Top Cities for SQL Classes & Training

Students interested in learning SQL at a dedicated training facility will find that almost all of their options are located in major metropolitan areas. Since this is also where many of the highest-paying jobs are located, it makes sense that students interested in a career change may want to consider looking at the kinds of cities that offer the most robust training options for aspiring Data Scientists or Software Engineers.

What is SQL?

SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a standard language used to communicate with relational databases. Organizations across industries rely on SQL to access and work with the data contained in their databases. Important business information about products, customers, or orders is just some data an organization may store in a database. Among its many uses, SQL has applications for searching, updating, and maintaining databases. It can also insert or delete records from databases and change the database's actual structure by creating or deleting tables and objects.

SQL operates on local intranet or internet systems and can be used on laptops, PCs, servers, and some mobile devices. Even though SQL is considered to be a relatively simple programming language, it is a powerful tool for helping users retrieve the specific information they need within a large database. Those working with SQL don’t need coding skills and can instead use basic keywords such as “update” or “select” to perform data queries.

Some of the most-used relational database management systems that use SQL are Microsoft SQL Server, Ingres, Access, and Oracle. 

Read more about what SQL is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with SQL Skills?

For anyone who works with data, SQL knowledge is a must. Many fields and disciplines use this language to communicate with relational databases. SQL’s flexibility is designed to help you use statements based on English to query a database in multiple ways. Because SQL is the most-used database language, nearly every organization that has to store relational data relies on SQL, including major corporations such as Amazon, Google, and Uber. In addition, websites such as Facebook use SQL to store back-end data and process data.

SQL has a wide range of built-in functions that are useful for data analytics:

• SQL COUNT can count how many rows are in a table
• SQL MAX provides a way to select the highest value for a given column
• SQL MIN lets users choose the minimum value for a column
• SQL SUM totals the values in a column
• SQL AVG can calculate the average within table columns

In addition, SQL has other useful applications for handling large volumes of data:

• It can add, update, or delete records within a database
• SQL can create new databases
• SQL users can add new tables to an existing database
• SQL can create views or stored procedures in a database
• It can establish permissions on views, tables, and procedures.

New York City

One of the most popular places to live in and visit in the U.S. is New York City. The Big Apple is home to many of the country’s largest companies and organizations, like Deloitte, Bloomberg, American Express, JetBlue Airways, HBO, and W.W. Norton & Company. It’s also the location of some of the world’s most renowned financial institutions, such as Citigroup, The Bank of New York Mellon, and JPMorgan Chase. People flock to NYC because it has something to offer everyone. Some of the country’s most famous landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station, and the Empire State Building, are located in this city. In addition, the New York Stock Exchange and Broadway are also in NYC. For those seeking education, The Big Apple has world-class universities like NYU and Columbia. New York City is also home to Noble Desktop’s training facility. 

One of the main reasons to learn SQL in NYC is the plethora of job opportunities for qualified professionals. The city offers more corporate jobs than any other location in the country. In addition, its growth rate is above the national average. Various resources are available for tech companies in NYC, like 17 incubators that offer low-cost workspaces. Pay rates are good as well for those who work with SQL. Software Engineers in the Big Apple earn approximately $115,000 a year. 

If you want to study SQL, Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool can help you find SQL courses in New York City. Over four dozen classes are available that teach beginner, intermediate, and advanced SQL skills. NYC Career Centers SQL Levels 1, 2, and 3 take learners from the basics of databases up through subquerying and building control structures. Practical Programming’s SQL Bootcamp prepares participants to work with Postgre SQL. For those interested in learning SQL basics, New Horizon’s SQL Querying Fundamentals - Part 1 covers topics like performing conditional searches and working with functions.

Dallas

Another excellent location to study SQL is Dallas. The Dallas metropolitan area remains one of America’s most affordable major cities; the cost of living is 1% over the national average, making it a great option for those interested in living in a big city without the exorbitantly high cost of living that is typically associated with such areas. Another reason Dallas remains a popular place to live and study is its expanding job market. In 2022, 50,000 jobs were listed in the Dallas area. Various Fortune 500 companies call Dallas home, such as Southwest Airlines, ExxonMobil, and AT&T. Because Dallas is considered one of the safest cities in the U.S., it’s a great location to raise a family. The city has great options for healthcare, as well as an abundance of jobs in oil, gas, finance, and manufacturing. For all these reasons and more, Dallas was listed as the tenth-best city for business and careers in 2021. Pay is competitive for software engineering jobs in Dallas; those with SQL training earn a yearly salary of $115,000.

If you live in the Dallas metropolitan area and want to learn SQL, you can select from a range of classes devoted to this programming language. Students can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to search for SQL classes in Dallas. ONLC Training Centers SQL Querying: Fundamentals offers beginner-friendly instruction on the structure of databases, as well as how to query data. Certstaffix Training’s MySQL Workbench: Data Modeling & Development is a hands-on workshop in which students learn how to work with MySQL for data development and modeling. Courses from both ONLC Training and Certstaffix Training are available in the live online format with the option of using the provided computer lab in Dallas.

Phoenix

Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. For outdoor enthusiasts, Phoenix boasts sunny weather and mountainous terrain that is excellent for mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking. This city has over 40,000 acres of mountain and desert preserves, 200 golf courses, and 200 miles of trails, making it a great city for outdoor activities. Those interested in moving to Phoenix also have a range of employment options across industries and sectors. As of 2021, five Fortune 500 companies were located in this city: Magellan Health, Sprouts Farmers Market, Republic Services, Freeport-McMoRan, and Avnet. Job opportunities are also available in Phonenix’s main industries: aerospace and defense, finance and insurance, software and IT, advanced manufacturing, ecommerce, and autonomous and electric vehicles. Software Engineers in Phoenix who wish to find a job using their SQL training earn an average of $110,000 a year.

Learning SQL in the Phoenix metropolitan area is a great first step toward getting a high-paying career in this field. If you’d like to study this language, you can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to find SQL classes in Phoenix. For beginner-level SQL instruction, New Horizons offers SQL Querying Fundamentals - Part 1. Those enrolled learn how to organize and retrieve data, export query results, and perform conditional searches. Interface Technical Training has several SQL class listings as well. Developing SQL Databases in Microsoft SQL Server 2016 is intended for those interested in expanding their knowledge of relational databases and Transact-SQL. Participants receive instruction on how design informs database performance, as well as best practices for creating tables and indexes. Transact-SQL For Developers is also available from Interface Technical Training. This program teaches students to use T-SQL statements inside objects, as well as how to join strategies and write WHERE clauses. 

Boston

Boston, Massachusetts remains one of the most popular cities to travel to and live in the U.S. Those interested in studying SQL will find many learning options in the city known as the “intellectual capital of the world.” Top-tier educational institutions like MIT, Lesley, Harvard, and Tufts are all located in the Boston metropolitan area. Pay rates are high in Boston for those with SQL training; Software Engineers make about $110,000 annually. In addition to excellent study options available at these schools, they also employ most of the city’s workforce. Boston offers residents and tourists an excellent culinary scene, as well as a variety of cultural spots, such as Faneuil Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. For over four decades, Boston has run the Cambridge Arts River Festival. The city is home to more than 16 wetlands and parks, in addition to the first garden cemetery in the U.S. Cambridge was listed as the second-best place to live in the U.S. in a 2022 survey. 

If you’d like to study SQL and live in the Boston metropolitan area, a range of courses are available. Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool can help you find SQL courses in Boston most suited to your learning needs. If you’re new to working with SQL databases, New Horizons offers Introduction to SQL Databases. Participants receive instruction on fundamental SQL concepts like data modeling, normalizing raw data, and evaluating query performance. Certstaffix Training’s Microsoft SQL Server 2012/14/16 Reporting Services (SSRS) provides participants with instruction on how to create reusable report templates and how to incorporate visual elements like images and charts into these reports. Certstaffix’s Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012/14/16 Databases (70-462) is also available. This course is geared toward database professionals and covers topics like how to install SQL Server and configure components, as well as database replication and mirroring. Certsfaffix classes can be completed live online from any location. Participants also have access to a computer lab in Burlington. 

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the nation’s capital and a popular place to study SQL. Home to over 50 historic districts, 70 museums, and 30 national parks, D.C. is a cultural destination and an educational hot spot. Top-tier universities like Georgetown, Howard, and American are located in D.C. This city has excellent public transportation options, world-class dining, and a bike-friendly landscape. Despite the relatively high cost of living, D.C.’s famous attractions and rich cultural history make it an excellent place to live, study, and work. 

The job gain in D.C. in 2022 was 2%, which is slightly lower than the 3.4% national average. For those interested in pursuing a career in D.C., the two largest employers are the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Those with SQL skills interested in pursuing a career in software engineering in D.C. can expect to earn approximately $100,000.

If you’re searching for local SQL training, let Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool help you find SQL classes in Washington, D.C. More than a dozen courses are available from top educators like New Horizons, Certstaffix, and ONLC Training Centers. For beginner-friendly SQL coursework, Softek Services, Inc’s. Introduction to SQL Querying covers a range of SQL topics, such as running simple queries and retrieving data using queries. Softek Services, Inc. also has Advanced SQL Querying. Participants learn how to manipulate table structure and data, use subqueries, and create transactions.

Atlanta

Atlanta is considered one of the cosmopolitan hubs of the southern U.S. The capital of Georgia is a great place to visit or move to because of its mild weather, affordable cost of living, green landscape, and well-kept neighborhoods. With hundreds of acres of parks, like Morningside Nature Preserve and Piedmont Park, nature enthusiasts can enjoy river rafting, hiking, and kayaking. Atlanta also has more than three dozen museums, making it a great cultural location. If you’re interested in learning SQL, Atlanta also boasts excellent schools like Emory University, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University, in addition to many technical schools and colleges. Pay rates in Atlanta are competitive for professionals looking to apply their SQL skills. Software Engineers make $110,000.

A great way to get started on your path toward becoming a Software Engineer is to study SQL. Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool allows you to search for SQL classes in Atlanta to find the coursework most suited to your learning needs. Educators like New Horizons, Certstaffix Training, and Practical Programming each offer SQL instruction in the Atlanta metropolitan area. In addition, Emory Continuing Education also has several course listings. SQL Level 1: Introduction helps students learn core SQL skills, such as working with basic codes and formulas, as well as creating subqueries and tables. By course completion, learners will be able to work with database languages like DB2, MySQL, Acces, and SQL Server. Emory Continuing Education’s SQL Level 2: Intermediate prepares students to work with common table expressions, windowing functions, and conditional sorting and filtering.

Houston

Houston is a great city to visit or to move to pursue a career in SQL. Houston-based Software Engineers with SQL training make an average salary of $105,000. One of the main draws to Houston is its low cost of living, which is 8% less than the national average. Houston is an affordable location for those who want the perks of big city life but don’t want to spend all their earnings on groceries or housing. Another draw of Houston is its diversity. This metropolitan hub currently ranks as the number-one most diverse city in America. Houston has many great dining options, with cuisines from around the globe. In addition, the city has more than 150 museums and cultural locations. If you’re interested in studying SQL, Houston has over three dozen colleges and universities.

If you’re like to learn SQL to prepare for a career, Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool can help you find SQL courses in Houston. Over a dozen classes are currently offered in the greater Houston metropolitan area by educators like NYIM Training, New Horizons, and ONLC Training Centers. Certstaffix Training’s MySQL Workbench: Data Modeling & Development focus on MySQL. Students receive instruction on topics like defining physical schemata, creating an ERD, and reverse engineering a database. Certstaffix Training also offers SQL Querying - Advanced, which prepares participants to write advanced WHERE clauses, as well as advanced joining tables. Certstaffix courses are taught by an expert instructor in the live online environment. Students can complete coursework from their own space or use the provided computer lab in Houston. 

Seattle

Seattle, the “Emerald City,” is a great spot to study computer programming languages like SQL. Top-tier colleges and universities, like Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University, are located in this city, along with more than two dozen other higher educational institutions. For outdoor enthusiasts, Seattle offers a year-round green landscape with excellent biking and hiking options. Seattle residents have access to a variety of world-class coffee establishments, farm-to-table dining options, and dozens of breweries. In addition, the city has no income tax. Overall, Seattle ranks as America’s 36th-best city.

For those who work in tech, Seattle is a great spot to move. Home to some of the world’s largest tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Nintendo, Seattle has become known as one of the country’s tech hubs. This makes it an excellent place to apply your SQL skills in a professional setting. Software Engineers with SQL skills make a competitive salary of $145,000 in this city. Seattle ranks 11th in 2023 for the Best Cities for Jobs. The average salary of a Seattle resident is $75,000, or approximately $20,000 over the national average salary. The unemployment in Seattle is on par with the national average, at 8.7%

If you’re interested in taking the first step in your path toward becoming a Software Engineer, learning SQL is a great starting place. You can search for SQL courses in Seattle using Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. More than a dozen course offerings are available in the Seattle metropolitan area from top educators. Sonic Training SQL Training: Introduction & Intermediate provides students with the training needed to use basic SQL security protocols like restricting access and encrypting data. For those who want to learn SQL as well as other data-related skills, Skillspire’s Deluxe Data Analytics Track provides instruction on a range of data analytics topics. Participants learn to work with Excel, Python, Power BI, and SQL to perform data analysis and visualization tasks. 

Miami

Miami is a lively city known for its vibrant art deco architecture, nightlife, and beautiful beaches. The “Magic City” offers sunny weather year-round, as well as a diverse cultural and culinary scene. Miami has more than two dozen museums and nearly 60 colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools. With a job growth rate of 4.5%, which is 1.5% above the national average, it’s also a great place to study SQL and find a job with your skills. Software Engineers with SQL training who reside in Miami make $110,000 a year. In 2022, 125,000 non-farm jobs were available in the Miami metro area. The residents of Miami have access to ample green space, enjoy world-class entertainment, and pay no income tax. 

For those who want to learn SQL to begin a career in Miami, a range of study options are available from top educational providers like Practical Programming, Certstaffix Training, and ONLC Training Centers. You can find SQL courses in Miami using Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. The Academy’s Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2014 20461D teaches participants how to write Transact-SQL queries. Participants also receive instruction on how to retrieve data from multiple tables, as well as how to add a condition to a query. For those new to working with databases, The Academy’s Introduction to SQL Databases (10985) provides beginner-friendly instruction on topics like data modeling, normalization and denormalization techniques, and the various types of relationships in database design.

Chicago

Chicago, the “Windy City,” remains one of the most popular metropolitan areas in the country. Chicago is known worldwide for its stunning architecture and skyscrapers, as well as its famous museums, such as the Art Institute of Chicago. In addition, this city has over 100 higher learning institutions, which makes it a great location to learn SQL. Those who live in Chicago are known for their midwest hospitality, making the city a warm and inviting place to visit or relocate. Fortune 500 companies, such as Exelon and Boeing, are headquartered in Chicago as well. The Windy City also enjoys an above-average job growth rate, which makes it a good place to pursue a career that uses SQL. Software Engineers interested in using their SQL training in a professional setting earn a competitive salary of $130,000 in Chicago.

If you’re interested in studying SQL to prepare you for a career in Chicago, Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool can help you find the perfect class. You can search for SQL classes in Chicago to find the one most suited to your learning needs. CTS Training’s SQL Queries Intro covers fundamental SQL concepts, like organizing data and working with functions. Certstaffix Training’s MySQL Workbench: Data Modeling & Development is also offered for those interested in learning how to model and develop data using MySQL. Participants receive instruction on topics like defining physical schemata, as well as how to use MySQL Workbench to effectively create and maintain MySQL databases. This course is taught in the live online environment, and those enrolled have the option of using the provided computer lab in Chicago.

Learn SQL Skills Online

If you’d still like to study SQL but don’t live in a major metropolitan area, don’t fret; you can learn SQL in the live online environment from any location. More than four dozen classes are currently available in the live online learning environment. Interested learners can choose to study SQL specifically or learn it alongside other related skills in broader classes that teach data science, data analytics, or web development.

To learn more about live online SQL courses, consider exploring your options with Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool.

Learn SQL Skills with Noble Desktop 

When learning SQL for a career, many people choose instructor-led classes, which provide personalized assistance and in-the-moment feedback on their code. If you’re interested in learning the basics of SQL or receiving more advanced instruction, Noble Desktop has multiple course offerings in SQL. Classes are available in the live-online environment as well as in-person in New York City. 

Those new to using SQL can enroll in Noble’s SQL Level 1, a beginner-friendly class designed to teach students the basics of working with this language. Throughout this instructor-led, one-day course, students build a foundation in SQL by learning about rows, columns, tables, and basic filtering. By course completion, participants will have a solid understanding of database architecture and will be able to write basic SQL queries for Microsoft SQL Server.

If you’re looking to learn more advanced SQL concepts, Noble also offers an SQL Bootcamp led by expert instructors. Those enrolled in this 18-hour course receive hands-on instruction on core SQL skills, such as how to write queries, filter and group data, and combine information from various tables using join statements. Participants in this small class also gain experience working with PostgreSQL as well as the free DBeaver app. All students have the option of a free retake of the course if they wish to brush up on their SQL skills. Prospective students can also learn more about SQL with Noble’s learning resources.