Career Overview
Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.
Also Known As
- Database Analyst
- Database Developer
- Database Programmer
- Information Architect
Alternate Job Titles
- ADP Planner (Automatic Data Processing Planner)
- Big Data Architect
- Big Data Engineer
- Cloud Architect
- Cloud Infrastructure Architect
- Computer Architect
- Data Analyst
- Data Architect
- Data Engineer
- Data Governance Analyst
- Data Integration Specialist
- Data Management IT Specialist (Data Management Information Technology Specialist)
- Data Manager
- Data Miner
- Data Modeler
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Develop and document database architectures.
- Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
- Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
- Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability.
- Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.
- Design database applications, such as interfaces, data transfer mechanisms, global temporary tables, data partitions, and function-based indexes to enable efficient access of the generic database structure.
- Develop methods for integrating different products so they work properly together, such as customizing commercial databases to fit specific needs.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Analysis
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Information Ordering
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Recognition
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- AJAX
- Amazon DynamoDB
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
- Amazon Redshift
- Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Ansible software
- Apache Airflow
- Apache Cassandra
Tools & Equipment
- Copy machines
- Desktop computers
- Hard disk drives
- Laser facsimile machines
- Load balancers
- Mainframe computers
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Redundant array of independent disks RAID systems
- Tape libraries
Work Environment
- Spend Time Sitting
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $81,630 |
| Median | $135,980 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $209,990 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 64,770
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Database Administrators
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $104,620
Data Warehousing Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $135,980
Software Developers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $133,080
Computer Systems Analysts
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $103,790
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $108,970
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.