DevOps Engineer Salary 2024: How Much Can You Make?

What is a DevOps engineer?

A DevOps engineer is an information technology (IT) professional. They work with software developers, administrators, and other members of an organization to optimize the software development life cycle (SDLC). Primary responsibilities for DevOps engineers may include:

• Overseeing releases of code

• Analyzing data

• Strategizing workflow

• Providing technical support to team members

• Investigating bugs

• Planning fixes and resolutions 

If you are interested in engineering, problem-solving, and project management, a DevOps engineer position could be an excellent fit.

Read more: What does a DevOps Engineer Do? A Career Guide

DevOps engineer job outlook 2024

DevOps engineers belong to the occupational field of computer and information technology. In this industry, jobs are expected to grow 15 percent between 2021 and 2031 [1]. The average growth rate for all occupations is 8 percent, placing computer and information technology careers in the above-average range. As of February 2023, over 4,000 DevOps engineer positions were listed on Glassdoor [2]. 

Average salary for DevOps engineers in the US

The average DevOps engineer base salary in the US is $104,441 per year. Additionally, Glassdoor reports an average supplemental pay of $29,133 annually. Additional pay calculations may include commissions, profit sharing, or bonuses. Combined with the reported supplemental income, the average yearly salary for a DevOps engineer in the US rises to $133,574 total.

DevOps engineer salaries by location: Top 5 highest-paying cities

Career path for DevOps engineers

Many DevOps engineers obtain degrees in computer science or a related field of study. Examples of degrees for aspiring DevOps engineers include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Computer Science. Higher education is an excellent way to prepare for an entry-level role and strengthen your resume.

However, some employers accept related software engineering experience or those with certifications in DevOps engineering instead of a degree. The next few sections outline the career path of a DevOps engineer from an entry-level to a senior role.

*The following US salaries are sourced from Glassdoor (February 2023). 

Entry-level DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The average annual salary for someone with 0-1 year of experience as a DevOps engineer is $94,049. Combined with the reported additional pay, the average annual compensation rises to $117,217. Qualifications for entry-level DevOps engineers may include:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field or demonstrated technical ability

• Understanding of Agile principles, object-oriented programming, and cloud computing concepts

• Knowledge of software development and networking principles

• Workplace skills (also known as non-technical skills or soft skills) like written and verbal communication.

If you don’t yet qualify for an entry-level position, try not to feel discouraged. Consider building upon your skill set while earning a certificate to enhance your resume. For example, you can learn from an industry leader with IBM’s DevOps, Cloud, and Agile Foundations specialization.

Mid-level DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The average annual salary for someone with 1-3 years of experience as a DevOps engineer is $97,908. Combined with the reported additional pay, the average annual compensation rises to $123,293. Qualifications for mid-level DevOps engineers may include:

• Strong background in containerization

• Familiarity with essential DevOps tools and frameworks such as Kubernetes, Git, Docker, Bamboo, and Ansible

• Understanding of computer systems, data structures, and scripting 

You can enhance your mid-level DevOps skills and demonstrate your tool-specific abilities to potential employers by taking a self-paced online course like DevOps on Amazon Web Services. This option is especially beneficial for those who want to pursue a cloud engineer specialization.

Senior DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The average base salary for someone with 4-6 years of experience as a DevOps engineer is $106,638. Combined with the reported additional pay, the average annual compensation rises to $135,531. Qualifications for senior DevOps engineers may include:

• Experience with infrastructure orchestration

• Expert knowledge of the DevOps lifecycle and Agile principles

• Deep understanding of Git workflows and cybersecurity 

Read more: 5 Popular DevOps Certifications

How to obtain a competitive DevOps engineer salary

DevOps engineer salaries vary based on location, but many software development positions are fully remote. Consider expanding the scope of your search to encompass both in-person and remote opportunities. Staying current on industry trends and technologies may also strengthen your candidacy for a DevOps engineer role. Social media pages, YouTube channels, and blogs can be exceptional resources for job seekers. For example, you can register to join the DevOps Slack community, where over 20,000 DevOps professionals share insights.

Professional Certificates and portfolios

When seeking a new position, it’s crucial to demonstrate the value of your skill set to potential employers. But showcasing your abilities can be challenging when you don’t yet have any work experience. You can enhance your resume and obtain the compensation you deserve with Professional Certificates in relevant fields of expertise. For example, someone eager to build upon their DevOps-centric leadership skills might consider becoming certified in DevOps Culture and Mindset from the University of California, Davis.

Enhance your career with Coursera

Gain more of the skills you need to obtain a high-paying DevOps engineer salary with a self-paced online course like IBM’s Introduction to DevOps.