SQL Developer Job Description

SQL Developers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining databases. Not only with SQL Developers need training in SQL and database management systems, but these professionals often work on larger teams and need excellent written and verbal communication skills. SQL Developer is an in-demand profession where one averages upwards of $91,000 a year and those on this career path can find roles in most major industries that collect and store large amounts of data, including technology, finance, retail, education, and healthcare. 

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. 

Job Requirements

SQL Developers should have a background and education and multiple years of experience working with SQL and relational databases. Many employers are looking for a college degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field. Some employers will also accept an equivalent education from a training program. Employers often want this training and education to show that you have learned SQL as well as other applicable programming languages.

Employers often look for prospective SQL Developers to have at least one to two years of professional experience creating or managing databases for another person, organization, or business. You can get this experience by taking other data-related jobs, doing freelance or volunteer SQL work, or taking on more entry-level and junior SQL-related jobs. Some entry-level SQL Developer or Programmer jobs will allow one to learn SQL as part of the job, though these are likely to require that applicants have a bachelor’s degree. 

Certifications are often not required to get a job as an SQL Developer, though some employers see these certifications as an asset. Prospective SQL Developers can look into database development certificates. While Microsoft no longer has SQL-specific certifications, Oracle continues to offer numerous certifications like Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification or Oracle Database PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate. Certifications like these can help not only to show one’s knowledge in specific SQL flavors but they can make applicants stand out to potential employers.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, develop, maintain, and optimize database applications 
• Write, analyze, and optimize SQL queries and scripts to interact with databases
• Model data and analyze complex datasets for trends, patterns, and insights to help drive business decisions
• Be responsible for database backup, updates, migration, and security 
• Create user manuals and documentation of database configuration
• Troubleshoot database issues, test and debug software
• Collaborate with other team members and those in different departments to evaluate data requirements and optimize performance

Skills

SQL Developers will need to be proficient in SQL and relational database management systems. Most SQL Developers will also need to have familiarity with other programming languages, version control systems, and maybe even Business Information software, depending on the needs of the company. In addition to knowing how to use various tools, scripting languages, and systems, SQL Developers need soft skills like problem-solving, attention to detail, teamwork, and strong written and verbal communication skills. 

SQL & Database Management Systems

SQL Developers should be proficient in SQL to query and manage data in large databases. Someone with SQL knowledge should be able to do simple things like data retrieval alongside more complex data transformations and integrations. Some entry-level positions will allow one to learn on the job, though most SQL Developers will be expected to have a good handle on SQL before starting a job. 

SQL Developers should learn relational database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft’s Server SQL, or Oracle’s Database SQL. NoSQL is a popular non-relational database management system that can benefit SQL Developers to learn, as well. Which database management system a business uses will vary. As long as you have familiarity with at least one dialect or flavor, you should be able to learn the syntax differences you will find in additional database management systems. 

Programming Languages 

In addition to SQL, many SQL Developers will need to learn additional programming, scripting, or query languages. It is common for SQL Developers to need to know Python or Java, for instance, or have familiarity with scripting languages like PowerShell. These languages will all have different uses but overall can help SQL Developers to create applications, automate tasks, or perform data analysis. Which other languages to learn will be dependent on the specific needs of a certain business or employer and some can be learned on the job. 

Version Control Systems

SQL Developers often need to know version control systems like Git or Mercurial. One of the main benefits of learning the version control system preferred by one’s company or team members is to enhance collaboration. This will allow multiple team members to work on the same database schema and SQL scripts at the same time. Additionally, version control systems are useful for tracking and maintaining a history of changes that have been made, which can be useful for backup and recovery as well as isolating specific issues or bugs in a database’s scripts. 

Communication & Collaboration 

These are among the most important soft skills that SQL Developers need. SQL Developers often collaborate with Software Developers and Data Analysts as part of a larger team and will need to communicate with others in different departments to answer questions, assess data performance, and implement plans to enhance database performance. In addition, SQL Developers are often required to maintain database documentation or even create user manuals for the company, which will require strong writing skills. 

Why Do Businesses Need SQL Developers?

Any business that creates, stores, and manages data is likely to need an SQL Developer. SQL Developers work in most industries, not only in the technology and financial sectors but also in education, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare. All businesses that have a large amount of data will need someone to organize, query, analyze, and secure that data which is the role of an SQL Developer. Even smaller businesses often need someone with the expertise and experience of an SQL Developer. 

With others within an organization likely to have some knowledge of SQL, SQL Developers have a unique role to play in the design, management, and maintenance of a company’s information and data. SQL Developers are necessary to manage large amounts of data efficiently and securely, to maintain the health and performance of one’s databases, and to enable applications to interact with databases to make it easier to analyze data and create actionable insights. Depending on the industry, SQL Developers might specialize in designing and developing databases for finance and banking, for instance, or manufacturing and sales. 

Where Do SQL Developers Usually Work?

SQL Developers can find themselves working in most industries. Any business handling a large amount of data or making decisions and plans based on data will need an SQL Developer who can create, maintain, and optimize their data storage and management. Many SQL Developers find themselves working in computer systems design, finance, education, and healthcare as these are industries that collect, process, and store large amounts of data and information. 

SQL Developers can also often find themselves working in IT or administrative departments as part of an organization’s larger support staff. If not explicitly designing the underlying architecture for a company’s database, SQL Developers will be in charge of maintenance, security, backup, and optimization for a company’s existing databases. While many large companies have an obvious need for SQL Developers, so do smaller companies, which are more likely to hire SQL Developers to work singularly rather than as part of a large team or to do freelance work for specific data projects and needs. 

SQL Developer Salary and Job Outlook

SQL Developer is an in-demand job as both small and large organizations accumulate data and need to store and maintain it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs in database management and architecture to grow at a rate of 8%, which is faster than the average for all occupations. For those looking to pursue careers in promising data fields becoming an SQL Developer is a great option and can provide the foundation to become a Database Administrator or Database Architect. 

SQL Developers make more than many other occupations and their pay often includes a base salary, benefits, and additional extra pay and bonuses. The average salary for an SQL Developer is $91,650 per year in the United States, not including any bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing endeavors. Entry-level SQL Developers should expect to earn less initially, though those with five or more years of experience can expect to earn more. Additionally, what one earns can be dependent on where one is located and it can be useful to see where those in the United States are getting the highest-paying SQL Developer positions. 

How Long Does it Take to Become an SQL Developer?

It will generally take four to six years to become an SQL Developer. Four years is the standard length of time to complete a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, and upon completion of this degree program, one can look for an entry-level position as a Junior SQL Developer or Programmer. Some entry-level positions will allow you to learn SQL on the job, though most will require employees to already have a functional knowledge of SQL. In addition to education and training, most employers will also look for one to two years (if not more) of experience working with SQL and database management. Someone will often need five to ten years of experience working as an SQL Developer to apply for Senior SQL Developer positions. 

SQL Developer vs. Database Administrator 

SQL Developers and Database Administrators have similar career paths and educational backgrounds, though there are important differences between these two roles in an organization or business. In terms of similarities, both will need to gain expertise in SQL and database management systems and both are concerned with how companies and organizations store their information and data. How they interact with a database and what their daily workload looks like will be the primary differences between these roles. 

While SQL Developers and Database Administrators are both working with databases, each has a unique and different role to play within an organization. Database Administrators are similar to other computer systems and IT administrators, as they are tasked primarily with keeping databases secure and running optimally. By contrast, SQL Developers spend time building and designing databases with the needs of end-users in mind. The day-to-day workload of a Database Administrator will be more support-oriented as they will spend time ensuring the database is secure, backed up, updated, and running as it should. Database Administrators are also more likely to be called in case of any security or performance emergencies, though most will still work regular workdays. 

There can be an overlap between SQL Developers and Database Administrators. Larger companies and organizations are more likely to keep these as distinct roles, whereas smaller ones are more likely to employ an SQL Developer who is tasked with database maintenance alongside their other duties. Some SQL Developers will become Database Administrators after spending time in the developer role, while Database Administrators will need to learn more about programming to become SQL Developers.

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.