The labor shortages are less serious in major metros, but they can be severe in smaller markets. Companies in Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, and Detroit have posted openings for DBAs without drawing a single response, says Nelson. The competitive market also makes it difficult to retain staff. Turnover rates run 10 to 20 percent. If you train a team of five, expect to lose one to a better offer within the year, says Cederstrom.
High turnover can make it hard for small businesses to maintain a stable, cost-effective department.
The current environment favors large pools of technicians that use ongoing training to keep the experience level high. Relief is forthcoming from at least one direction. Each new wave of software requires fewer administrators. But improved software also means more companies will decide to maintain databases in-house, which in turn will increase the demand for DBAs. The databases that are brought in-house from outsourcers often create additional demand.