The average salary for a DevOps Engineer in the US is $130,000 per year.
DevOps Engineers bridge development and operations by automating infrastructure, improving deployment pipelines, and ensuring system reliability. In the US, this role is highly valued across technology companies, startups, finance, and enterprise organizations. Salaries vary based on cloud expertise, automation skills, and infrastructure responsibility. Professionals who can manage scalable systems and reduce downtime often earn higher compensation.
Salary Statistics: DevOps Engineer (US)
| Salary Type | Annual Pay (USD) |
|---|---|
| Average Salary | $130,000 |
| Median Salary | $125,000 |
| Lowest Salary | $90,000 |
| Highest Salary | $190,000 |
Gender Pay Analysis in DevOps Engineer
Gender pay differences for DevOps Engineers in the US are influenced by experience level, cloud specialization, and leadership responsibilities.
| Gender | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Compared to National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Male | $134,000 | ▲ +3% |
| Female | $126,000 | ▼ −3% |
| Non-binary / Not Disclosed | $130,000 | ▲ +0% |
Compensation differences tend to decrease at senior levels where salary is tied to infrastructure impact and system performance.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-Level
Entry-level DevOps Engineers in the US typically earn around $90,000 per year. These roles focus on supporting CI/CD pipelines, managing basic cloud infrastructure, and automating small processes. Most professionals at this level have 0–2 years of experience. Strong scripting and cloud fundamentals are essential for growth.
Mid-Level
Mid-level DevOps Engineers usually earn between $115,000 and $155,000 per year. At this stage, professionals manage infrastructure as code, oversee deployment pipelines, and optimize system reliability. This level commonly requires 3–6 years of experience. Expertise in containerization and cloud platforms drives salary progression.
Senior Level
Senior DevOps Engineers earn $170,000 or more per year, with top roles reaching $190,000 in large US organizations. These professionals architect scalable systems, lead automation strategies, and manage cross-functional technical teams. Compensation reflects responsibility for high-availability infrastructure.
Certifications for DevOps Engineer
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
- Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
- Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
- Kubernetes Certification (CKA/CKAD)
- Docker Certified Associate
Key Skills That Impact Salary
- CI/CD pipeline management
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)
- Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Automation scripting
- System monitoring and reliability engineering
Best-paying cities for DevOps Engineer in the US
| City | Avg Salary (USD) | Compared to National Salary ($130,000) |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $153,000 | ▲ +18% |
| New York, NY | $143,000 | ▲ +10% |
| Seattle, WA | $139,000 | ▲ +7% |
| Boston, MA | $134,000 | ▲ +3% |
| Austin, TX | $125,000 | ▼ −4% |
| Atlanta, GA | $118,000 | ▼ −9% |
| Dallas, TX | $117,000 | ▼ −10% |
| Remote (US) | $131,000 | ▲ +1% |
| Chicago, IL | $121,000 | ▼ −7% |
How RoboApply Helps Professionals Get High-Paying Jobs
Finding a high-paying role isn’t just about skills — it’s also about applying consistently, at scale, and to the right opportunities. RoboApply helps professionals simplify and speed up the job search process so they can focus on interviews and salary negotiation instead of manual applications.
Apply to Jobs Across Multiple Platforms
RoboApply brings job listings from multiple platforms into one place. This includes roles from major job boards and company career pages, helping you discover opportunities you might otherwise miss, including high-paying and remote positions.
This broad coverage increases your chances of finding roles that match both your experience level and salary expectations.
Save Time with Auto-Apply
Manually applying to jobs is time-consuming and repetitive. RoboApply’s auto-apply feature allows users to apply to many relevant jobs efficiently, helping maintain consistent application activity, which is often necessary in competitive, high-salary job markets.
Improve Resume Relevance with AI Support
Different employers look for different skill combinations. RoboApply helps tailor resumes to better match job descriptions, improving relevance and increasing the likelihood of getting interview callbacks for well-paid roles.
Prepare Better for Interviews
RoboApply also supports interview preparation by helping candidates understand common role-specific questions and expectations. Better preparation leads to stronger interviews and more confidence during compensation discussions.
Track and Optimize Your Job Search
Users can track where they’ve applied and monitor responses over time. This makes it easier to identify which types of roles or platforms generate the best results and adjust the job search strategy accordingly.
Using Salary Data to Negotiate Better Offers
- Research before negotiating
Use location- and experience-based salary data to define a reasonable target range instead of relying on a single national average. - Show measurable impact
Employers pay more when candidates can demonstrate how their automation and infrastructure improvements increased system efficiency. - Look beyond base salary
Compensation often includes bonuses, equity, learning budgets, remote flexibility, and time off, all of which can add meaningful value. - Keep multiple options open
Applying to multiple roles at once creates leverage and helps candidates avoid accepting the first offer below their expectations.
Future Outlook for DevOps Engineer Compensation
Demand for DevOps Engineers continues to grow as companies prioritize automation, cloud scalability, and faster software delivery. Professionals skilled in cloud-native technologies and infrastructure automation are expected to remain highly compensated in the US job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $120,000 a good salary for a DevOps Engineer?
Yes, $120,000 is competitive for mid-level roles depending on location and cloud expertise.
Can DevOps Engineers earn over $170,000?
Yes, senior DevOps Engineers and those in large tech companies can exceed $170,000 annually.
Do DevOps certifications increase salary?
Yes, certifications in AWS, Kubernetes, and cloud DevOps platforms significantly improve earning potential.
Are remote DevOps roles common?
Yes, many organizations offer fully remote or hybrid DevOps positions.
Which industries pay DevOps Engineers the most?
Technology, fintech, SaaS companies, and large enterprises typically offer higher salaries.
How long does it take to become a senior DevOps Engineer?
It usually takes 6–10 years of experience in development, operations, or cloud engineering roles.
Is DevOps a stable career in the US?
Yes, DevOps remains one of the most in-demand and stable technical careers in the US.
