DevOps Engineer - Salary, Skills Required & Career Guide
Last Updated :
18 Jun, 2025
DevOps has become an important part of modern IT. It helps businesses increase productivity, improve team collaboration, and ensure faster delivery of high-quality software.
In this article, we will look at how much DevOps Engineers earn, what skills they need, and how to start and grow your career in this field. Whether you are a beginner or planning to switch roles, this guide will give you a clear and simple path forward.
DevOps Engineer Salary Overview
You can definitely earn a great salary, but it also depends on the company and your experience level. To make it clearer, below is the table showing the salary based on the company and how much experience you have.
DevOps Engineer Salary Based on Experience
DevOps salaries vary based on experience, skillset, and industry demand. Below is a breakdown of the average salaries at different experience levels:
| Experience Level | India (₹ LPA) | US (USD/year) |
|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | ₹4 – 6 LPA | $86,000 – $111,000 |
| Mid-Level (3–5 yrs) | ₹7– 15 LPA | $109,000 – $139,000 |
| Senior (5+ yrs) | ₹12 – 25 LPA (up to ₹33 -40 LPA) | $130,000 – $190,000+ |
As seen in the table, experienced DevOps professionals earn significantly higher salaries, reflecting their expertise in automation, cloud platforms, and system reliability.
DevOps Engineer Salary by Company
Salaries can also vary depending on the employer. Here’s a comparison of DevOps salaries at top tech companies:
| Company | USA Salary (USD/year) | India Salary (₹ LPA) |
|---|
| Google | $113k – $159k (base) | ₹12 – ₹45 LPA |
| Amazon | $96k – $160k | ₹9 – ₹15 LPA |
| Microsoft | $105k – $158k | ₹9 – ₹13 LPA |
| Facebook | $128k avg base | ₹13 – ₹16.5 LPA |
| Netflix | $133k avg base + bonus | ₹15 – ₹18 LPA |
Large tech companies tend to offer higher salaries due to their extensive use of cloud computing, automation, and high-scale deployments.
DevOps Engineer Salary by Location
A DevOps Engineer's salary depends largely on where they work. Factors like the cost of living, demand for DevOps skills, and the presence of tech companies play a huge role in salary differences. Here is a look at how salaries vary across different countries:
| Location | Average Salary |
|---|
| USA | $110,000 – $158,000 base |
| Canada | C$93,000 avg (≈ US$70k–110k) |
| UK | £50,000 – £80,000 |
| Germany | €62,000 avg, range €47k–84k |
| India | ₹8.1 LPA avg, range ₹4–14 LPA |
DevOps engineers in the U.S. and Western Europe earn the highest salaries, while salaries in countries like India and Canada are competitive in their respective markets.
What Affects DevOps Salaries by Location?
- Cost of Living: High-cost cities like San Francisco and London pay more.
- Tech Industry Presence: Cities with strong tech ecosystems (Bangalore, Berlin, Silicon Valley) offer higher salaries.
- Experience Level: More experience means higher pay.
- Certifications & Skills: Expertise in AWS, Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD tools can boost salaries.
Essential DevOps Skills for a High-Paying Job
To secure a high-paying DevOps position, professionals must master a diverse range of skills, including:
- Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
- CI/CD Tools: Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab, CI/CD
- Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation
- Containerization & Orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes
- Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell
- Monitoring & Logging: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack
DevOps Certifications That Boost Salaries
Getting certified proves to employers that you have the required skills. The table below highlights some of the most recognized DevOps certifications and how each one can benefit your career:
| Certification | Why It Helps |
|---|
| AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional | Shows strong AWS and automation skills; great for cloud DevOps roles. |
| Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) | Proves container and Kubernetes expertise; widely used in DevOps setups. |
| Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert | Good for Azure DevOps roles; covers pipelines, IaC, and CI/CD. |
| Google Professional DevOps Engineer | Focuses on GCP services and site reliability; high demand in GCP jobs. |
| HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate | Needed for IaC roles; shows strong Terraform automation skills. |
How to Increase Your DevOps Salary
If you want to earn more as a DevOps engineer, focus on these key areas:
1. Gain Cloud Expertise (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Companies are looking for DevOps engineers skilled in cloud platforms. Learning Terraform, CloudFormation, and CI/CD tools can help you land high-paying roles.
The more you automate, the more valuable you become. Infrastructure as Code (IaC), security automation, and Kubernetes expertise can set you apart.
3. Explore Freelancing or Consulting
Freelancers and consultants often make more than full-time employees. With experience, you can charge $100–$300 per hour for specialized DevOps services.
4. Get Certified to Boost Your Value
Certifications like AWS DevOps, CKA, and Terraform Associate not only validate your skills but can also increase your salary by 20-30%.
Career Growth for DevOps Engineers
DevOps engineers can grow into high-paying roles like:
- Senior DevOps Engineer
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
- Cloud Solutions Architect
- DevOps Consultant
- Platform Engineer
Conclusion
DevOps engineers are in high demand, and salaries reflect their critical role in modern software development. Factors such as experience, location, and employer influence earnings, but acquiring the right skills and certifications can significantly boost career prospects.
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