Definition: database administrator

A person responsible for the design and management of an organization's databases as well as the evaluation, selection and implementation of the database management system (DBMS) software. The position is also called a "data architect," "data officer," "database architect," "IT architect" and "information architect."

In most organizations, the database administrator and data administrator are one and the same; however, when the two responsibilities are managed separately, the database administrator's function is more technical (see data administration). See system development life cycle, job descriptions and salary survey.