We surveyed 2,620 database administrators to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical database administrator. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a database administrator?

Low

High

Working as a database administrator typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.

Can I learn to become a database administrator?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a database administrator typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a database administrator?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a database administrator. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for database administrators.

Info

Do database administrators work full-time or part-time?

87% of database administrators work in full-time roles while 13% work part-time.

Is being a database administrator stressful?

Low

High

Database administrators tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.

Is being organized important as a database administrator?

Low

High

Some level of organization is generally required to be a database administrator.

How competitive is the workplace for database administrators?

Low

High

Competition at work is not common for database administrators.

Does being a database administrator require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for database administrators.

Are database administrators allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Database administrators rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.

Do database administrators have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

Database administrators tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.

Is being a database administrator physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as a database administrators is rarely physically demanding, making it a suitable option for those unable to perform physically strenuous tasks.

Are database administrators exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

Database administrators tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.

Does being a database administrator require attention to detail?

Low

High

Attention to detail is a vital skill for database administrators, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.

Does being a good database administrator require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a database administrator.