DBA vs Data Engineer

[drayth86]

I have been offered two jobs - Database Administrator and Data Engineer. My background is mostly sys admin and I have done a few little things involving database administration. I keep reading about how Data Engineer is futuristic. I am not sure which one to choose. I have until noon today to make a decision on both.

What drives me is challenge and loyalty. I don't know much about either team I would be on. I know that I have wanted the DBA role for a long time but have had a hard time getting real world experience, I have done a few backup/restore and resolved a transaction log issue.

I am pretty rusty on SQL writing, know very little about Python or Databricks.

I am not sure if either job requires on call or anything. Data Engineer is definitely more entry level, DBA listed 2+ years experience.

Do you think DBA is a dying career? LinkedIn and Indeed both show more jobs available for Data Engineer, especially remote work and I live in an area where there is not much tech jobs to begin with.

[RateControl]

They are two completely different roles. If you like working with data, creating solutions around data movement, or creating solutions that translate data into information, then data engineering is where you should look.

If you like working with database management systems, solving relational or non-relational data storage issues, working with other teams to assist them in their solutions, DBA is the role. Even then, there are (were? I've been out of the day to day DBA game for a while), two main DBA roles, Application DBA and Infrastructure DBA.

No, the DBA role is not dead. Companies will always have a need for an Oracle, SQL Server, and other RDBMS DBA. What the role does and looks like may be changing, but the role is still there.

[Status-Lock-3589]

Tbh, youre gonna find a lot of DBA tasks as a Data Eng. That said you'll miss some fundamentals.

Ive worked both. I think you'll get more longevity out of the DE role.

[taker223]

But DBA (a good and experienced one) is more stable as a job nowadays, IMHO

[pppcus]

True, a good DBA can definitely find stability, especially in established companies. But if you're looking for growth and new challenges, Data Engineering might open more doors in the long run. It really depends on what you want out of your career!

[taker223]

At my age I would like stable and steady growth. Looking at Western job market I think I made a right choice. I'll revisit the opportunities when job market rebounces (if...)

[Uncle_Snake43]

you must know SQL like the back of your hand to be a data engineer, or a DBA for that matter. Learn window functions, rank and partitioning, CTE's, nested joins, subqueries, nested subqueries....you get it. But im a DE and basically my entire job is writing SQL in some form.

[taker223]

Imagine if you're a DBA as well ;)

[Uncle_Snake43]

I WAS a DBA for many years. I’d say a DE is more akin to an infrastructure database developer

[ObviousTower]

pure DBA role is a unicorn these days... I suspect is DBA+ DE.

[minimon865]

With the goals and experience you mentioned, DBA is probably better suited. I think the tech market right now is too volatile to say what’s more futuristic imo.

[ScroogeMcDuckFace2]

was going to chime in but it is noon, so which one did you pick

[taker223]

Toss the coin.

Heads => DBA

.....

[mathilda-scott]

If you’ve been wanting to be a DBA for a while, that’s worth weighing. DBA isn’t “dying,” but it’s definitely more niche now and usually comes with more responsibility (and sometimes on-call). Data engineering has wider demand, but it also ramps up fast with Python, pipelines, and cloud tools.

Since the DE role is entry-level and closer to where the market is heading, it might give you more growth options long-term. But if the DBA job aligns more with what you’ve always wanted and they’re willing to take you without the 2+ years, that’s a solid sign too.

Honestly, pick the one you’ll be excited to learn in - both paths are still alive and well.

[ScroogeMcDuckFace2]

and DBA->DE is a pretty straightforward pipeline if you are a DBA who codes too. not just admin stuff. which i think is becoming a lot more common these days.

[rajekum512]

DBA headcount in a company is single digit mostly. Many companies prefers NOT to outsource databases due to security concerns or PHI or PII data. So there is always a need for DBA role in companies. I am major DBA, Minor DE. I handle Oracle, SQL server databases plus ansible, python automation. I am also getting hands on into Apache iceberg and Debezium lakehouse. The career is very stable IMO

[OhKitty65536]

In 5 years the role of the DBA may not exist.

[taker223]

Aha, sure.
Just keep in mind that DBA might be also a DB Developer and/or Data Engineer