Online Database Administration Degree

Database Administration Degree Overview

In today’s environment, IS [information systems] components are business critical, and the key part of every process is data.

Database Management incorporates three separate degree pursuits: Database Management, Database Development and Database Administration. Each degree and ensuing career path carries varying salary expectations based on education, experience and geographic location.

Database Management

The average Database Management salaries for job postings nationwide are 2% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide. The average salary as of July 2011 was $75,000 taking into account experience, certifications and geographic location. Salaries in this field have been steadily climbing since April of 2010, reaching close to $100,000 depending on geographic location and experience.

Database Management encompasses varying career paths from Database Administrator to Financial Analyst to Executive Assistant. Following are some median salary listings with varying degrees of database management by job designation:

Industries employing those with Database Management degrees include the U.S. Government, Computer Corporations, and Colleges and Universities.

Payscale.com offers additional data on salaries, geographic saturations, and job postings for Database Management and you can view some charts and graphs related to this position at Indeed.com.

Database Development

The average Database Developer salaries for job postings nationwide are 24% higher than average salaries for all job postings. The average salary as of July 2011 was $77,627 taking into account experience, certifications and geographic location. Salaries in this field have been steadily climbing since April of 2010, reaching upwards of $100,000.Median annual wages of database developers were $77,627 in July 2011. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,176, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $108,078.

Payscale.com offers additional data on salaries, geographic saturations, and job postings for Database Developers and you can view some charts and graphs related to this position at Indeed.com.

Database Administration

According to the latest job statistics gathered in 2008, there were 120,400 employed as Data Administrators. Employment of database administrators is expected to grow by 20 percent in the next ten years. Demand for these workers is expected to increase as organizations need to store, organize, and analyze increasing amounts of data. In addition, as more databases are connected to the Internet, and as data security becomes increasingly important, a growing number of these workers will be needed to protect databases from attack.

Database administrators should continue to enjoy excellent job prospects. In general, applicants with a college degree and certification will have the best opportunities. However, for some of these occupations, opportunities will be available for applicants with related work experience. Job openings in these occupations will be the result of strong employment growth, as well as the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.

Median annual wages of database administrators were $75,730 in May 2010. The middle 50 percent earned between $54,250 and $95,170. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $115,660.

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are as follows:

You can view the latest Occupational Employment and Wages for Database Administrators at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and find more helpful information at O-NET Online.