Discover the Best SQL Classes in NYC
Anyone who has worked with a relational database like PostgreSQL, Oracle SQL, or MySQL has encountered SQL statements. They are used to communicate with the data contained in these databases. SQL allows data professionals to efficiently query relational databases, a skill set that is not limited to a kind of software or a particular employer or industry.
SQL isn’t only used to connect with relational databases; it also has a range of uses in other data analysis tools and database systems. SQL is supported in many BI tools, data analytics engines, non-relational databases, data storage systems, analytical databases, and data mining tools. A good portion of the software used to analyze vast datasets can be understood with SQL knowledge. In addition, knowledge of fundamental SQL features, such as the way data is structured and how to query it, helps professionals more precisely communicate the insights they find with their colleagues. This language helps them spot any data issues and offer actionable feedback to those who are preparing these data. It’s helpful for individuals who design databases to understand the intended usage patterns and be able to translate them into SQL queries. This provides a full understanding of how SQL will access the database to find data, as well as what the database engine needs to do to respond to the query. These insights are useful for those designing databases because it helps them select the structure that facilitates more efficient and simple queries with applications for common scenarios.
Best SQL Classes & Schools in NYC
If you’re located in the New York City metropolitan area and want to learn SQL, coursework is available from several top educators with locations in the city. The following sections will take a closer look at the in-person SQL courses currently offered in New York City so you can find the best match for your learning needs.
NYC Career Centers - SQL Level 1
Career Centers currently offers SQL Level 1 for those who are in the New York City area and are interested in studying introductory-level SQL skills. Those enrolled in this live online class receive instruction on working with rows, columns, and tables in databases. Learners create SQL queries to extract data for analysis. An expert instructor with real-world SQL experience guides students through hands-on exercises. Once progressing from SQL basics, those enrolled study SELECT statements to choose which columns to extract from tables. Coursework also focuses on using WHERE, IN, NOT, and AND/OR to filter results and inner JOINs for combining data from different tables. This class teaches learners to write queries for Microsoft SQL Server. The material covered can also be applied to other flavors of SQL, such as Microsoft Access and PostgreSQL, with small changes in syntax.
Tuition for this class is $350, which must be paid upfront. Study can be completed in a single six-hour session. No prerequisites are required for study. Tuition includes the option of a free class retake for up to one year. Setup assistance is included with tuition. All learners receive a verified digital certificate of completion for successfully finishing this class.
Noble Desktop - SQL Server Bootcamp
Noble Desktop’s SQL Server Bootcamp provides learners with a great opportunity to take an in-depth exploration of Microsoft SQL Server. This course combines Noble’s SQL Levels 1, 2, and 3 into one comprehensive program. Participants in this class learn how to retrieve information from databases by writing SQL queries, as well as how to aggregate data, join tables, and filter results. This training helps those enrolled transform the information contained in databases into useful insights. Coursework covers how to group data, combine the information contained in multiple tables with JOIN statements, and execute subqueries. Instruction is also offered on working with stored procedures and functions with parameters. This bootcamp offers hands-on instruction using Microsoft SQL Server and the SQL Server Management Studio app, which is free. The information taught in this class can also be applied to other SQL flavors like MySQL and Microsoft Access with minor differences to syntax.
Tuition for Noble’s SQL Server Bootcamp is $975. Coursework can be completed in three full-day sessions or six sessions that are each three hours long. All learners have the option of a free course retake for up to a year to revisit SQL Server concepts.
NYC Career Centers - SQL Level 2
SQL Level 2 is an intermediate-level SQL course for those in the NYC area. Participants in this hands-on class learn about filtering, grouping, and analyzing the data found in a database. They also receive instruction on using aggregate functions to perform common statistical calculations. Instruction is provided on formatting date and time information, various types of joins, like union and self-join, as well as using CAST to change the data type.
Class is available in one full-day session, as well as in two, three-hour sessions. Tuition costs $350. It is suggested that those who wish to enroll in this class have basic SQL knowledge, such as familiarity with basic querying, working with inner and outer JOINs, and performing filtering using LIKE, WHERE, and wildcards. Students receive setup assistance as part of tuition and can retake this class for free for up to one year. All learners who graduate from this course receive a digital certificate of completion. A recording of each session is available in the student portal for every learner within a business day of the end of the session. Students can access these for up to a month following course completion.
Learning Tree International - Introduction to SQL
Beginner-friendly SQL content is provided by Learning Tree International in its Introduction to SQL course. Instruction is offered on how to use SQL to develop database applications, query databases, and manipulate databases. Learners work with either Microsoft SQL Server or the PostgreSQL database and are encouraged to note deviations from Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle. This hands-on class prepares participants to write SQL code that is based on Wrap in ANSI/SO standards for creating database structures. Students also become familiar with how to update the content in databases using transaction handling and SQL, as well as how to retrieve data from multiple tables using JOINs and filter conditions.
This class costs $1,950. Coursework can be completed in three full-day sessions in Midtown Manhattan. Those enrolled in this class can choose to complete the program on-demand or to take it in the instructor-led environment. All learners have access to a LinkedIn group that provides additional support beyond the classroom. Participants also have access to after-course one-on-one instructor coaching.
Noble Desktop - SQL Bootcamp
SQL Bootcamp, offered by Noble Desktop, is a comprehensive bootcamp designed to prepare participants to work with PostgreSQL. Those enrolled receive hands-on training from industry experts in a range of SQL skills, such as writing SQL queries, aggregating data, joining tables, and filtering results. Instruction is also provided on how to group data and transform raw data into useful insights. Learners also explore advanced SQL techniques, such as how to aggregate functions, write subqueries, and use functions with parameters. The instruction offered in this class focuses on the free DBeaver app and PostgreSQL. Course content can also be applied to other SQL flavors, such as MySQL, with only slight syntax differences.
This bootcamp is available for $975. Tuition includes setup assistance and the option of a free course retake for up to a year. Coursework is open to learners at all levels. It takes 18 hours to complete this course, which is available in Midtown Manhattan as well as in the live online format.
NYIM Training - SQL Level 1
NYIM Training’s SQL Level 1 is intended for those who are getting started using SQL and are new to relational databases. Those enrolled in this introductory-level class study core SQL concepts, such as how to navigate the graphical interface of SQL Server Management Studio, Microsoft’s free database app. Instruction is provided on using primary SQL clauses like SELECT and FROM, in addition to filtering results with WHERE, IN, AND/OR, and NOT. Those enrolled learn about wildcard filters, as well as mathematical comparisons like greater than, less than, and equals. Coursework also teaches participants to use JOINs to combine the data from multiple tables.
Tuition for this one-day course is $350. Participants can complete this class in the live online environment on Zoom or study in-person in New York City. No prerequisites are required for study.
Practical Programming - SQL Bootcamp
Practical Programming’s SQL Bootcamp is available for those interested in studying foundational SQL concepts and skills. Participants receive instruction on working with different data types, tables, and queries. After becoming familiar with the basics of table viewing, learners will progress to more advanced querying skills, such as aggregating and filtering. In addition to learning syntax, those enrolled in the SQL Bootcamp will also be able to apply their skills to specific cases and see larger patterns in the data. The last day of coursework focuses on advanced SQL techniques, such as how to work with timestamp functions and create subqueries. Those enrolled in this hands-on course use PostgreSQL, which is an advanced, open-source database management system. The instructions provided in this class can be applied to SQL Server, MySQL, and other database systems with only minor syntax differences, which are explored in class.
Tuition for this bootcamp is $975. This fee is due in full before the start of classes. Coursework takes approximately 18 hours to complete over the course of three days and includes live, project-based SQL training. No prerequisites are listed. A 10% discount is offered for Practical Programming alums who have already completed at least 12 hours of coursework. In addition, for those who are paying for their own tuition rather than being reimbursed by a company, a $100 discount is provided. All learners can have a free course retake for up to a year following the bootcamp. Graduates of this program are given a verified digital completion certificate.
ONLC Training Centers - SQL Querying Fundamentals
SQL Querying Fundamentals is available from ONLC Training Centers. This beginner-friendly course provides instruction on a range of core SQL skills. Students are taught how to connect to the SQL Server database and write a basic query. Instruction is offered on how to add a search condition to a query, as well as how to organize the data yielded from a query before it can be displayed on the screen. Participants in this hands-on class learn how to use functions to make data calculations. By course completion, learners will also be familiar with retrieving the data in multiple tables.
Tuition is $395 for those who enroll early. The cost of study becomes more expensive as the course starting date approaches. This one-day class is available in the live online format, as well as in-person in New York City. No prerequisites are required for study, but participants are expected to have basic computer skills. In addition, familiarity with basic database terminology and structure is helpful.
NYC Industries That Use SQL
Nearly 50 Fortune 500 companies are home in New York City. This metropolitan hub attracts talented individuals from around the world and draws from deep pools of capital. Because of how many New York City industries rely on the data held in relational databases, SQL has many applications for professionals who work in finance, BI development, cybersecurity, and marketing in NYC. The following sections will take a closer look at how SQL is used in these industries and how it helps professionals perform various types of data tasks.
Finance
One of the largest industries in New York City is finance. The Big Apple is considered the most diverse, sophisticated financial hub around the globe. Over 60% of NYC’s private sector wages come from the finance and insurance industry. Financial institutions in NYC rely on highly secured databases for data storage. This helps protect the information and ensures that it can be quickly retrieved when it is needed. Financial professionals in NYC work with SQL queries to retrieve data from relational databases. After the information has been analyzed, it is then used to help decision-makers formulate data-backed financial decisions.
Professionals like Financial Analysts work with SQL to identify the patterns or trends contained in historic data that pertain to sales or revenue. SQL also allows them to learn more about essential financial KPIs, such as expense or net revenue. Financial Analysts with SQL training can use this language to create reports that describe how their institution is performing financially based on its data. It also has applications to locate insights into market trends, assets, and liabilities, which can be used to assess a portfolio’s risk. Within finance, other professionals also work with SQL. Risk management professionals use this language to ensure that financial reports adhere to regulatory compliance. Financial institutions then draw from this information to ensure their reports comply with these requirements and do not contain errors.
BI Development
Business Intelligence (BI) Developers who work in New York City gather, organize, and maintain a range of business interfaces, like dashboards, data querying tools, data visualizations, and reports. They also work with data warehousing and data transformation. Those who work in BI development must be able to explain technical concepts by avoiding jargon and present this information such that it can be understood by various team members in an organization, some of whom do not have technical backgrounds. BI Developers seek quantifiable solutions to crucial business decisions. To find appropriate solutions to business problems, they draw from data of various kinds, such as recently generated data and historical data from data warehouses. BI Developers who work with SQL Server often use other tools as well, such as SSIS, SSAS, Microsoft Power Bi, and SharePoint, in addition to querying languages like MDX and DAX. These professionals often apply their skills to design online analytical processes for relational databases.
Cybersecurity
New York City is considered a global cybersecurity hub. In the city, this industry accounts for thousands of jobs, creates billions of dollars in output, and inspires investors to take an interest in innovative ventures. The ever-expanding cyber ecosystem in The Big Apple attracts entrepreneurs and investors interested in preventing and preparing for cyberattacks. In 2021 alone, NYC saw $17 billion in cybersecurity funding and employed an estimated 60,000 professionals in cybersecurity, many of whom work in the city’s vibrant startup community of more than 25,000 tech startups.
SQL is a popular tool for cybersecurity because it’s one of the most widely used and effective database languages for ensuring security. It would be virtually impossible to arm a database from cyberattacks if it weren’t for SQL. For this reason, most cybersecurity professionals regularly work with SQL. Both Hackers and Ethical Hackers use this language to determine what data should be exported from a database. SQL also has applications for detecting cybersecurity threats. It offers insights into network traffic, which helps cybersecurity professionals notice potential threats. Querying log data makes it possible to pinpoint potentially problematic activity patterns. This language is also used to investigate a range of security threats to provide a more robust understanding of their potential threat and scope. Data vulnerabilities can also be monitored with SQL, which helps those who work in cybersecurity to establish remediation efforts and prioritize them. In addition, SQL has applications for examining malware behavior and monitoring compliance with security policy regulations.
Marketing
New York City is home to hundreds of marketing and digital marketing agencies. Those who work in marketing use SQL for many tasks. This language is useful for studying customer segmentation and behavior based on factors like website activity, demographics, and purchasing behavior. This information helps Marketers more effectively identify and target customers with their marketing messages. SQL also has applications for evaluating the success of a marketing campaign and monitoring KPIs like click-through and conversion rates. Marketers work with SQL to conduct A/B testing on marketing campaigns by providing them with a way to divide audience members into different groups to test different campaign iterations to see which one is expected to perform the best.
Marketing Analysts employ SQL to monitor and evaluate marketing channels. It offers a deeper understanding of various types of user information, which helps these professionals establish metrics like cost per acquisition or customer lifetime value. Additionally, SQL is a useful language for extracting detailed user data from a company’s database. Sales Analysts work with SQL to examine sales data to spot emerging trends that can help them create better sales strategies to attract new customers.
SQL Jobs & Salaries in NYC
New York City is rapidly becoming one of the largest tech hubs in the world. In 2022, the city had over 10,000 tech firms, a number that’s likely to continue to grow as more organizations see the value in gathering and analyzing data. Tech professionals, as well as others employed in NYC in fields like finance, journalism, and data science, rely on SQL to perform many everyday work tasks. The following sections will briefly examine how professionals in New York City use SQL and how pay rates in this city compare to those in other parts of the country.
Financial Analysis
New York City is home to many world-renowned financial institutions. Financial service companies like Morgan Stanley, American Express, Nasdaq, and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners are all located in NYC. For this reason, the field of financial analysis is one of the city’s largest employers. Financial analysis is the process of using raw financial or business data to gather insights into how a company or individual has been and is currently performing financially. Analyzing financial data is commonly used to inform investment decisions, such as which stocks to invest in or if an individual should be eligible for a loan. Financial Analysts work with the financial data they collect to determine which financial decisions their organization can make to reduce risk and ensure the greatest financial gains.
SQL helps Financial Analysts communicate with relational databases. These professionals can also use this language to create their own database containing financial data. Doing so allows them to organize data such that it can be easily accessed and managed with queries as it continues to grow. Eventually, the data contained in these financial databases can be analyzed to yield predictions about the current and expected health of a financial institution. SQL helps Financial Analysts do more than communicate with relational databases; it also helps them acquire other advanced programming languages, like Python or R. These languages are often used alongside SQL database management systems for accessing data science libraries focused on numerical and financial data.
The average pay rate for Financial Analysts in the US is $75,000. These professionals earn slightly more in New York City and are paid a yearly salary of $80,000.
SQL Server Development
SQL Server Developers in New York City are involved with creating, developing, and overseeing SQL databases. Their professional responsibilities involve managing databases and focusing on any arising SQL queries. Server Developers generally have advanced SQL training and skills. Their training with this language ensures they can help their organization easily organize, store, and access any necessary data. The insights contained in this stored information help their organization make more informed business decisions.
The average salary of an SQL Developer in the US is currently $95,000. SQL Developers living in New York City earn an average salary of over $105,000.
Software Engineering
SQL skills play an integral role in the field of software engineering. Software Engineers design computer programs and apps that can perform a range of tasks on laptops, smartphones, or other computing devices. These professionals rely on SQL for creating these data-driven applications. SQL allows Software Engineers to easily and quickly connect with relational databases for data retrieval. Whereas other programming languages require an advanced understanding of different codes and steps needed to complete a project, SQL is considered easier to learn since it draws from a straightforward language structure based on declarative statements in English instead of letters, codes, and numbers that can be challenging to translate. Working with SQL allows Software Engineers to create and manage database systems without writing huge volumes of code.
Software Engineers who have a background working with SQL often earn a higher salary than those who lack this training. Pay rates vary depending on location but are typically high in most cities in the US. The average salary for US-based Software Engineers is nearly $110,000. Those who work in the NYC metropolitan area earn closer to $120,000.
Journalism
Journalists gather information, perform investigations, write stories, and distribute the pieces they create to a larger public audience. Although SQL isn’t a requirement for all Journalists, those who know this programming language are currently in-demand because they can perform faster and more accurate data organization, filtering, and analysis. Some of the largest journalistic organizations worldwide, like the National Union of Journalists, use SQL to explore databases and often host events on leveraging SQL. Because of how popular SQL is becoming in the field of journalism, this language was named one of the “nine essential tools” in data journalism by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
The average pay rate for a Journalist in the US is $70,000. New York City-based Journalists earn a slightly higher pay rate of $75,000.
Data Science
Data Scientists are tasked with managing large datasets. They study the data contained in these datasets to spot significant patterns or trends that could indicate more meaningful data insights. Data Scientists are typically well-versed in data analysis and use this training in various industries, such as social science, technology, or business. These professionals draw from several skill sets when working with data, such as machine learning, programming languages like Python, R, and SQL, and Microsoft Excel. SQL is especially useful because it helps them work with the structured data contained in relational databases. Without SQL, they would have no way to query these databases or retrieve the information essential for analysis.
Data Scientists are paid well across the US. The average salary for these professionals is more than $125,000. Those who are employed in data science in New York City earn over $130,000 a year.
Quality Assurance Testing
Quality Assurance Testers are responsible for reviewing new software products to spot any potential issues or defects. They work with gaming systems, web apps, and mobile apps to ensure they run as smoothly as possible. Their professional responsibilities entail performing test scripts, studying and analyzing system specifications, evaluating results, and performing comprehensive reporting and documenting. SQL queries help Quality Assurance Testers retrieve any necessary data pertaining to sales for a specific quarter and compare this information to that which is displayed on the application’s interface. This comparison helps Quality Assurance Testers ensure the data is accurate and is displayed clearly. SQL provides an easy way for them to count rows and make sure columns are appearing as they should.
In the US, the current average pay for a Quality Assurance Tester is $65,000. Those employed in New York City make a higher pay rate of $75,000 annually.
Database Administration
Database Administrators manage database software. Their professional responsibilities involve ensuring data can be stored, organized, and retrieved as necessary. Database Administrators generally work with a team made up of SQL Developers and draw from SQL skills to complete various tasks. These professionals assess their employer’s security and data management requirements. They create processes for improving how data is secured within the SQL Server database and how it can be accessed. Those employed as SQL Server Database Administrators work with SQL queries to perform system backups, replicate data, and execute audits that help ensure SQL databases remain stable, are easy to access, and keep the data they contain secure.
The average pay rate in the US for a Database Administrator is $85,000 a year. Those who live and work in New York City earn closer to $95,000 annually.