMS Project Ideas For Beginners

Become a Database Administrator

You must’ve seen how lucrative database administration salary is in the current industry. There’s a high demand for DBAs in the country as well. So, it’s the perfect time to become a DBA and give your career a healthy head start.

If you are interested to learn more about DBMS, Full-stack management and need mentorship from industry experts, check out upGrad & IIIT Banglore’s PG Diploma in Full-Stack Software Development.