DevOps is a software development strategy that has been getting much attention over the past several years. DevOps combines development (Dev) and operations (Ops), which integrates and automates the processes between software developers and IT groups. The idea is to improve and shorten the development life cycle.
Naturally, DevOps requires DevOps engineers to facilitate the process, and that’s what we’re here to discuss, particularly focusing on DevOps engineer salary information. This article details various DevOps salary situations, discusses extras such as career paths and requirements, and shares a way for you to upskill to become a certified DevOps engineer.
But before we explore what factors affect DevOps engineer salaries and things like DevOps skills, let’s discuss the DevOps engineer role.
What Does a DevOps Engineer Do?
DevOps engineers are information technology (IT) professionals who work with software developers, administrators, and other organization members to get the most advantages out of the software development life cycle (called SDLC, for short). Chief responsibilities for DevOps engineers typically include:
- Analyzing data
- Overseeing code releases
- Providing technical support for team members
- Strategizing workflow
- Investigating errors and bugs
- Implementing fixes and resolutions
In summary, a DevOps engineer helps DevOps professionals by implementing DevOps tools, processes, and methodologies to balance every need encountered in the software development life cycle, from coding and deployment to maintenance and updates.
So, what are the requirements for someone whose job is developing DevOps practices?
Also Read: DevOps Tutorial: How to Install Docker on Ubuntu?
Becoming a DevOps Engineer: What Does it Take?
Although there is no single accepted way to become a DevOps engineer, there are specific skills and traits that every DevOps engineer should possess to one extent or another.
- Proficiency with Git and GitHub workflows
- Strong working knowledge of Linux and an understanding of other languages such as Pearl, Ruby, or Python because, yes, sometimes DevOps engineers need to code
- Working knowledge of databases and SQL
- A problem-solving attitude
- Knowledge of IT systems and production environments
- Data management experience and project management skills
- Collaborative team spirit
So, DevOps engineers are typically interested in problem-solving, engineering, and project management. Now, let’s look at the DevOps engineer salaries, including the average DevOps engineer salary based on assorted factors.
DevOps Salary Based on Company, Geography, and Experience
There are many factors and qualifications that make up typical DevOps engineer salaries. First, look up DevOps engineer salaries on a handful of job-finding sites. You will see a variety of DevOps engineer salary ranges because they base their data on different sources and employee input.
However, most of these ranges come out close to the same neighborhood. However, salaries can vary depending on how much experience the applicant has, the job’s location, overall demand, and even the current state of the economy. And, of course, it changes according to the actual DevOps position; an entry-level DevOps engineer’s salary will be considerably lower than a senior DevOps engineer’s salary.
According to the Glassdoor.com job website, the average DevOps salary in the United States is $134,275 annually. The reported range for this position is $86,000 at the low end and $214,000 at the high end, with the most likely range falling between $106,000 and $173,000.
But remember, the above figures are averages. Let’s look at breakdowns based on various factors.
For instance, here’s how Glassdoor breaks down average DevOps salaries based on candidate experience:
- 0-1 years (entry-level): $119,384 per year
- 1-3 years: $126,245 per year
- 4-6 years: $138,704 per year
- 7-9 years: $148,427 per year
- 10-14 years: $158,736 per year
- Over 15 years: $170,456 per year
As we’ve already mentioned, geography factors into salaries as well. Here are the top ten best-paying cities for DevOps engineers, as reported by the Ziprecruiter.com job site.
- Sunnyvale, CA: $162,263 per year
- Livermore, CA: $160,340 per year
- Jewett, TX: $158,320 per year
- Vacaville, CA: $156,007 per year
- Cambridge, MA: $153,606 per year
- Santa Rosa, CA: $151,790 per year
- Long Beach, CA: $150,262 per year
- Costa Mesa, CA: $150,020 per year
- Fairfield, CA: $149,868 per year
- New York City, NY: $149,652 per year
Here are the top ten companies that offer the best average base salary for DevOps engineers:
- Google: $200,322 per year
- Apple: $193,560 per year
- NVIDIA: $191,436 per year
- Adobe: $189,124 per year
- Autodesk: $187,566 per year
- Microsoft: $186,909 per year
- Salesforce: $185,270 per year
- VMware: $184,531 per year
- SAP NS2: $183,306 per year
- Workday: $183,036 per year
Sometimes, you cannot get a position that’s an exact fit. For example, an organization doesn’t need a DevOps engineer but has an open position in a related field. According to Ziprecruiter.com, these are the top-paying positions related to the standard DevOps engineer position and its skill sets.
- Principal DevOps Engineer: $174,965 per year
- Application Operations Engineer: $158,455 per year
- DevOps Architect: $156,634 per year
- DevOps Director: $146,499 per year
- Senior DevOps Engineer: $145,532 per year
Also Read: A DevOps Engineer Job Description for Aspiring Professionals
A Proposed Career Path for DevOps Engineers
DevOps engineers follow a challenging but ultimately rewarding career path. Once you’ve undergone the necessary DevOps training, acquired the right skills, and got your foot in the door as an entry-level DevOps engineer, here is a career path you can follow, including typical requisite experience and DevOps engineer salary ranges presented by Glassdoor.
DevOps Engineer
- Required experience: Two to four years
- Salary range: $106K-$173K
Senior DevOps Engineer
- Required experience: Two to four years
- Salary range: $129K-$212K
Lead DevOps Engineer
- Required experience: Five to seven years
- Salary range: $129-$209K
Principal DevOps Engineer
- Required experience: Over eight years
- Salary range: $151K-$250K
Senior Principal DevOps Engineer
- Required experience: Over eight years
- Salary range: $154K – $255K
Director of DevOps Engineering
- Required experience: Over eight years
- Salary range: $190K – $328K
Vice President of Engineering
- Required experience: Over eight years
- Salary range: $229K – $401K
Senior Vice President of Engineering
- Required experience: Varies, but figure at least ten years
- Salary range: $329K – $590K
Also Read: How to Become a DevOps Engineer: A Complete Guide
What’s the Best Way to Become a DevOps Engineer?
Although there may be many routes you can take to become a DevOps engineer, let’s face it, some are better than others. The following route may give you a better chance of success than most.
- Make a conscious decision to commit. This part may seem like a no-brainer yet think about it. A challenging role like DevOps engineer requires commitment and focus, so you should consider what you’re doing and ensure you want this vocation. In other words, psych yourself out for the road you’re about to take and put your eyes on the prize.
- Get a degree. Although many organizations have loosened their college education requirements, degrees still carry much weight and could be a difference maker when deciding between two candidates. Typical degrees include computer science, mathematics, or electronics engineering, but see that software development figures somewhere. You could even pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science, then follow up with a master’s degree in software development or programming.
- Pursue a DevOps engineer internship. Internships are great ways to gain hands-on experience and sharpen your skills while building potentially valuable connections when you’re looking for a permanent position. DevOps interns are usually responsible for testing applications, conducting technological research, and building software development tools.
Get certification. Certification shows a potential employer you have the skills and training necessary to do the job. In addition, many online DevOps courses are available that will give you the industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to set yourself ahead of the rest of the pack.
- Try coding in your spare time. Practice makes perfect! Consider building a portfolio consisting of your own self-assigned projects. This portfolio shows prospective employers that you know what you’re doing and have familiarity with the industry tools.
- Apply for a DevOps position. Yes, now it’s time to polish up that resume or CV and apply for a position. You may already have some solid leads if you worked as an intern. Time to put yourself out into the workplace and see what happens. However, make sure you have patience and perseverance.
- Join a professional DevOps organization. Sometimes, it’s not what you know; it’s who you know. Professional organizations help you hone your skills, make it easy for you to interact and network with other DevOps professionals, and sometimes even get you some good job leads.
Remember, this path isn’t a magic bullet, but it provides a logical, organized set of steps that could make the process easier and yield good results.
And speaking of earning certifications, check this out.
Would You Like to Raise Your Understanding of DevOps Engineering?
This DevOps bootcamp provides you with a skill set that bridges the gap between software development and operations. In nine months, you will acquire valuable DevOps skills courtesy of over 20 hands-on projects that focus on the principle of continuous deployment and a variety of DevOps tools such as Ansible, Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform.
DevOps continues to be a popular software development method, and the field needs professionals. You could become one of them with the proper training and set of skills. So check out this bootcamp and prepare to embark on an exciting career as a DevOps engineering professional. Even better, prepare to earn an excellent DevOps engineer salary!
