Pros and Cons of a Database Developer Career
Database developers are specialized software developers that create explicit and detailed software mapping for computer programmers to follow. Continue reading the pros and cons to find out if a database developer career is right for you.
| Pros of a Database Developer Career |
|---|
| Faster than average job growth (22% between 2012 and 2022)* |
| High salary potential (application developers earned a median annual income of $96,000 and system software developers earned a median annual salary of $103,000 in 2014)* |
| Advances in technology may allow for telecommuting* |
| Careers available in nearly every field* |
| Cons of a Database Developer Career |
|---|
| Some positions may require overtime work* |
| Must understand additional computer programming techniques* |
| Software development may be a long process* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Information
Job Description and Duties
Database developers are responsible for the information capital of a company, the essential demographics of a government agency or the compounded research of an educational institution. They must place the data in an accessible, manageable database and ensure that the database's platform runs optimally. Database developers must create and implement security measures to protect a database from external threats and maintain information privileges internally.
Career Outlook and Salary Info
According to the BLS, software developers are expected to see a rapid growth in positions of 22% between 2012 and 2022. A few factors leading to growth include system updates in healthcare establishments, database security concerns, an increased demand for mobile compatibility and lower software production costs. The BLS stated that system software developers earned a median annual salary of around $103,000 and application developers earned a median annual salary of about $96,000 in May 2014.
Education Requirements
Information management technology changes rapidly. Therefore, employers select database developers with the minimum of a bachelor's degree. The most common majors for prospective database developers to pursue are computer science, management information systems and information sciences. Students can gain an edge by working as an intern while studying or by pairing their information technology (IT) studies with practical business coursework as more employers seek business-minded IT professionals.
Useful Skills
Since multiple majors lead to this field, you may want to choose the program best suited to your personal goals. You'll want to focus most of your education on database development, but you may also have the potential to expand your understanding through computer programming, network development, data analysis, Web development, program design or language processing. The following skills may be required by employers:
- Ability to work as a consultant on development issues
- Ability to troubleshoot any situation
- Knowledgeable in SQL and Oracle programming
- Knowledge of the proper channels for data reporting
Job Postings from Real Employers
Database developer careers are found with many types of employers in various fields. You may find that an employer may require experience working with database systems in their particular field. While the following may not be a comprehensive look at every career, these examples are from a national job board sampling in April 2012:
- A wireless developer in Seattle was looking for a developer that was able to conduct database-related research and correct performance issues.
- A telecommunications company in Philadelphia was looking for someone with an understanding of data modeling and process automation.
- A staffing firm in Maryland searched for a developer that was able to write extraction scripts and operate learning management systems.
- A car sales company in Phoenix was searching for someone that was able to work with .Net applications and effectively review computer code.
- A multimedia company located in Saint Paul advertised for someone that knew how to address quality assurance reports and ensure result progress reports.
How to Stand Out
You may want to look into earning Microsoft SQL Server Certification to show that you are a database development professional. To earn this certification, you have to complete five exams pertaining to information that you may learn in your degree programs or courses offered by Microsoft. Depending on your specialization, you may be able to focus your certification on data platforms or business intelligence.
Develop Related Skills
To help with database development proficiency, you may need to understand computer algorithms, how to use various operating systems, telecommunications, information risk management, project management and programming techniques. Some programs can also provide focus on additional fields, including technical writing, information security, Web operations, network foundations, wireless technologies and digital design techniques.
Alternative Career Paths
Computer Programmer
If you would like to start a career developing and coding the programs used in establishing database systems, you may be interested in a computer programming career. Programmers interpret software plans as presented by a developer. As a computer programmer, you may be responsible for using a variety of computer languages, reviewing programming code to ensure correct coding strands, modifying older programs to ensure they are up-to-date, providing program code instructions and debugging programs to ensure faultless execution. You may find that most employers require you to have a bachelor's degree, but some companies only require an associate's degree. As of May 2011, the BLS estimated that the median salary for computer programmers was $73,000.
Network and Computer Systems Administrator
As a network and computer systems administrator, you create a means for databases to be accessed from remote and local computers. You may be responsible for installing and maintaining network systems, ensuring information security, promoting ease of access, making sure that clients understand how to correctly operate these networks and providing a place for data storage. A bachelor's degree is often preferred, but you may be able to find employment with a professional certificate or associate's degree. In May 2011, the BLS estimated that workers in this field earned a median salary of $71,000.
