How to Become a SQL Developer

SQL Developers build and develop databases for businesses from a variety of industries. This in-demand career can be pursued after formal training and many of the tools one needs are free, open-source, or low-cost. SQL Developer is considered a solid and stable career to pursue as most businesses need someone who can store, retrieve, backup, secure, and analyze the data they collect. As you consider whether to become an SQL Developer, it is useful to know the steps to take, the tools to use, and the career options available to you. 

What is an SQL Developer?

An SQL Developer designs, develops, and maintains large-scale databases for a business or organization. SQL Developers are responsible for tasks such as creating database structures, writing, analyzing, and optimizing SQL queries to retrieve data and enhance performance, and making sure databases are up-to-date, backed up, and secure. To do this job, one needs to not only know SQL and database design, but also be familiar with major relational database management systems, like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle. In addition, SQL developers often need to know other programming languages and Business Intelligence (BI) processes and tools. 

SQL Developers work in all industries and are frequently employed by companies that handle large amounts of data and information, like the tech industry, education, healthcare, finance, and retail. Depending on the position, some employers in industries like healthcare and finance are looking for SQL Developers who have experience working with their data and platforms, in particular. An SQL Developer will most often find themselves working on a larger team of IT professionals, meaning they need to work collaboratively and have good communication skills. SQL Developers need to collaborate with software developers and data analysts and communicate with those in other departments like marketing or operations about how to implement data requirements. Additionally, SQL Developers may need to communicate with other stakeholders, third-party vendors, and clients as part of their role. 

What Tools Do I Need To Get Started?

After learning SQL, the most important tools that an SQL Developer needs to be familiar with are database management systems. Many of these are open-source and free to download, like MySQL and PostgreSQL. Microsoft’s Server SQL also has a free version available to download. It is also useful to familiarize oneself with the NoSQL approach to databases as some find that this option is more agile and allows data to be stored and accessed in easier ways. Employers will have their different preferences and as long as someone is familiar with at least one flavor or dialect of database management system they should be able to pick up knowledge of others quickly. 

In addition, there are database management tools that SQL Developers can use to make it easier to create and develop databases or even analyze data. Many of these too are open-source and free, like Adminer and DBeaver, both of which support multiple flavors of database management systems. Some database management tools will be more specific to a certain dialect, like Toad for SQL Server or Oracle SQL Developer, so it is important to consider whether you want to use a database management tool specific to one platform or that supports multiple. It might work best to test out some of these database management tools and see which will work for your needs as an SQL Developer as they cater to different Developer roles and job responsibilities. 

SQL Developers should also be familiar with additional programming languages, version control systems, and Business Intelligence (BI) software. Additional programming languages like Python, Java, and C# will allow SQL Developers to create applications, automate tasks, or perform data analysis. Python is considered an especially useful language to learn alongside SQL for database development. Version Control Systems like Git or Mercurial are useful for cross-team collaboration and keeping track of changes made to a database. BI Software, such as Tableau or Microsoft Power BI, is useful to know as integrating these into databases can aid data analysis and visualization. One might not need to know these to start working as an SQL Developer but many employers want someone who can wield these tools. 

Steps to Become an SQL Developer

Your first step to becoming an SQL Developer will be to get the necessary skills and training. Many employers are looking for SQL Developers to have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a STEM-related field. Some will accept equivalent training in place of a college or university degree. Completing SQL classes, bootcamps, or certificate programs will help to show potential employers that you have received the education necessary to know SQL. SQL Developers can also consider adding a professional certification to their resume to show that they have mastered SQL or one or more database management systems. 

An SQL Developer can find internships or entry-level jobs as a Junior SQL Developer or an SQL Programmer. Some of these positions will even train employees to use SQL as part of the position. Those with college degrees are most likely to be able to find entry-level positions that allow for on-the-job training in this way. Most entry-level positions will require someone to have received this training before starting the job. Internships or entry-level positions are great training opportunities as they allow someone to get the experience necessary to move into SQL Developer positions and eventually become a Senior SQL Developer. 

Hands-on, professional experience is key to becoming an SQL Developer. Taking a class can help to provide some of the hands-on experience that employers are looking for, but there are other options to pursue, as well. SQL Developers often have at least one to two years of professional experience working with SQL and Senior SQL Developers should have at least five years experience. Someone just getting started can do freelance SQL development work, volunteer their services, or look for jobs that allow one to undertake projects working with databases, manipulating or analyzing data, or generating reports.

SQL Developer Career Path

Most SQL Developers start with a college degree or equivalent training, though it is possible to still get started on this career path with no formal degree. Taking a class, bootcamp, or certificate program will help to communicate to potential employers that you have the training necessary to be an SQL Developer. Having some sort of educational background, either from a degree program, a training facility, or taking a class, is the standard first step to becoming an SQL Developer. Experience can be a substitute for lack of training, for those who are self-taught in SQL, though in this case, you will want to have a solid portfolio and resume that speaks to your previous successes developing or managing large databases for a person, organization, or business. 

After receiving training, many people go on to do either an internship or start an entry-level job as a Junior SQL Developer or Programmer. An internship or entry-level job will allow one to gain professional experience working with databases while still learning some of the necessary skills to perform at a higher level. With one to two years of experience, you can start applying for positions as an SQL Developer, for small and large businesses. Certain employers will specify whether they are looking for a PL/SQL Developer to work within the Oracle system or whether they need someone familiar with Microsoft’s Server SQL, PostgreSQL, or even NoSQL making it useful to know a wide variety of database management systems to be as marketable as possible. After five to ten years of experience, SQL Developers can move into Senior SQL Developer positions, which is the highest-ranking position for an SQL Developer. 

For those not looking to move from Junior to Senior SQL Developer, there are some alternatives. You can do freelance SQL development work, where you are hired by individual clients for a short-term project. It can be hard to initially find clients when doing freelance work, but the more successful projects a freelancer completes, the easier it will be to find and keep clients over time. Some SQL Developers also move into other careers as Database Administrators, Project Managers, or Consultants.

Why Become an SQL Developer?

Many people choose to pursue becoming an SQL Developer because they enjoy working with SQL and are looking for a solid and stable career path. SQL Developers are in demand as they have a specific knowledge and skill set that brings together the ability the create and build databases with software programming and data analysis. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment rate for database work will grow faster than the average in comparison to all other occupations. 

While SQL Developer is a good career path in and of itself, it can also allow one to pivot and move into other positions, if that is desired. An SQL Developer can eventually pursue other leadership and management opportunities in IT departments or even transition into more specialized data analysis or science positions. Additionally, it can be a good career for those who are looking for more flexible options. SQL Developers can find remote work positions easily and can pursue freelance or part-time work, as well. 

Learn the Skills to Become an SQL Developer at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides high-quality classes taught by expert instructors that can prepare you to become an SQL Developer. Whether you want to transition from another job into a career as an SQL Developer or upskill by learning SQL, Noble offers classes, bootcamps, and certificate programs with full-time and part-time scheduling options. Those with no experience with SQL will want to start by taking a beginning-level class or bootcamp and those looking for comprehensive, career-oriented SQL training should consider a bootcamp or a certificate program. 

Noble offers two SQL bootcamps that will provide comprehensive training, the SQL Bootcamp and SQL Server Bootcamp. Both offer expert instruction in extracting information from databases and turning that information into actionable insights, with minor differences in the flavor of SQL students will learn in each bootcamp. The SQL Bootcamp teaches PostgreSQL, can be taken by those with a Mac or a PC, and is useful for those following the SQL Developer career path or going into data science or data analytics careers. The SQL Server Bootcamp is specific to Microsoft’s database management system which is often used by businesses and requires students to have a PC. The core concepts students learn in each bootcamp will be the same, so students should be able to learn other flavors of SQL, as needed, after completing either bootcamp.

Noble also offers singular SQL classes for beginners (SQL Level 1), intermediate learners (SQL Level 2), and advanced learners (SQL Level 3). These classes are a great option for those who want to get started learning SQL but who want to avoid taking an intensive SQL class or enrolling in a bootcamp. Noble’s SQL Bootcamp is also part of multiple data-related career-oriented certificate programs, including the Data Analytics Certificate and the Data Science Certificate. Both certificate programs are comprehensive and are intended to provide students with all of the skills they will need to get started as a Data Analyst or Data Scientist upon completion.