Database Administrator Job Description Template
You design, implement, and maintain the database infrastructure that powers the company's applications and reporting. You own data availability, performance, security, and backup strategy.
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Why hire a Database Administrator?
As the business scales and data grows, manual database management becomes a bottleneck. An SMB hires a DBA to prevent outages, ensure compliance, and free developers to build rather than fight infrastructure fires.
Database Administrator salary ranges
Approximate annual gross salary bands (Q2 2026). Always adjust for your city, seniority, and the candidate’s experience.
United States
$75,000 – $110,000
United Kingdom
£55,000 – £80,000
Eurozone
€65,000 – €95,000
Database Administrator responsibilities
- Install, configure, and patch database systems (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL) to specification and security baseline
- Monitor database performance, identify slow queries, and optimize indexes and execution plans to meet SLA targets
- Design and test backup and disaster recovery procedures, running monthly restoration drills to verify recoverability
- Manage user access, audit permissions, and enforce encryption standards to meet data protection and compliance obligations
- Document database architecture, failover procedures, and maintenance schedules so the team can operate without you in emergencies
- Collaborate with developers on schema design and query optimization during application planning, not after deployment
Skills & requirements
Required
- 5+ years administering a production relational database (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or MySQL)
- Hands-on experience with backup, recovery, and point-in-time restoration in a business-critical environment
- Proficiency in Windows Server and/or Linux system administration and command-line utilities
- Working knowledge of database security: authentication, encryption at rest and in transit, least-privilege access
- Ability to read and optimize SQL queries; experience with execution plans and indexing strategy
- Strong written communication: can document procedures and explain technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders
Nice to have
- Experience with cloud-hosted databases (AWS RDS, Azure SQL, Google Cloud SQL) and migration planning
- Familiarity with monitoring and alerting tools (Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog) and log aggregation
- Background in scripting (PowerShell, Bash) for automating routine maintenance tasks
Copy-ready Database Administrator job description
Database Administrator [Company name] · [City], [Country] · [On-site / Hybrid / Remote] $75,000 – $110,000 (US) · £55,000 – £80,000 (UK) · €65,000 – €95,000 (EU) — gross/year
You design, implement, and maintain the database infrastructure that powers the company's applications and reporting. You own data availability, performance, security, and backup strategy.
Why this role exists As the business scales and data grows, manual database management becomes a bottleneck. An SMB hires a DBA to prevent outages, ensure compliance, and free developers to build rather than fight infrastructure fires.
What you'll do
- Install, configure, and patch database systems (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL) to specification and security baseline
- Monitor database performance, identify slow queries, and optimize indexes and execution plans to meet SLA targets
- Design and test backup and disaster recovery procedures, running monthly restoration drills to verify recoverability
- Manage user access, audit permissions, and enforce encryption standards to meet data protection and compliance obligations
- Document database architecture, failover procedures, and maintenance schedules so the team can operate without you in emergencies
- Collaborate with developers on schema design and query optimization during application planning, not after deployment
What you'll need
- 5+ years administering a production relational database (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or MySQL)
- Hands-on experience with backup, recovery, and point-in-time restoration in a business-critical environment
- Proficiency in Windows Server and/or Linux system administration and command-line utilities
- Working knowledge of database security: authentication, encryption at rest and in transit, least-privilege access
- Ability to read and optimize SQL queries; experience with execution plans and indexing strategy
- Strong written communication: can document procedures and explain technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders
Nice to have
- Experience with cloud-hosted databases (AWS RDS, Azure SQL, Google Cloud SQL) and migration planning
- Familiarity with monitoring and alerting tools (Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog) and log aggregation
- Background in scripting (PowerShell, Bash) for automating routine maintenance tasks
What we offer
- Salary: [range, gross, with currency and time unit]
- [Equity / bonus / commission if applicable]
- [Health, PTO, learning budget, equipment — only what's real]
- [Work mode + flexibility]
About [Company] [2–3 sentences: stage, customers, traction. Keep it specific.]
Want it tailored to your company and country?
The free generator writes a country-aware, inclusive, salary-formatted version in 30 seconds — then ranks the applicants when they roll in.
Frequently asked
What does a Database Administrator do?
You design, implement, and maintain the database infrastructure that powers the company's applications and reporting. You own data availability, performance, security, and backup strategy. As the business scales and data grows, manual database management becomes a bottleneck. An SMB hires a DBA to prevent outages, ensure compliance, and free developers to build rather than fight infrastructure fires.
What should a Database Administrator job description include?
A strong Database Administrator job post has a one-line hook, why the role exists, 6 outcome-led responsibilities, a clear list of required skills, the salary range, and a country-specific compliance line. Use the copy-ready template above as a starting point.
How much does a Database Administrator earn?
Approximate annual gross bands (Q2 2026): $75,000 – $110,000 in the US, £55,000 – £80,000 in the UK, and €65,000 – €95,000 in the Eurozone. Adjust for city, seniority, and experience.
How do I write a Database Administrator job description fast?
Use Penroll's free job description generator — enter the title and country and it produces a complete, inclusive, salary-formatted Database Administrator post in about 30 seconds, no signup required.
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