Where there are companies, there are massive amounts of data. This data needs to be properly stored, transferred, altered, and safeguarded. Further, these systems need to be regularly tested and updated to ensure maximum efficiency and security.
SQL developers create and maintain the databases that this data exists in. They are responsible for the creation, management, architecture, and troubleshooting of these systems. They take further steps to secure these databases and perform regular audits and tests on the systems to verify the functionality and safety of the data within.
These experts should be well versed in data management, programming, scripting, software engineering, general data architecture, and software optimization and security practices. Additionally, being able to work as a team with other developers, project managers, and stakeholders is a plus. Being familiar with SQL fundamentals and T-SQL, database modeling, and web development is a must.
Sample job description
Average salary and compensation
The average salary for an SQL developer is $82,500 per year in the United States, with a potential cash bonus per year. Salary may depend on the level of experience, education, and geographical location.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $86,850 | $106,150 |
| Los Angeles, California | $98,000 | $119,800 |
| Denver, Colorado | $81,650 | $99,850 |
| Washington, DC | $99,450 | $121,600 |
| Miami, Florida | $81,300 | $99,350 |
| Orlando, Florida | $74,950 | $91,650 |
| Tampa, Florida | $75,750 | $92,550 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $79,450 | $97,100 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $91,300 | $111,600 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $98,750 | $120,650 |
| Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota | $78,700 | $96,150 |
| New York City, New York | $103,950 | $127,050 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $84,600 | $103,450 |
| Dallas, Texas | $82,400 | $100,700 |
| Houston, Texas | $82,000 | $100,200 |
| Seattle, Washington | $95,000 | $116,150 |
| National Average | $74,250 | $90,750 |
Sample interview questions
- Can you name and explain the different subsets of SQL?
- What is DBMS? What are the different types?
- Can you explain what a table and field are within SQL?
- What are joins?
- What’s a CHAR data type, what about a VARCHAR?
- What’s the difference between clustered and non-clustered indexes?
- What are constraints?
- Can you explain a primary key, unique key, and foreign key?
- Can you briefly describe entities and relationships?
- What’s the difference between Drop and Truncate?
- What does “trigger” mean within the framework of SQL?
- In what ways can a Dynamic SQL be executed?
- What are the various levels of constraints?
- Would you consider yourself a team player?
- What was your most frustrating project? How did you complete it and what was learned?
