SOUTH AFRICA 路 SALARY IN RANDS

Database Administrators

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Database Administration Manager
  • Database Administrator (DBA)
  • Database Analyst
  • Database Coordinator
  • Database Engineer
  • Database Manager
  • Development and Database Administration Manager
  • IS Admin (Information Systems Administrator)

What do Database Administrators do?

A Database Administrator (DBA) is a professional responsible for managing, maintaining, and securing databases in an organization. They ensure that databases are available, organized, and perform optimally to support the various applications and users that rely on them. DBAs are tasked with installing and configuring database management systems (DBMS), monitoring performance, implementing backup and recovery procedures, and optimizing database queries. They work closely with system architects and developers to design database structures that meet business needs while ensuring data integrity and security. In addition to technical skills, DBAs often engage in troubleshooting and providing support to users, making their role critical in maintaining the overall health of an organization鈥檚 data management practices.

What the work actually is

  • Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes.
  • Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure.
  • Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
  • Specify users and user access levels for each segment of database.
  • Test changes to database applications or systems.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Abilities

  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Telecommunications Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

馃殌 Find Your Dream Job with JobCopilot

AI-powered job search that matches you with opportunities tailored to your skills and career goals.

Start Job Search

How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master
Associate's degree

A normal week

  • Working with Computers
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Getting Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Analyzing Data or Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

Tools

  • Hard disk arrays Redundant array of independent disks RAID systems
  • Mainframe computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Hard disk drives
  • Tape arrays Tape libraries

Who it suits

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Advertisement

Get a Well-Paying Job Fast

Start Your Career

Get Started

Does this career fit you?

A free assessment matches your answers to careers, and shows the salary that goes with each one.

Start free

Questions people ask

How much do Database Administrators earn in South Africa?

Database Administrators salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Database Administrators do?

Modify existing databases and database management systems or direct programmers and analysts to make changes, Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification or disclosure and Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.