DevOps Engineer: Salary, Skills & How to Become One
DevOps engineers automate how software is built, tested, and shipped, bridging development and operations with CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and cloud platforms.
Key skills
Certifications that help
How to become a DevOps Engineer
- Master Linux, Git, and one scripting language
- Learn a cloud platform and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Build a CI/CD pipeline end to end
- Earn a DevOps or Kubernetes certification
- Showcase pipelines and IaC on GitHub, then apply
Career path
Many people reach this role from System Administrator or Cloud Engineer, and grow into Site Reliability Engineer or Platform Engineer.
Ready to land a DevOps Engineer role?
Tailor your résumé to the job, prep for interviews, and find remote openings - all with AI.
DevOps Engineer FAQ
What is a DevOps engineer's salary?
Remote DevOps engineers in the US and Canada typically earn $110,000-$170,000, among the higher-paid infrastructure roles.
Is DevOps hard to get into?
It's an intermediate role - most DevOps engineers come from sysadmin, cloud, or development backgrounds. Strong Linux, scripting, and CI/CD skills are the fastest way in.
Do I need to code for DevOps?
Yes, scripting (Python, Bash, or Go) is essential for automation, though it's less about building features and more about tooling and pipelines.
Are DevOps jobs remote?
Very much so - DevOps is one of the most remote-friendly roles, with abundant fully remote openings across North America.