| Career | Web Developer | Database Administrator | Information Systems Manager |
| Degree Required | Associate's Degree | Bachelor's Degree | Bachelor's Degree |
| Relevant SQL Certification | MTA: Developer | MCSA: Database Administration | MCSE: Database Management and Analytics |
| Key Responsibilities | Write code for websites; assist with website layout; monitor website traffic | Maintain and secure data for an organization; alter database structure when necessary | Oversee network installation and maintenance; analyze company needs and develop strategies to improve performance; plan and implement technological upgrades |
| Job Growth (2020-2030)* | 13% | 8% | 11% |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $77,200 | $98,860 | $151,150 |
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
You can choose a Microsoft SQL Certification based on your previous experience and career objectives. There are several options within each level.
At the lowest level, the MTA: Database credential is for individuals who eventually want to pursue careers in data platform administration of business intelligence. The MTA: Developer designation is for aspiring software or web developers. The MTA: Infrastructure credential provides preparation for individuals who eventually want to advance to jobs in server infrastructure, desktop infrastructure of cloud computing.
The MCSA is for individuals who have developed strong professional skills in information technology, either through direct work experience or postsecondary education. The designation can help you get a mid-level job. If you choose the MCSA: Database Development credential, you could get a job as a database developer, where you would build and implement systems for a variety of organizations. If you would rather work for a single organization as a database administrator or infrastructure specialist, you could get the MCSA: Database Administrator Credential. For those who want to focus their careers on business intelligence development, which would include data modeling and online data processing, the MCSA: Business Intelligence Development designation is available.
At the MCSE level, the Data Management and Analytics designation is the only one that is not on the verge of retirement. This designation is for individuals who have already earned an MCSA designation and want to advance to management positions in the information technology field.
In addition to demonstrating your skills, certification also gives you a number of supplemental benefits. Among these are the use of the Microsoft Server logo, a certification plaque, access to the SQL Server community e-mail list, invitations to continuing education programs and a listing in the Microsoft Certified Master directory.
How Do I Earn the Certification?
To earn a Microsoft SQL certification, you need to pass an exam and/or meet previous experience requirements. You will also need to pay a fee to Microsoft or a third-party test provider.
On the MTA: Database exam, you will be tested on core database concepts, object creation, data manipulation, data administration and data storage. The MTA: Developer exam covers core programming concepts, object-oriented programming, software development, web applications, desktop applications and databases. On the MTA: IT Infrastructure exam, you will be tested on server installation, server roles, Active Directory, data storage, performance management and server maintenance.
The MCSA: Database Development exam tests your ability to query data with Transact-SQL and develop SQL databases. On the MCSA: Database Administration exam, you will be tested on administering an SQL database infrastructure and provisioning SQL databases. The MCSA: Business Intelligence Exam covers the implementation of an SQL data warehouse and the development of SQL data models.
To qualify for the MCSE exam, you need to have previously earned an MCSA: Database Development, Database Administration or Business Intelligence Designation. You will be tested on a wide range of skills, including building organization-level data solutions and using business intelligence data in hardwired and cloud-based environments.
If you don't pass an exam, you can retake it, but you must wait at least 24 hours after failing a test to retake it. There are no limitations on how many times you may retake a certification test, but you must pay a fee each time.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for web developers was $77,200 in 2020. The BLS also reported that the median annual wage for database administrators was $98,860. For computer and information systems managers, it was $151,150.
If you'd like to pursue an entry-level job in information technology that does not require SQL certification, you could consider becoming a computer support specialist, where you would offer assistance and advice to people within a work space who are having complications with software or hardware. Computer support specialists may need a bachelor's degree depending on the extent of their specific field or work environment, but generally, the position only requires an associate's degree or postsecondary classes and certification. If you are willing to pursue a bachelor's degree, you can consider becoming a computer network architect or computer systems analysts. Computer network architects are in charge of creating the hardware used to connect computers within a business amongst each other as well as to the internet. Computer systems analysts do research and run diagnostics on the computers within a business to best assess the needs of those systems.
