The backbone of every data industry or business is the Structured Query Language (SQL).
SQL, an essential part of database management, is concerned with changing, accessing, and manipulating data in its basic form. Because of that, SQL developers are in great demand as organizations need to protect their databases against loss, theft, or illegal access.
These professionals have a hybrid profession as they are also both database engineers and software developers. SQL developers manage databases while ensuring the security and safety of a company’s systems. They also design and build databases and applications.
SQL developers work in multiple settings, including software development firms, online merchants, information technology and consulting firms, recruiting firms, healthcare organizations, data corporations, universities, and banks.
The SQL developer career path is an interesting, challenging, and lucrative type. They can work full-time onsite, remotely, or on a hybrid work schedule. They can also freelance. While most SQL developers may work a 40-hour workweek, their work hours are flexible depending on their work schedules.
Additionally, these professionals work alongside database administrators, other developers, and Data Analysts. They may also work with upper-level management, stakeholders, or clients when carrying out a task.
There are various types of SQL developers, with each position being slightly different based on the software programs they employ. Oracle SQL developers are the most populous.
Oracle SQL Developer Career Path
An Oracle SQL developer works with Oracle software to build applications and manage databases. One of the advantages of working as an Oracle SQL developer is the widespread usage of Oracle and SQL extensions, as well as their popularity in organizations around the world.
Furthermore, Oracle SQL has fewer competing platforms; therefore, the future is expected to rise by 29% between 2018 and 2028 when both database administrator and software development employment are combined.
The duties of an Oracle SQL developer include:
- Reinforcing the security procedures in place to secure a database.
- Create custom and staging tables in the SDP schema and connect them to EBS.
- Collaborate with coworkers to determine the company’s IT requirements.
- Create functions within databases to increase convenience and usability.
- Define payment conditions, payment process profiles, and payment manager configuration.
- Create databases, tables, and other tools to store firm information.
- They also create and code packages, functions, and procedures for use.
- They maintain databases on Linux servers.
- Deploy and test customized ERP systems for customers.
- They analyze network functionality and modify protocols as needed.
- Troubleshoot and solve problems with other team members.
- Update typical OTM packages for inbound/outbound integration.
- Enhance and maintain cybersecurity while increasing system runtime efficiency.
- Participate in testing of individual modules and the entire system following integration.
- Conduct technical design review meetings with system analysts and the QA team.
How to Become an Oracle SQL developer
The minimum educational requirement needed to become an Oracle SQL developer is a bachelor’s degree. A degree in computer science, engineering, information technology, or other related science or technology, and applied science courses. However, some employers accept candidates with an associate’s degree in computers; such candidates must also have a fair amount of IT experience.
Related Article: A deep dive into IT career path
Hiring managers also like to hire candidates with SQL certifications. In addition, it would be in your best interest to have a specific certification, such as the Oracle SQL certification, as that will keep you in the competitive labour market. Examples of other Oracle certifications you can include in your portfolio include the Oracle Certified Associate-Oracle9i Database Administrator (OCA).
You can also complete relevant training, apprenticeship or internship programs to hone your portfolios, as this will count as industry experience.
Certifications Options for Oracle SQL Developer
- Oracle Certified Associate – Oracle9i Database Administrator (OCA)
- Oracle PL/SQL Application Developer – Associate (OCA)
- Certified Implementation Specialist Certification – Oracle B2B Service
- Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer I (OCP)
- Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional
- OCP (Oracle Certified Professional) Certification – Oracle 9i Database Administrator (OCP)
- Oracle Forms Application Developer – Professional (OCP)
Salary Outlook
As of January 2023, the average salary for an Oracle SQL developer was $83,527 per year in the United States. While SQL Developers earn an average of $85,843 annually, according to Indeed.
However, these salary averages vary across cities as location and other factors affect salary pay. Below are the top five highest-paying cities:
- San Francisco, CA – $117,000
- New York – $107,207
- Princeton, NJ – $106,172
- San Jose, CA – $111,000
- Washington, D.C. – $111,000
- Boston, MA – $109,000
Skills Required for an Oracle SQL Developer
Hiring managers expects Oracle SQL Developers to be skilled in designing, building, and managing databases as those are the core functions of their job.
A SQL developer should be familiar with producing SQL statements for stable and dependable performance databases, including having expert knowledge of SQL dialects and tools.
For SQL developers, hiring managers respect that they are conversant with different SQL database management systems and relational databases, such as Oracle Database and MySQL. However, for Oracle SQL developers, only the Oracle Database can suffice for them.
SQL developers should also be able to provide documentation and reports for the databases they’ve planned and built, as well as leverage server analysis services. Databases
As an Oracle PL/SQL developer, you will spend most of your time dealing with SQL and PL/SQL. Therefore, you should also be familiar with any other programming languages, such as Java, PHP, JavaScript, and C++.
SQL developers typically work in teams and are expected to be excellent communicators with the ability to solve problems cooperatively.
Furthermore, to be considered for the Oracle SQL developer job, you must have soft skills that are pleasant to work with. Examples of such soft skills are teamwork and collaborative skills, logical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, time management and accountability skills.
Key skills include but are not limited to
- AJAX
- AWS
- Agile
- Analysis skills
- Communication skills
- HTML
- Data structures
- Coding
- ETL
- Ext JS
- Git
- HTML5
Conclusion
If you are looking for Oracle SQL developer jobs or SQL developer jobs in either a remote or onsite setting, you are one step away from landing that dream job.
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