# database administrator

> profession

**Wikidata**: [Q1078262](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1078262)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_administrator)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/database-administrator

## Summary
A **database administrator (DBA)** is a professional responsible for managing and maintaining database management systems (DBMS), ensuring data integrity, security, and performance. They play a critical role in software engineering and data management, often working with tools like Db2 or contributing to open-source projects such as OpenStreetMap.

## Key Facts
- **Profession Classification**: A database administrator is a subclass of **software engineer** and **data professional**.
- **Primary Function**: Manages and maintains **database management systems (DBMS)**.
- **Salary Data (2022, Australia)**:
  - Sydney: **AUD 150,000** (often)
  - Melbourne: **AUD 128,000** (often)
  - Canberra: **AUD 130,000** (often)
  - Auckland, NZ: **NZD 105,000** (often)
- **Occupational Codes**:
  - **SOC (2010)**: 15-1141
  - **ISCO-08**: 2521
  - **ROME**: 10301
- **Notable Professionals**:
  - **Andres Gomez Casanova** (Colombian/French, Db2 DBA, OpenStreetMap contributor)
  - **Geert Van Pamel** (Belgian engineer and DBA)
  - **Andreas Itzchak Rehberg** (German DBA, programmer, and author)

## FAQs
### Q: What does a database administrator do?
A: A database administrator (DBA) manages database systems, ensuring data availability, security, and performance. They handle tasks like backups, updates, and troubleshooting.

### Q: What is the average salary for a database administrator?
A: Salaries vary by location. In Australia (2022), DBAs in Sydney earned **AUD 150,000** on average, while those in Melbourne earned **AUD 128,000**.

### Q: Is a database administrator a type of software engineer?
A: Yes, database administrators are a subclass of **software engineers**, specializing in database management.

### Q: What are some alternative names for a database administrator?
A: Common aliases include **DBA**, **Remote DBA**, **data base administrator**, and **Datenbankadministratorin** (German).

### Q: What tools or systems do database administrators work with?
A: DBAs typically work with **database management systems (DBMS)** like Db2, MySQL, or Oracle.

## Why It Matters
Database administrators are essential to modern data-driven organizations, ensuring that critical information is stored securely, accessed efficiently, and protected from corruption or breaches. Their work supports everything from financial transactions to healthcare records, making them vital in industries reliant on data integrity. Without DBAs, businesses would face risks like downtime, data loss, or security vulnerabilities, which could lead to financial or reputational damage. As data grows in volume and importance, the role of DBAs becomes increasingly central to IT infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Role**: Unlike general software engineers, DBAs focus exclusively on database systems.
- **High Demand**: Listed under **SOC code 15-1141** and **ISCO-08 code 2521**, reflecting its recognized importance in IT.
- **Global Presence**: Professionals like **Andres Gomez Casanova** and **Geert Van Pamel** highlight the role’s international relevance.
- **Diverse Aliases**: Known by multiple terms across languages (e.g., *administrateur de bases de données* in French).
- **Open-Source Contributions**: Some DBAs, like Casanova, contribute to projects like **OpenStreetMap**.

## Body
### **Definition and Scope**
A **database administrator (DBA)** is a profession focused on the **administration of database management systems (DBMS)**. They ensure databases operate efficiently, securely, and reliably.

### **Key Responsibilities**
- Managing database software (e.g., Db2, MySQL, Oracle).
- Performing backups and recovery.
- Optimizing database performance.
- Implementing security measures.

### **Classification and Codes**
- **Occupational Codes**:
  - **SOC (2010)**: 15-1141
  - **ISCO-08**: 2521 (Database designers and administrators)
  - **ROME (France)**: 10301
- **Subclass of**: Software engineer, data professional.

### **Salary Benchmarks (2022)**
- **Australia**:
  - Sydney: **AUD 150,000**
  - Melbourne: **AUD 128,000**
  - Canberra: **AUD 130,000**
  - Brisbane/Gold Coast: **AUD 120,000**
- **New Zealand**:
  - Auckland/Christchurch: **NZD 105,000**

### **Notable Professionals**
- **Andres Gomez Casanova**: Colombian/French Db2 DBA and OpenStreetMap contributor.
- **Geert Van Pamel**: Belgian engineer and DBA.
- **Andreas Itzchak Rehberg**: German DBA, programmer, and author.

### **Related Terms and Aliases**
- **DBA**, **Remote DBA**, **data base administrator**
- **Multilingual Terms**:
  - French: *administrateur de bases de données*
  - German: *Datenbankadministratorin*
  - Spanish: *administrador de base de datos*

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "database administrator",
  "description": "A professional responsible for managing and maintaining database management systems (DBMS).",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133454630",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_administrator"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28642"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://www.hays.com.au/documents/276732/1102429/Hays+Salary+Guide+IT+Edition+FY2223.pdf)
3. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
4. Wikibase TDKIV