Relational databases are one of those technologies where enough people can skate by enough of the time with just some very basic skills. And the skill curve in relational databases isn't offset by experience in other domains.

There's a number of technologies like this. They grow an air of mystery and impenetrability. Often unjustifiably so; many people would succeed just fine if they would go in unassuming and expecting to learn. It's why my interns can master things in a summer that some of my full-time people have been half-assing for years.