I’ve always said that it didn’t matter what the database was. If it could do the job then it’s worth using. I have never worried about whether I had an Oracle database, SQL Server database, or any other platform. If someone wanted to pay me to work on it, then I’d do it.

Someone asked me for some career advice this past week, and I thought that I’d put some out there for SQL Server DBAs that are looking for jobs, looking to grow their career, or make more money. The advice that I came up with was this:

FORGET SQL Server, and learn Oracle

PL/SQL, Oracle 11g, those are the platforms of the future. As I look at some of the numbers, it seems that Oracle is finally turned the corner and is starting to crush SQL Server overall in the US. More units sold, more license revenue, and more importantly.

Higher DBA salaries.

When the product costs more, it’s easy to argue with the HR people and managers that the people administering it should be paid more. And that’s what I find. Consistently there are more jobs listed on the major search engines at higher salaries than for SQL Server. And with Microsoft panicking and releasing a new version of SQL Server every 18 months, Oracle is looking better and better to decision makers.

Finally

This is the most important part of my career advice. Smile, and have fun. This is a complete fabrication, and Happy April Fools day.

I don’t see Oracle as better in the job market, and while it’s true that many Oracle DBAs make more money than SQL Server DBAs, there are more opportunities for SQL Server people. Stick with SQL Server and you’ll be fine.