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How to become a DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineers automate how software is built, shipped and run — pipelines, infrastructure and the tooling that lets teams deploy safely and often.
At a glance
- A fit if you enjoy automation, reliability and removing friction between writing code and running it.
- Built from 608 active devops engineer listings — CI/CD is the single most-requested skill, in 25% of postings.
- Median devops engineer pay is $98,759 across 487 listings with disclosed salary ranges.
The skills employers ask for most
Ranked by how often each skill appears across active devops engineer listings. Learn these first.
- 1CI/CD25%
- 2AWS19%
- 3Azure15%
- 4Terraform13%
- 5Kubernetes11%
- 6Docker10%
- 7Git6%
- 8Python6%
The path in
A practical route from where you are to a first devops engineer role.
- 1
Build the core skills
Most devops engineer listings ask for the same handful of tools. Start with the ones employers mention most often — they are the fastest route to clearing the first screen.
CI/CDAWSAzureTerraformKubernetes - 2
Prove it with projects
Ship two or three portfolio projects that use those skills end to end — real data, a public repo and a short write-up of the decisions you made. Demonstrated work beats a list of keywords.
- 3
Target the right level
62% of current devops engineer postings sit at the mid level — that is where most people break in. Aim applications at that band before reaching higher.
- 4
Get past the resume screen
Mirror the language of live devops engineer postings in your resume so it matches what recruiters and ATS filters scan for. Tailor each application to the specific skills listed.
Skills that boost devops engineer pay
Median pay when each skill appears in a devops engineer listing with disclosed salary (minimum three matches).
- 1Django$221,000
- 2Microservices$164,000
- 3Machine Learning$118,598
- 4GCP$118,490
- 5CI/CD$100,000
- 6Git$100,000
Where you will start
How current devops engineer listings break down by seniority — a sense of where the openings are.
Pay
DevOps Engineer salary: $98,759 median
Most disclosed ranges fall between $68,760 and $138,878. See the full percentile breakdown, seniority shifts and skill premiums.
View devops engineer salary dataReady to apply for devops engineer roles?
Build a resume that mirrors what devops engineer listings actually ask for.
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DevOps Engineer career FAQ
How do I become a DevOps Engineer?
Build the skills employers actually ask for — currently CI/CD, AWS and Azure lead devops engineer listings, prove them with portfolio projects, then tailor your resume to live listing language. Most devops engineer openings are at the mid level, so target that band first.
What skills do you need to be a DevOps Engineer?
Across 608 active devops engineer listings, the most-requested skills are CI/CD, AWS, Azure, Terraform, Kubernetes. CI/CD appears in 25% of postings.
How much does a DevOps Engineer earn?
The median devops engineer salary is $98,759, with most disclosed ranges falling between $68,760 and $138,878, based on 487 listings with employer-published pay.
Is DevOps Engineer a good career in 2026?
There are 608 active devops engineer listings in our current index. You can track week-over-week demand for the underlying skills on the live skill-trends dashboard.
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