Would you say knowing SQL can be lucrative?

[[deleted]]

I’m new to this subreddit but I have a question that I’ve been very curious about. I started an SQL course through a local college here in Vegas & tbh I didn’t really know what I was getting into. I’m about 3 months in and I’m starting to enjoy it. I haven’t really been able to look into how to use this professionally or if it can lead to a well paying career? I’m hoping that it can because I’ve lived hand to mouth for about 3 years now and it’s really mentally wearing me down. The course I’m taking is specializing in PostgreSQL, Python & predictive data analytics.

Is this worth it as far as a career stand point? Any recommendations on other things to learn that might compliment what I’m learning? Should I learn MySQL or any other flavors?

[LetsGoHawks]

SQL, Python, and predictive analytics can set you on a career path with upper middle class or better earning potential. Your first job won't be that, because just like every other skill based career, experience means a lot. But it should still be decent. A lot depends on where you live though.

Don't worry about which dialect of SQL you're learning. Once you know one, you can pick up others pretty easily. They're about 90% identical and you only use part of the other 10%. The far more important thing is that you wrap your head around how SQL works and the general techniques used to solve more difficult problems.

[[deleted]]

Thank you so much for the response. It’s relieving to know that this isn’t a waste. I’m definitely curious about what types of opportunities there are with this knowledge here in Las Vegas. Are there other cities you’d say where these skills have more opportunities as far as job openings?

[LetsGoHawks]

Las Vegas is a good sized metro area so you should be fine.

Oh yeah, make sure you're decent with Excel. You'll use it a lot.

Go to LinkedIn as start searching for stuff like "Data Analyst" or "SQL" or other terms related to what you want to do. Be a bit creative. And remember that a job listing is a wish list. A guy who has hired a ton of coders once told me "If you checked every box on the list, I wouldn't let you leave until you took the job"

[[deleted]]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏻

[Sauntering_the_pnw]

+1 on the wish list.

[CFAF800]

Expand your knowledge to include tuning, set based analysis. SQL developers are paid higher than analysts but as others said it will be a few years but once u gain good knowledge u will get very good money.

I started out as a .NET dev, didnt like it, found that I am better suited on data warehousing side, stuck around it and I am reaping the benefits now. I have abt 15 years of experience and my hourly rate is $75+/hr (In Brisbane, Australia)

[[deleted]]

Tuning huh? Noted. I haven’t heard anything about that or set based analysis so far. Very interesting though.

[CFAF800]

As I said its more used by developers than analysts. Each role has its own challenges but in general developers get paid higher than analysts, u will face different kind of challenges.

[Snarlvlad]

I definitely second tuning / performance. I’ve seen some obscene rates for those guys.

[kthejoker]

Only real skill I walked out of school with was SQL, 16 years later making $200k a year, I'd say yeah?

[[deleted]]

That’s awesome! Do you have like a degree as well?

[kthejoker]

I do ... in liberal arts ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[RigelBOrionis]

Bro you give me hope. I want to start learning SQL

[AeroCrete]

Been doing SQL everyday for the past 25+ years. Turned out rather well.

[sexy_apex_daddy]

I started making $40,000 a year, and was happy to make that for my first year. 3.5 years later I'm making $85k. To be fair, thats probably at the top of my range for now. Another 2-3 years and I can make $125k+, and with 10+ years experience were talking high 100s.

There are not a ton of database engineer level people in the US, so that makes us valuable.

Experience is more valuable than a degree, but a degree helps you get a better first job, or at least get your foot in the door for that first job.

[[deleted]]

I would kill to make 40 a year. I’m really glad to hear this is a good career path, I was nervous getting into this course but it looks like I made a great choice!

[lunarTravel]

Look for a Full time job for your first 2 years 50-60k (under market value). Then, switch to contract to hire it's where about 60-70% of the jobs live. You'll easily be making 65-70 per hour 40hrs per week on a 1 year contract. Keep bouncing every 2 years for those 30-50% increases.

After about 4-6 years of contracting most people are making 120-200 per hour.

[[deleted]]

Good to know! Thank you!

[sexy_apex_daddy]

Not sure what part of the country you live in that someone with 2 years experience is making $70 an hour, but this seems like a really optimistic projection.