• Database Designer: Designers create the systems used to store data and work with administrators to create the most efficient possible software.
• Database Analyst: Analysts study and manipulate the database software in order to understand how it functions, helping locate glitches or problem areas that can slow down production.

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 3 to 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 2 years to complete
• Doctoral Degree: 3 to 5 years to complete

Degrees are not specifically available for database administration, but several programs in computer or information fields can be applied specifically towards administration of databases or networks.  Degrees in computer science, computer engineering, information systems or business administration are valuable to employers, and some employers do require a bachelor's degree in one of these fields before students are considered for employment. An associate degree is not available in any of the mentioned programs, but the associate degree in general studies can be an advantage for those applying for entry-level positions.  Associate programs often allow students to take classes in computer science or information systems as their elective credits, and this opportunity gives students some experience in the field that counts as official credit. 

Instead of pursuing an associate and subsequent degrees, some students choose to enroll in vocational or technical programs to gain certification in specific fields.  Technical schools offer specific programs in network and database administration, and these schools do provide certification of completion and proficiency upon graduation.  They rarely specialize in specific software, so the certification might not apply towards a hiring companies own requirements, but most schools train students to operate multiple forms of software on different platforms.  This certification can be done immediately after obtaining a high school degree or GED equivalent, and some high schools offer courses via these schools in place of certain high school courses. 

Bachelor's degrees in computer science of information systems are requirements for higher-level positions in database administration, though entry-level employees can have these degrees as well.  Bachelor's degrees in computer science take three to four years to complete, while equivalent level degrees in information systems take two to four years to complete.  Both degrees contain courses in computer programming, networking, and interlinking software, but information systems courses focus less on the math and programming and more on the transference of data between networks. 

While doctoral degrees are available in computer science or engineering, many database administrators prefer to receive a master's degree in business administration with a focus on information systems.  This particular program allows students to take courses on the marketing, finance, and management information that are normally entered into databases while also studying systems management and design as well as electronic business and database management.  The master's program takes two to three years to complete after finishing the bachelor's degree, and it involves several research and presentation projects that represent the student's particular specialization.

Besides a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field, many employers require database administrators to be certified in their specific computing programs.  These certifications are normally available from the product vendors themselves or through the employer, and some training institutions offer vocational programs for database or network administration. (BLS)

The average salary of database administrators in May 2008 was $69,740, and this salary was affected by place of employment and position within the company. The salaries of entry-level employees were among the lower 10 percent of earnings, and this salary was less than $39,900 a year.  These employees mainly focused on maintaining databases or transferring information from them.  Employees with multiple certifications in different software earned the middle percentage of wages, which were between $52,340 and $91,850 a year.  Database administrators employed in design of databases and computer systems earned $78,510 a year, while the managers in their fields or managers of the databases in corporations earned $74,730 a year. (BLS)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a much faster-than-average growth rate of 30 percent for the overall employment of computer network, systems, and database administrators from 2008 to 2018.  This occupation will add 286,600 new jobs during the specified decade, but the growth within this employment increase varies by specialty.  Database administrators, however, are among one of the fastest growing sectors.

Database administrators specifically are expected to grow in employment by 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, and this drastic increase in employment is in response to the need for faster and larger databases to support the influx of information being transported between networks daily.  The growth of networks connecting businesses to the Internet requires databases to be well secured and efficient, and database administrators who are able to protect as well as manage databases are in high demand. (BLS)

Telecommunications technicians work with communication networks to provide high-speed access between multiple computer systems, like Internet providers, office and home networks, and other forms of digital communication.  These careers are increasing in popularity overseas, but those with certifications or degrees in computer networking are often able to find stable positions from home or in a business.  Telecommunication installers and repairers earn salaries between $23.12 and $26.73 an hour, and these salaries do depend on union status and employment location. (BLS)

Network administrators are similar to database administrators in that they supervise and work with specific software, but network administrators work specifically with the connections between networks, like wireless, hard-wired, Internet or linked computer networks.  Network administrators are usually qualified with computer engineering degrees, though they are required to have extensive knowledge of the software used for their specific networking programs.  Network administrators can also be asked to design or install specific networks in addition to supporting them, so certification in their employer's computing system is required. (BLS)