Database analysts and data administrators
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Database analysts design and develop database systems to store, manage and protect organizations’ data. They model data systems and gather and clean data for others to interpret.
Data administrators also design and develop databases, but with a focus on data entry and updates, as well as account management and user access. They develop and implement data administration policies, standards and models to help ensure data is protected and private. Database administrators are responsible for the integrity of the data and the entire database system.
Database analysts and data administrators work for information technology (IT) consulting firms or in IT units within private or public sector organizations.
Job Titles
Duties
Database analysts:
- Analyze user requirements
- Design, construct, implement and test data models and database management systems
- Provide research and advice to other information systems professionals about the selection and use of database management tools
- Analyze raw data and perform data mining analyses, looking for patterns in large quantities of data
- Create dashboards for visual data analysis
- Supervise other workers in this group
Data administrators:
- Develop and implement data administration policy, standards and models
- Research data requirements
- Develop policies and procedures for network and internet database access, usage and security
- Develop policies and procedures for the backup and recovery of data to minimize interruptions to business operations
- Provide research and advice to other information systems professionals about the collection, availability, security and suitability of data
- Write Structured Query Language (SQL) code to automate database administration tasks
- Lead and coordinate teams of data administrators to develop and implement policies, standards and models
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
2,400% Employed Full Time
79%Work in this occupation is performed in a structured environment, such as an office, hospital or school. It can also be performed remotely through contracted third-party service providers.
Career Pathways
Those currently working as data administrators may move into database analytics as they gain higher level programming and statistics skills.
As graduates gain experience in data storage and management best practices, they can progress to more advanced reporting and data analytics work. With experience, database analysts and data administrators may also move into specialized areas, including other fields of physical science or regulatory and other management.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- An applied polytechnic diploma with a database specialization, potentially leading to a degree, or
- Bachelor's degree, usually in computer science, computer engineering or mathematics, with a focus on structured data and system development
- Computer programming experience with Java or C#, JavaScript and Structured Query Language (SQL) programming is usually required
- Familiarity working with Agile/Scrum teams is sometimes required
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Computer Information Systems/Science
- Math/Statistics Related (Arts)
- Computing Science/Systems Related
- Math/Statistics (Science)
- Information Technology Management
- Web Technologies
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
2,400Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 0 | 0.0% |
| Kootenay | 15 | 0.6% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,715 | 71.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 10 | 0.4% |
| Northeast | 0 | 0.0% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 135 | 5.6% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 510 | 21.2% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
1,380Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
| Kootenay | Not available | Not available |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,050 | 2.2% |
| North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 80 | 2.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 260 | 1.5% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 650 |
| Public Administration | 150 |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 100 |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 90 |
| Educational Services | 80 |
Insights from Industry
With the migration of IT infrastructure to the internet, there is less need for specialists to develop and build on-site systems. More and more companies now license preconfigured solutions from third parties.
With constant changes in technology, database analysts and data administrators must understand ethics and laws, as well as new ways to ensure data security and protection. Continuous learning, adaptation and professional development are key.
Most opportunities are concentrated in the Mainland/Southwest region of the province.
Resources
-
Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC)www.asttbc.org
-
Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) of British Columbiabc.cips.ca
-
Information and Communications Technology Councilwww.ictc-ctic.ca
