NJ Civil Service Navigator

DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR 1

Code: 53160 State Competitive Range: P26 (FY2026)

Career Family: DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

Salary: $80,755.57 - $118,678.05/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

Database Administrator 1 is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.

It is the lowest-paid of the 2 Database Administrator grades, a step below Database Administrator 2, whose band tops out about $17,927 higher. You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $80,756 to $118,678, and state payroll currently lists 8 people in the title, led by Law and Public Safety.

How to get hired

  1. Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Database Administrator 1 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
  2. Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
  3. Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
  4. When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.

Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.

Pay ladder: Database Administrator series

  1. Database Administrator 1 — $80,756 – $118,678 (this title)
  2. Database Administrator 2 — $92,711 – $136,605

Promoting to Database Administrator 2 raises the top of the band by about $17,927. Its top salary lands around the 61st percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.

Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.

Who employs this title

State payroll records show 8 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $111,094. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Law and Public Safety (2)
  • Office of Information Technology (2)
  • Treasury (1)
  • Human Services (1)

Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.

Definition

Under limited supervision of a Database Administrator 2 or other supervisory officer within an Information Technology unit of a State Department or Agency, serves as a technical database administrator; manages various strategic processes of physical databases; implements and manages database management system software and hardware; performs other related duties as required. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Database Administrator classification is distinguished from the Database Analyst classification by its extensive knowledge, experience, and primary responsibility for managing complex Database Management Systems, which includes the monitoring, administration, security, and maintenance of databases.

Examples of work

Serves as a technical database administrator. Manages various strategic processes of physical databases and management system software and hardware. Implements and Installs database and data management software. Ensures a working interface and effective performance between applications software, systems software, and installed hardware. Monitors, identifies, diagnoses, and debugs interface and database system software problems. Develops standards, documentation, security, and authorization procedures. Coordinates with personnel to ensure availability of the database management system. Establishes interfaces with other information technology platforms for the sharing presentation of data. Establishes backup and recovery or replication plans to minimize data loss and system downtime. Codes, tests, and implements specialized routines for loading, accessing, updating, and retrieving modules or programs for database/data dictionary structure. Monitors and troubleshoots databases for potential or existing performance or security issues and capacity requirements, and makes any required modifications or adjustments. Develops, implements, and maintains change control and testing processes for modification to databases. Participates in initiatives such as the migration of data between systems, creation of interfaces between systems, development of new applications, and normalization of existing databases to minimize data redundancies. Serves as a resource to networking and programming staff in the design, development, testing, and implementation of information systems using database technology. May assist in developing conversion plans and conducting parallel testing. Performs database systems studies, hardware capacity analysis, and hardware and software projections to ensure adequate machine resources for projected workloads. Meets with end users to determining database requirements. May coordinate database administration to project teams. May administer technologies related to database administration. May act as the lead administrator in smaller organizations or agencies. Prepares clear, accurate, and informative statistical and narrative reports containing findings, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations; Prepares correspondence. Maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the principles and practices of designing, developing, implementing, maintaining, evaluation, and controlling database management systems. Knowledge of database management systems software, operating systems, and hardware configurations and tools. Knowledge of the concepts, methods, and techniques of data planning, modeling, and design. Knowledge of the concepts, methods, and techniques of information system life cycles methodologies, including the integration of application systems in a shared data environment. Knowledge of database management, design, query languages, and internal security mechanisms. Knowledge of diagnostic and performance tools and other software products used to maintain established standards for database management systems. Ability to create a data model based on business requirements, and to create and implement and efficient database design from application specifications. Ability to develop complex queries and create reports based on user needs and requirements. Ability to predict growth based on application and data usage patterns, and implement to necessary database changes to accommodate the growth. Ability to develop effective plans for database development and maintenance based on user requirements and requests. Ability to apply data resource management and system analysis principles to the data planning, modeling, and design process. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience in the administration of databases including design, development, performance, evaluation, modification, security, backup, version control, and integrity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree in database administration, computer science, information technology, or management information systems from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in any one or combination of the following degrees: database administration, computer science, information technology, or management information systems; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree in database administration, computer science, information technology, or management information systems plus a master's degree in any one or combination of the following areas: database administration, computer science, information technology, or management information systems; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of an associate's degree in database administration, computer science, information technology, or management information systems; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.