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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Database Administrators

Part of Information Technology, in the Network Systems pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 15-1242.00

What the work is

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

On a typical day

  • Develop standards and guidelines for the use and acquisition of software and to protect vulnerable information.
  • Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
  • Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
  • Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
  • Approve, schedule, plan, and supervise the installation and testing of new products and improvements to computer systems, such as the installation of new databases.
  • Train users and answer questions.

What it pays

$107,410
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $68,050
Experienced workers reach $151,650
  1. $68k10th
  2. $83k25th
  3. $107kMedian
  4. $128k75th
  5. $152k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $68,050, 25th $83,060, Median $107,410, 75th $128,210, 90th $151,650

About 390 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+10.5%

employment change in the Alamo region, 409 to 452 jobs · U.S. -1%

25

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 3,800

409

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 78,000

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Complex Problem Solving4.1
  2. Critical Thinking4.0
  3. Reading Comprehension4.3
  4. Judgment and Decision Making4.0
  5. Active Listening3.9
  6. Active Learning4.1
  7. Speaking3.9
  8. Programming3.9

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Some college2%
  2. Associate degree3%
  3. Bachelor's degree93%
  4. Master's degree1%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • San Antonio
  1. Database Administration, A.A.S.

    Degree · Science & Technology

  2. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  3. Computer Information Systems

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  4. Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

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