Guide to DBA certifications

Database administrators are always in demand in today’s data-driven society. As an IT professional, you can position yourself to stand out in your field by earning one or more of the many DBA certifications available. Read on to discover the benefits of DBA certifications, common certifications you can pursue, and typical jobs and salary projections for database administrators.

What is a database administrator?

A database administrator (DBA) is the person responsible for managing a database environment. The DBA keeps the database organised and ensures it runs efficiently. Using a database management system, the DBA ensures all related applications have the data to function effectively. With so much of the digital environment today dependent on databases, this is important in many business IT environments.

Database administration includes overseeing essential data such as payroll and employee information, customer information, compliance resources, sales, and more. The DBA has to be attentive to detail, able to prioritise, and skilled in data security, management, and optimisation.

What is a DBA certification?

Certification programmes demonstrate that you possess specific skills, knowledge, and experience using data. You can typically gain certification by meeting particular prerequisites and passing an exam. Many different DBA certifications are available. If you’re considering a database role, it can be helpful to study a particular database in-depth for skills certification. You can prove your knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL) and other types of databases and better understand the many types of data, such as structured, semi-structured, unstructured, and polymorphic. 

What are the benefits of DBA certifications?

A DBA certification can help administrators keep up with the latest in database design and theory. You can also expand your general operating system knowledge. A DBA certification is a testament to your DBA skills and can help you be more attractive to employers. With the certification, you may have greater success in your DBA career. Typically, certificates also help administrators earn more.

Common DBA certifications

You can become proficient in many databases and seek certification for each type. A DBA can get certified by the manufacturer of a particular database or go the vendor-agnostic route. Outlined below are popular options in both categories.

Proprietary certifications

Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM are the big players in database certification. Database administrators can benefit from testing their skills in one or more certifications.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate

This proprietary certification teaches the DBA operational aspects of cloud and hybrid platform solutions built by Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services. The required certification exam tests your skills in planning and deploying data platform resources, establishing a secure environment, monitoring and optimising database resources, automating task configurations, and designing high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) solutions. Microsoft suggests those seeking this certification first familiarise themselves with Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals.

Oracle Certified Professional

Oracle database certifications are based on the company’s various server releases. You can earn certification for more than one release as a DBA, as different clients will be using different Oracle releases. The Oracle Certified Professional certification helps you prepare for positions including administrator, developer, implementer, consultant, and architect. Oracle also offers database certifications at the foundations associate, associate, and master levels.

IBM Certified Administrator–Db2 

This certification tests DBA skills on the Db2 product on the z/OS operating system. Qualifying individuals can perform database design and implementation, operation and recovery, security and auditing, and more. To prepare for the 90-minute exam from IBM, you might take the assessment exam or sample test and use the manufacturer’s study guide.

SAP HANA Certification

Many companies use the HANA system to manage relational databases and provide high performance and efficiency. You can pursue an associate, specialist, or professional certificate to help an organisation make the most of its SAP HANA systems. 

Vendor-agnostic certifications

CertiProf, the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP), and ETA International are three independent organisations that provide certifications to support high standards among DBAs. The different certifications related to data administration come at several levels, from foundational to expert. 

CertiProf Big Data Professional

Big Data Professional Certificate (BDCP), by CertiProf, focuses on the big data ecosystem and its essential components. The certification also considers the challenges in governing big data. Furthermore, the BDCP touches on the four Vs of big data: volume, velocity, variety, and veracity.

ICCP Data Governance and Stewardship Professional

This ICCP certification focuses on managing data availability, usability, and integrity. Securing the data and establishing effective processes are also covered. The goal is to help you as a DBA ensure high-quality data management throughout the life cycle.

Computer Service Technician (CST)

A CST certification demonstrates your ability to service hardware and systems software. This ETA information technology certification can be a good starting point for an entry-level database administrator and technician.

Typical jobs for certified database administrators

The average annual base salary for a database administrator in India is ₹7,30,539 [1]. You can pursue a variety of roles associated with database administration. Glassdoor provides the following salary information for DBA roles as of July 2024:

• SQL database administrator: ₹7,70,000 per year [2]

• Senior database administrator: ₹15,00,000 per year [3]

• Database developer: ₹6,00,000 per year [4]

• Database engineer: ₹6,77,000 per year [5]

• Database consultant: ₹13,00,000 per year [6]

• Data warehousing specialist: ₹8,54,700 per year [7]

Prepare for your DBA certification with Coursera

Database administrators oversee the management of an organisation's databases whilst ensuring the integrity and security of its data. Attaining success in this specialised computer systems administrator role requires robust training. Certifications, either proprietary or vendor-agnostic, can help you develop the necessary technical skills for the DBA role. 

Expand your skill set with the University of Boulder's online program, Databases for Data Scientists Specialisation. The beginner-friendly courses in this programme can be completed in just two months, awarding you with a shareable certificate for your resume upon completion.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)