Database administrators are facing mounting complexity in 2025, as hybrid architectures, multi-environment data systems, and privacy demands reshape their roles. According to SolarWinds’ new State of the DBA Report, released this week, the pressure is taking its toll — with a third of DBAs considering leaving their positions.
The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 IT professionals, including 500 executives and 500 DBAs, highlights a growing disconnect between technical staff and leadership. While 81% of DBAs still manage Oracle and SQL Server environments, most now also oversee diverse data ecosystems that span on-premises (57%), public cloud (31%), and private cloud (12%) deployments.
This complexity is eroding time for strategic work. The average DBA spends 27 out of a 40-hour week on reactive “firefighting” — managing incidents, alerts, and manual maintenance — with 75% reporting alert fatigue. Nearly half of those affected describe the impact as “great” or “severe.”
Kevin Kline, Database Management Systems Expert at SolarWinds, said: “The data in this report outlines a reality in which the DBA role is growing more difficult due to the complexity of enterprise IT architectures, amplified by a persistent gap in viewpoint between DBAs and IT executives. As organisations grow ever more dependent on data and the DBAs who manage that data, it is imperative for us to create a corporate culture that removes complexities and misalignments, setting the stage for true team success.”
Despite the challenges, the report also points to optimism through technology adoption. DBAs using AI-powered tools reported measurable improvements: 62% said AI helped diagnose performance issues faster, 60% saw greater reliability in routine task execution, and 54% reduced time spent on manual processes. Over half (53%) said AI enabled them to focus more on higher-impact work.
However, implementation remains uneven. Many DBAs cite new oversight requirements, poor data quality, and lack of governance as obstacles to effective AI integration. These gaps, SolarWinds said, can limit productivity and reinforce the very inefficiencies AI is meant to solve.
The findings underscore the need for unified toolsets, stronger alignment between DBAs and IT executives, and continuous skills development. SolarWinds suggests that with the right support, DBAs could shift from reactive maintenance to driving innovation and value creation across the enterprise.
The full 2025 State of the DBA Report is available here.
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