NJ Civil Service Navigator

DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR 2

Code: 53161 State Competitive Range: R29 (FY2026)

Career Family: DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

Salary: $92,710.52 - $136,605.11/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

To land Database Administrator 2 in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.

It is the top of the Database Administrator ladder, a grade above Database Administrator 1. A master's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2026 range lands between $92,711 and $136,605, and state payroll currently lists about 12 people in the title, led by Office of Information Technology.

How to get hired

  1. Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Database Administrator 2 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
  2. Database Administrator 2 — $92,711 – $136,605 (this title)

Its top salary lands around the 76th 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 12 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $134,410. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Office of Information Technology (3)
  • Law and Public Safety (2)
  • Children and Families (2)
  • Treasury (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 the general supervision of a supervisory officer within an Information Technology unit of a State Department or Agency, or local jurisdiction, supervises a database administration team; serves as a senior technical database administrator; implements and manages database software and hardware; coordinates database administration projects; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; 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. Database Administrator 2 is distinguished from other Database Administrator titles by the fact that it supervises other functional area staff members as well as performing other related duties.

Examples of work

Supervises a database administration team. Serves as a senior technical database administrator. Leads work initiatives by acting as liaison between network and infrastructure engineers and database developers. Ensures the successful design and implementation of database applications. Identifies work initiatives involved inside and outside of the scope of a particular project. May work independently to provide database administration support to project teams. Monitors, coordinates, and manages the various strategic processes of relational and/or other databases, data storage, or retrieval systems. 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 and 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 modifications to databases. Supervises and 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 resource to networking and programming staff in the design, development, testing, and implementation of information systems using database technology. Participates in the development of conversion plans. Conducts parallel testing to evaluate the performance of database applications and ensure production efficiency. 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 determine database requirements. Prepares clear, accurate, and informative statistical and narrative reports containing findings, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations; prepares correspondence in the course of official duties. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of personnel. 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, evaluating, 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 cycle methodologies, including the integration of application systems in a shared data environment. Knowledge of database management, database design, and internal security mechanisms. Knowledge of database query languages. Knowledge of diagnostic and performance tools and other software products used to maintain established standards for database management systems. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to create a data model based on business requirements, and to create and implement an efficient database design from application specifications. Ability to develop complex queries and create reports based on use, needs and requirements. Ability to predict growth based on application and data usage patterns, and implement the 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 supervise work operations and/or function programs and effectively recommend the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. 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. Eight (8) 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 four (4) 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 three (3) 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 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 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 two (2) years 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 six (6) 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.