After years of remaining steady, there has been a notable increase in the proportion of database administrators (DBAs) within IT departments, particularly in small organizations. New data-driven initiatives, including generative AI, omnichannel communication, and real-time analytics, are inspiring enterprises to make their data lakes deeper and deeper, while data security concerns and regulatory requirements intensify. DBAs’ expertise in maintaining and safeguarding sensitive information is paramount.
As shown in Figure 1 from our full report, Database Administration Staffing Ratios, DBAs as a percentage of the IT staff increased from 3.1% in 2023 to 4.5% in 2024, at the median. Although this increase can be partly attributed to the inclusion of very large organizations in our sample, the trend has been steadily rising over the past five years, indicating it is likely to continue.
DBAs are the administration and support personnel responsible for managing, securing, optimizing, and backing up database management systems to support seamless business operations. Their role is indispensable. As mentioned above, small organizations are now leading the way with the highest number of users and applications managed per DBA, highlighting the critical role DBAs play in maintaining and optimizing database systems.
“As organizations accelerate their digital transformation, the role of DBAs has become critical in ensuring data integrity and security,” said Waynelle John, research analyst for Avasant, based in Los Angeles. “The uptick in DBA staffing highlights their pivotal position in supporting digital growth and regulatory compliance.”
Additionally, the shift toward cloud-based solutions and the increasing reliance on business intelligence and analytics further underscore the need for skilled DBAs. By effectively managing complex data environments, DBAs enable organizations to leverage their data for strategic decision-making and operational efficiency, making them a vital component of modern IT departments.
Additionally, the in-house DBA head count may be growing due to technological advancements like NoSQL and distributed databases, generative AI and machine learning, evolving industry-specific needs, remote work, and the explosion of smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT).
However, IT leaders should not blindly increase their DBA staffing. The decision of whether to increase or maintain the current levels for this function is highly dependent on the organization and its industry. For instance, the construction and trade sectors often have high numbers of DBA personnel, indicating a strategic emphasis on robust database management to support their diverse and dynamic operations.
IT executives have an ongoing need to evaluate the adequacy of their database administration staffing in the face of demands for more accessible, flexible, and secure data. The full report helps executives determine whether they are keeping pace with industry standards by providing four benchmarks: DBAs as a percentage of the IT staff, DBAs as a percentage of the Data Center Group, users per DBA, and business applications per DBA. We present benchmarks for small, midsize, large, and very large organizations and examine the influence by sector on these benchmarks. We conclude with best practices for optimizing DBA staffing.
This Research Byte is a brief overview of our report, Database Administration Staffing Ratios. The full report is available at no charge for subscribers, or it may be purchased by non-clients directly from our website. (Click for pricing.)