Career profile for Database Analyst

What does a Database Analyst do?

Database Analysts design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks.

In addition, Database Analysts

set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security,
model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses,
create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow,
integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

What kind of tasks does a Database Analyst perform regularly?

Database Analysts are often responsible for overseeing or executing some or all of the following tasks:

Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance and reliability.
Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.
Set up database clusters, backup, or recovery processes.
Create and enforce database development standards.
Design database applications, such as interfaces, data transfer mechanisms, global temporary tables, data partitions, and function-based indexes to enable efficient access of the generic database structure.
Develop and document database architectures.
Document and communicate database schemas, using accepted notations.
Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.
Demonstrate database technical functionality, such as performance, security and reliability.
Develop load-balancing processes to eliminate down time for backup processes.
Develop or maintain archived procedures, procedural codes, or queries for applications.
Identify and correct deviations from database development standards.
Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.
Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.

The above responsibilities are specific to Database Analysts. More generally, Database Analysts are involved in several broader types of activities:

Activities	Importance	Details
Working with Computers		Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information		Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Analyzing Data or Information		Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems		Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Processing Information		Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

What is a Database Analyst salary?

Median annual salary: N/A
Typical salary range: N/A
Projected growth (2020 - 2030)

What personality traits are common among Database Analysts?

Interests

Career interests describe a person's preferences for different types of working environments and activities. When a person's interest match the demands of an occupation, people are usually more engaged and satisfied in that role.

Compared to most occupations, those who work as a Database Analyst are usually higher in their Investigative and Conventional interests.

Database Analysts typically have strong Investigative interests. Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Also, Database Analysts typically have moderate Conventional interests. Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Values

People differ in their values, or what is most important to them for building job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Compared to most people, those working as a Database Analyst tend to value Achievement, Working Conditions, and Independence.

Most importantly, Database Analysts very strongly value Achievement. Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

Second, Database Analysts strongly value Working Conditions. Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions.

Lastly, Database Analysts strongly value Independence. Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

Psychological Demands

Each occupation brings its own set of psychological demands, which describe the characteristics necessary to perform the job well.

In order to perform their job successfully, people who work as Database Analysts must consistently demonstrate qualities such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, and initiative.

Below, you'll find a list of qualities typically required of Database Analysts, ranked by importance:

Demands	Importance	Details
Analytical Thinking		Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail		Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Initiative		Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity		Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability		Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Analytical Thinking

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Attention to Detail

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Initiative

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Integrity

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

What education and training do Database Analysts need?

Many Database Analysts will have a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Database Analysts usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Educational degrees among Database Analysts

Knowledge and expertise required by Database Analysts

Database Analysts may benefit from understanding of specialized subject areas, such as computers and electronics, design, or mathematics knowledge.

The list below shows several areas in which most Database Analysts might want to build proficiency, ranked by importance.

Knowledge areas	Importance	Details
Computers and Electronics		Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Design		Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mathematics		Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Engineering and Technology		Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Education and Training		Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Important Abilities needed by Database Analysts

Database Analysts must develop a particular set of abilities to perform their job well. Abilities are individual capacities that influence a person's information processing, sensory perception, motor coordination, and physical strength or endurance. Individuals may naturally have certain abilities without explicit training, but most abilities can be sharpened somewhat through practice.

For example, Database Analysts need abilities such as deductive reasoning, written comprehension, and problem sensitivity in order to perform their job at a high level. The list below shows several important abilities for Database Analysts, ranked by their relative importance.

Abilities	Importance	Details
Deductive Reasoning		The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Written Comprehension		The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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.
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.

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

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.

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.

Critical Skills needed by Database Analysts

Skills are developed capacities that enable people to function effectively in real-world settings. Unlike abilities, skills are typically easier to build through practice and experience. Skills influence effectiveness in areas such as learning, working with others, design, troubleshooting, and more.

Database Analysts frequently use skills like critical thinking, reading comprehension, and judgment and decision making to perform their job effectively. The list below shows several critical skills for Database Analysts, ranked by their relative importance.

Skills	Importance	Details
Critical Thinking		Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension		Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making		Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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.
Speaking		Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

What is the source of this information?

The information provided on this page is adapted from data and descriptions published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration under the CC BY 4.0 license. TraitLab has modified some information for ease of use and reading, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this information, please send a message.

Career profile Database Analyst

Database Analyst

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