What they do all day? Companies maintain all kinds of databases -- for customer information, accounts payable, inventory systems, and so on. Database administrators build, manage and maintain them. Their work can range from configuring the database and backing it up, to designing the data model, to administering software such as Oracle or Sybase. And critically, when a database fails or crashes, it's the DBA's job to get it running again.

How to get the job? A bachelor's in computer science or information technology is nice, but experience is the most important qualification -- some DBAs start at a help desk or junior database analyst post before moving up. Getting certified in Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle or another application can be helpful.

What's great? What's not? As businesses collect more data, and the health care industry moves to electronic medical records, there's heavy demand for DBAs. But the work can be repetitive, and at large companies that need 24-hour database coverage, administrators may be required to come in for shifts at odd hours. --K.A.