Database administration jobs are some of the top career opportunities at the moment. There are several positions to choose from, such as the Oracle database administrator, which works specifically with industry leading Oracle software. Basically, the database administration job description is to oversee the software installation and ongoing software functions of a system that was designed to be used by numerous users in a corporate environment.

Of course most people want to know what the database administrator salary range is when they are considering pursuing this career, and when it comes to pay, the outlook is good. The average salary range for database administrators around the nation is about $51,000 to $83,000 per year. This will vary depending on location, experience, education level and employer, however.

There are many basic responsibilities that come with database administration and management jobs, starting with the installation of new databases, including defining privileges for each authorized user, making sure all the networked work stations are set up to access the new database and setting up login credentials for all authorized persons. There will also be quite a bit of troubleshooting involved with any installation process. Database administrators need to be able to resolve problems for users and address issues that come up with the new product being installed.

Another basic part of the database administration job description is creating backup records of the database’s information, including checking backup files for quality control, ensuring the integrity of the system and making sure the files are easily accessible. And since the database administrator is like the software guru of the corporate environment, he or she must be aware of new software coming out that may be of help to the network of users. Some database administrators even help design and customize database software within a company. This may help increase the salary as well.

Whether you are an Oracle database administrator or an in-house administrator in charge of customizing the company’s databases, this is a rewarding job with plenty of challenges as well as plenty of perks.

Database administrators are often confused with computer systems analysts and even computer scientists. While these three careers are often lumped together when it comes to reporting trends and salaries, each career has its own set of job duties, educational requirements, and even salary. Database administrators coordinate changes to computer databases and test and implement the database by applying knowledge of database management systems.

These professionals also plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases. Computer systems analysts analyze science, engineering, business, and all other data-processing problems for application to electronic data processing systems. Computer scientists work as researchers, theorists, and inventors. They do everything from creating programming languages to designing robots. See the differences?

The number of database administrators is expected to grow from 119,000 to 154,000 by 2016. These figures represent a 28.6% increase in job growth over the next six years. Job growth is expected to grow at such a rapid pace thanks to advances in technology, workers that advance to other careers or retire, and changes in security standards. Anyone interested in entering this field can expect to find plenty of opportunities in every sector, but computer systems design will have the most offerings. In addition, there will be a strong demand for seasonal employees, independent contractors, temporary employees, and telecommuters as companies slowly begin to regroup and restructure.

Not only is the demand for database administrators on the rise, their’ salaries are on the rise as well. Database administrators earned an average salary of $67,250 per year in 2009. In 2008, they earned an average annual average salary of $64,670. This means between 2008-2009, database administrators’ salaries increased by nearly 4%, which is excellent in the nation’s current economy. Database administrators earn around $83,830-$103,100 per year on the high end and $37,350 per year on the low end (entry-level).

If you want to become a part of a growing industry that offers competitive salaries, you can begin by enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program in information science, management information systems, or computer science. It is important to note that more and more employers are paying close attention to applicants with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) with a focus in information systems, mainly because these businesses plan to move their operations to the Internet.

If you would like to start out at the community college level and work your way up, you will find that most community colleges and independent technical institutions and proprietary schools offer an associate’s degree in computer science or a related field. Not only will an associate degree prepare you for study at a 4-year institution, it can also help you get a foot in the door at a number of companies that need entry-level help. It is not uncommon for database administrators to work in the field while earning their bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Without the free flow of data, modern organisations cannot function. They rely on data, data retrieval, storage and security to carry out their daily business functions. With the advent of computer networking in the business environment it’s never been more important to manage databases and ensure that the people responsible for them are fully competent in all aspects of database management.

The work carried out by database administrators is vital and is essential to every aspect of business – be that logistics, payroll or general data supply to other work colleagues. Administrators ensure that this continuous flow of information is not only fast and readily available to everyone who needs it, but is accurate and as up to date as possible. It’s a position that is ideally suited for someone who is methodical and analytical in their thinking and enjoys working with complex systems that are constantly changing and evolving.

Retraining as a database manager is much easier than it seems. The position is one that is recognised as being pivotal to the smooth running of any business, whether that’s a multi-million pound organisation or a small business. Most databases operate the same user systems, so training in the most popular database programmes is a good way to further your career and to expand your skills set into one that can be transferred between careers. Accreditation is the key, and with some of the biggest IT skills providers now offering easy access to accredited courses, retraining to be a database administrator has never been easier.

The best way to retrain as a database administrator is through distance learning packages offered by IT skills specialist providers. In this way you can continue in your current career whilst retraining for a new one, or even perhaps persuade your manager to sponsor you to develop your current job in a completely new direction.

Retraining of any kind can be a daunting prospect, but as the world economy goes through a shift-change as the result of financial difficulties, many more people are considering a change of career. Training in IT offers everyone the chance to take advantage of new opportunities presented by the phenomenal growth of the IT industry, and database administration is a fundamental key role in that industry.