The world of technology is constantly evolving. We can see rapid changes in tools, platforms, and business needs, not all IT jobs are aging well. While new roles like AI engineers and cloud architects are booming, others are quickly becoming obsolete. In 2025, as automation, artificial intelligence, and modern development practices reshape the IT landscape, certain roles are nearing extinction. We will also discuss which software jobs you should avoid.

If you are planning your career in software development or IT—or even considering a shift in roles—it’s crucial to understand which paths no longer offer the security and growth they once did.

In this blog post, we’ll explore five IT jobs that are dying in 2025, that is which software jobs you should avoid and examine the reasons behind their decline, and suggest alternative, future-ready roles to consider instead.

Why Are IT Jobs Becoming Obsolete?  

The IT industry is experiencing a massive transformation, fueled by innovations in automation, cloud computing, and agile business practices. As the technology landscape continues to evolve, so too does the demand for the skills and roles that drive it. Traditional IT jobs that were once essential are now rapidly becoming outdated—and in some cases, entirely redundant. But why is this happening?

Let’s break down the key forces behind this shift:

1. Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)  

One of the most significant drivers of change is automation. Tasks that once required human input—like routine system checks, data entry, bug detection, or even some aspects of coding—are now being handled more efficiently by machines. Thanks to AI-powered tools and robotic process automation (RPA), companies are streamlining operations, minimizing errors, and reducing the need for manpower in repetitive, rule-based tasks.

For instance, IT support bots can now troubleshoot basic user issues without any human intervention. Similarly, code generation tools powered by AI are assisting developers in writing and optimizing code. This means that roles heavily dependent on manual, repetitive workflows are under threat unless they evolve to embrace automation.

2. Widespread Cloud Adoption  

The migration to cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud has fundamentally changed the way IT infrastructure is managed. Businesses no longer need large in-house teams to maintain physical servers or manage databases manually. Cloud-based infrastructure offers on-demand scalability, automated backups, and centralized monitoring—eliminating many traditional system administration roles.

Instead of maintaining servers in a data center, IT professionals today are expected to architect and manage cloud environments, automate deployments, and ensure high availability—all skills far removed from legacy infrastructure maintenance.

3. Rise of Open-Source and Low-Code/No-Code Tools  

In the past, even simple application development required full-time developers. Today, with the rise of low-code and no-code platforms like OutSystems, Mendix, Bubble, and Web-flow, non-technical users can build web applications and internal tools with minimal programming knowledge. These platforms come equipped with drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built modules, and cloud hosting—all of which reduce the dependency on dedicated front-end or back-end developers for basic tasks.

Additionally, the vast availability of open-source software means businesses can integrate, customize, and deploy advanced solutions without building them from scratch. This reduces the need for entry-level or narrowly specialized coders.

4. The Push for Business Agility and Cross-Functional Teams  

Modern organizations are prioritizing agility and rapid innovation. In this context, cross-functional teams—where individuals are equipped with diverse skill sets—are preferred over siloed departments. Businesses are now looking for professionals who can wear multiple hats: someone who understands development and operations (DevOps), or who can code, test, and manage infrastructure.

As a result, highly specialized roles with narrow scopes are being phased out in favor of hybrid roles that offer more flexibility and value. This shift is not only about efficiency but also about improving collaboration and accelerating product development cycles.

1. System Administrators  

Why This Role Is Dying  

System administrators who exclusively manage legacy infrastructure like mainframes or on-premise servers are quickly being phased out. The rapid migration to cloud computing platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud has drastically reduced the need for on-site server maintenance.

Modern businesses are prioritizing infrastructure-as-code (IaC), cloud automation, and serverless architecture. Legacy system knowledge is valuable in industries like banking and government, but demand is shrinking fast.

Stats & Trends  

• Gartner predicts over 80% of enterprises will shut down their traditional data centers by 2025.

• Over 94% of enterprises already use cloud services.

Career Advice  

Don’t stay stuck in the past. Transition into roles like:

• Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

• DevOps Engineer

• Cloud Security Specialist

Learning cloud platforms, scripting, and automation tools (Terraform, Ansible) will secure your place in the modern IT workforce.

2.  Manual QA Testers  

Why This Role Is Dying  

Manual software testing has been significantly impacted by test automation and CI/CD pipelines. Modern development teams prefer automated testing frameworks that integrate directly with the development cycle, allowing for faster, more reliable releases.

With the growing popularity of Agile and DevOps, testing must be continuous and rapid. Manual testers simply can’t keep up with the speed at which today’s applications are developed and deployed.

Stats & Trends  

• The test automation market is projected to grow to $52 billion by 2027.

• Nearly 75% of organizations use automation for regression testing in DevOps.

Career Advice  

Manual testing isn’t entirely dead, but the future is in automation. Upskill in:

• Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright

• API Testing (Postman, REST Assured)

• CI/CD tools like Jenkins or GitLab CI

Transition to roles like:

• Automation Test Engineer

• SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test)

• QA DevOps Specialist

3. Front-End Web Developers  

Why This Role Is Dying  

Front-end development once relied heavily on hand-coded HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript. Today, platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow have enabled even non-coders to build responsive, professional-grade websites through drag-and-drop interfaces.

Additionally, businesses prefer hiring full-stack developers who can handle both client and server-side logic. Static front-end skills without framework experience are no longer enough.

Stats & Trends  

• By 2026, 65% of web development will be handled through low-code/no-code platforms.

• More than 50% of startups now prefer hiring full-stack engineers.

Career Advice  

Instead of basic HTML/CSS, focus on:

• JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue)

• JAMstack architecture

• APIs and integrations

Roles like Full Stack Developer or Front-End Engineer with React expertise are more marketable and better-paying.

4. Database Administrators  (DBAs)  

Why This Role Is Dying  

Traditional DBAs focused on performance tuning, backups, and on-premise database management are being replaced by cloud-native database services and automated database management tools.

Cloud providers now offer fully managed database solutions (e.g., Amazon RDS, Azure SQL, Firebase) that reduce the need for hands-on database administration.

Stats & Trends  

• The global DBaaS (Database-as-a-Service) market will reach $24.8 billion by 2027.

• Many organizations now use auto-scaling, self-healing database solutions.

Career Advice  

Re-skill to become:

• Data Engineer

• Cloud Database Specialist

• Data Security Analyst

Familiarize yourself with:

• Big Data Tools (Apache Spark, Kafka)

• Cloud Databases (NoSQL, PostgreSQL on cloud)

• Data Lakes and ETL Pipelines

5. IT Support Technicians

Why This Role Is Dying  

AI-powered chatbots, remote access tools, and self-service portals are replacing entry-level IT support roles. Most companies now offer users automated solutions to fix issues like password resets, connectivity problems, or software installations.

In addition, hybrid work models reduce the need for onsite troubleshooting, pushing IT support towards more strategic roles.

Stats & Trends  

• AI-powered support tools will handle 40% of all IT service requests by 2025.

• 60% of companies are investing in virtual support assistants.

Career Advice  

Move beyond repetitive troubleshooting by learning:

• ITIL Framework

• Automation tools (ServiceNow, Freshservice)

• Scripting (PowerShell, Python)

You can grow into roles like:

• IT Analyst

• Cloud Support Specialist

• Endpoint Security Engineer

How to Future-Proof Your IT Career  ?

Now that you’re aware of the outdated roles, the next step is to align your skills with the future of IT. Here’s a clear action plan to make that shift successfully:

1. Embrace Lifelong Learning  

Tech is a moving target. To stay ahead, dedicate time each week to learn:

• Online courses (Udemy, Coursera, Pluralsight)

• Tech newsletters & YouTube channels

• Hands-on projects or certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

2. Get Certified  

Industry-recognized certifications help validate your skills and increase employability. Examples include:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect

• Microsoft Azure Administrator

• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

• Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer

3. Build a Portfolio  

A strong GitHub profile or personal website with projects demonstrates your practical abilities. Showcase real-world examples like:

• Automation scripts

• Web apps

• DevOps pipelines

• Cloud deployments

4. Network with Industry Professionals  

Join developer communities, attend webinars, or participate in hackathons. Platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, and Stack Overflow are great for staying connected.

5. Stay Agile and Adaptable  

The most successful IT professionals are those who embrace change. Learn to pivot quickly, be open to new tools, and stay curious. Agile methodologies are not just for teams—they’re essential for your career, too.

Conclusion: Into the Future  

The IT industry is advancing at breakneck speed. As we progress into 2025 and beyond, roles that were once core to IT operations are losing relevance, not due to lack of importance, but because better, faster, and more cost-effective solutions are now available.

While technology itself is not eliminating jobs, it is changing the nature of those jobs. Professionals who cling to outdated practices risk being left behind, while those who proactively adapt to new tools, methodologies, and expectations will find themselves in high demand.

Understanding the shift from outdated to emerging roles is essential for building a resilient career. If you’re in one of the roles listed above, it’s not too late. With the right learning mindset, adaptability, and willingness to evolve, you can transition smoothly into future-proof roles that offer growth, security, and purpose.

Don’t let your skills fall behind. Embrace the change, upgrade your expertise, and position yourself as a tech professional who’s ready for tomorrow.