You're the person who makes sure databases run efficiently and the data inside them is accurate and accessible. You write queries, optimize performance, maintain data integrity, and help teams get the information they need — sitting at the intersection of database administration and data analysis.
Your day tends to mix database maintenance with analytical work. You might spend the morning optimizing slow queries, monitoring database performance, and checking storage capacity, then shift to helping a business team extract and analyze data for a report. You're often the person who understands both the structure of the data and what it means to the business, which makes you a key resource for teams that need data but don't know SQL.
Collaboration spans technical and business teams. You're typically working with DBAs on infrastructure concerns, developers on application data needs, and analysts or managers who need data pulled or reports created. You may also be involved in data migration projects, schema changes, or evaluating whether the database can support new business requirements without performance degradation.
People who tend to thrive here are systematic thinkers who enjoy both the technical and the analytical side of data. If you like tuning a query for performance and also enjoy exploring a dataset to find patterns, this hybrid role keeps you engaged. If you want to focus purely on infrastructure or purely on analysis, the dual nature may feel like neither side gets enough attention.
An honest look at who tends to thrive in this role — and who might find it challenging.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths
View all Technology roles →You're the person who makes sure databases run efficiently and the data inside them is accurate and accessible. You write queries, optimize performance, maintain data integrity, and help teams get the information they need — sitting at the intersection of database administration and data analysis.
Median pay for a Database Analyst is about $112K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $57K to $210K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Mathematics, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and Critical Thinking.
Most people in this role hold a bachelor's degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 6.3% through 2034, with roughly 665,550 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Senior Database Analyst, Interactive Media Project Manager, and Information Support Project Manager.
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