4 IT Roles That May Decline in 2025

Remember when everyone thought robots would take over? As it turns out, humans are still needed to manage, build, and service those robots. As technologies like AI, machine learning, and the cloud continue to evolve, roles in the IT world will continue to shift.

According to an August 2024 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics mentioned by TechTarget, the professional and business services sector saw the largest absolute decline, losing 358,000 jobs, which was 1.6% of the previous estimate.

Entry-level roles and those that focus on hardware may become harder to find. But, that doesn't mean the IT world is ending. Rather, it's evolving. We'll look at four roles that are likely to decline in the coming years. We also examine how some of these roles will evolve and the skills you might need to keep up with the changes. 

1. Systems Administrator

System administrators, commonly known as sysadmins, are primarily responsible for the configuration, operation, and maintenance of computer systems. Sysadmins have long been a staple of server rooms, but as IT continues to shift from physical hardware to the cloud, the demand for people to configure and maintain servers will likely decline further. 

As a result, sysadmins need to be mindful that their job description could be changing. Installing a bare metal server in a data center may not be one of their responsibilities. Many tasks they previously performed are handled today using cloud technology and services.

If you're a sysadmin, you definitely need to get up to speed with virtualization and the cloud and DevOps training, as well as consider adopting a DevOps approach. Suppose you were to switch to a DevOps engineer/architect track. In that case, you should be able to back up data and applications in virtual environments and develop application development pipelines for code deployment for cloud resources.

2. Traditional Database Administrator (DBA)

A traditional Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining on-premise databases to ensure their reliability, performance, and security. They handle tasks like backups, performance tuning, disaster recovery, and writing complex queries to support organizational data needs.

With the rise of managed database services like Amazon RDS, Azure SQL, and Google Cloud Spanner, the demand for traditional DBA focusing on managing on-premise databases has decreased. Managed cloud services handle tasks like scaling, backups, and updates, which were once a DBA’s bread and butter.

To stay relevant, traditional DBAs should focus on cloud-native databases, NoSQL databases, and data engineering skills, such as managing data pipelines and optimizing databases for machine learning or analytics.

Keep in mind: while traditional roles like sysadmins and DBAs are declining, hybrid cloud environments still require these professionals to a certain degree.

3. Traditional Network Engineers 

Also known as computer network architects, network engineers work with routers and switches, creating fast and reliable networks for organizations, which include LANs (local area networks) and wide area networks (WANs).

With many organizations moving their systems to the cloud, the need for someone to manage on-prem LANs or WANs is reduced. 

If you're a network engineer, you'll need a comprehensive understanding of network virtualization. You will want to learn to code for software-defined networks (SDNs) to survive and evolve in this industry. Much like a sysadmin, consider a career in DevOps. It may also be useful to lean into security and learn how to identify WLAN threats. 

4. Help Desk Technician

A help desk technician provides technical support to end-users by troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues to ensure smooth IT operations. They also assist with tasks like setting up new devices, resolving login problems, and guiding users through self-service solutions.

Automation and AI-driven tools, such as chatbots and self-service IT support platforms, are reducing the need for entry-level help desk roles. Platforms like ServiceNow and Zendesk are increasingly automating ticket routing and basic troubleshooting.

To adapt, help desk professionals should upskill in IT service management (ITSM) and cybersecurity awareness training or even transition to end-user experience management roles, which focus on proactively improving IT tools for users.

The Future of IT

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are reshaping the IT landscape in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago. These technologies are increasingly taking over repetitive tasks, such as system monitoring, troubleshooting, and even basic coding, which were once the domain of IT professionals.

But that doesn't mean humans won't be needed. For example, while AI tools like GitHub Copilot can assist in coding, human developers still need to validate, debug, and refine code.

While the need for some traditional roles may decline, the technology changes are also creating demand for specialists who can design, manage, and refine these advanced systems. IT professionals who invest in skills like AI integration, machine learning algorithms, and automation frameworks will be well-positioned for the coming years. 

New jobs will surface as technology changes and evolves. With the right training, you can be the IT pro who fulfills new demands in the industry. The key is ongoing learning to help you stay on top of the latest trends and technologies. 

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