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Admin, HR, legal

Database administrator

Database administrators create, organise and look after computer systems that store data for a company.

Annual Salary

£24,000 to £45,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 39 a week

You could work: on call;

2.8%
Future employment

There will be 2.8% more Database administrator jobs in 2029.

Day to day tasks

You'll work with an organisation to:

  • establish the purpose of the database
  • decide who can access the database
  • identify other systems the database will link to
  • plan how to organise, find and display data
  • build a test version and check the results for bugs
  • fill the database with new information or transfer existing data into it
  • plan how to update information, create back-up copies and report errors
  • put in security measures

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

You could get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
University

You could study for a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification before joining a company training scheme.

Useful subjects include:

  • computer science
  • business information systems
  • software engineering
  • information technology management
  • mathematics

You may have an advantage when you look for work if you do a degree that includes a work placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship

You could get into this job by applying to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Data Engineer Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

If you already have a degree or relevant experience, you may be able to do a Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

These can take between 2 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct application

You may be able to apply directly for a place on a graduate training scheme. You can usually apply if you have a degree in any subject.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • You'll need to know structured query language (SQL) and database management systems (DBMS).

More information

Career tips

Experience in IT support, programming or web development will help.

Further information

The Chartered Institute for IT and techskills have more details about careers and training in computing.

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With experience, you could become a:systems analyst; IT project manager; web developer; network manager

You could also work as a consultant or become self-employed.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
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