To conclude, he uses automation, Linux commands, shell scripting, version control, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code and cloud like AWS to achieve application development.

DevOps engineers are paid substantially higher than traditional sysadmin or software engineer roles. Thanks to the unconventional role.

Average Salary Overview of DevOps Engineer

Let’s look at the recent salary ranges of a DevOps Engineer in India from various reliable sources:

In the above table, some figures are way too conservative. A realistic range lies between ₹8 LPA to ₹20 LPA, with typical averages around ₹10–12 LPA, scaling higher with seniority and niche skills.

Now, let’s look at the recent salary ranges of a DevOps Engineer in the US from various reliable sources:

In conclusion, a DevOps professional can make $110K–$150K base with senior roles making more than that.

What is the Impact of Location and Company on DevOps Engineer Salary?

Salaries of DevOps engineers vary significantly depending on the city, company size and industry.

High-paying Cities:

1. Bangalore

Earning potential: ₹10–20+ LPA

• It is considered as the DevOps capital of India.

• Companies like Infosys, Flipkart, and Cisco actively look for candidates here.

2. Hyderabad

Earning potential: ₹9–18 LPA

• It is considered as the budding tech hub of India.

• Competitive packages are offered by various tech giants like Microsoft, Accenture, and ServiceNow.

3. Mumbai/Pune

Earning potential: ₹8–17 LPA

• Many fintech and enterprise IT firms heavily demand DevOps professionals in Mumbai and Pune.

• Some of the notable companies include TCS, Capgemini, JPMorgan Chase.

4. Gurgaon/NCR (Delhi)

Earning potential: ₹8–15 LPA

• Gurgaon/Delhi are home to many product-based and SaaS companies.

• The place offers hybrid, remote and flexible work options.

Impact of Company Type:

• Product-based companies

Higher salary packages between ₹15–25 LPA are offered with ESOPs (stock options) , especially for roles involving Kubernetes, AWS, and CI/CD pipeline automation. Some popular companies include Atlassian, Google India, Freshworks.

• Service-based companies

Moderate salary packages between ₹6–12 LPA are offered with structured career progression and certification support. Some popular companies include Infosys, Wipro, TCS, etc.

• Startups

Slightly lower fixed salaries ranging between ₹8–14 LPA are offered by startups. The salaries are either compensated with performance bonuses or equity.

What are the Key Factors that Influence DevOps Engineer Salary?

There are a broad spectrum of factors that influence the salary of a DevOps Engineer. Some of the most important factors are mentioned below:

• Experience and Seniority

It is one of the most tangible factors that impact the salary range of a DevOps engineer. A mid-senior DevOps Engineer can earn 2x more than an entry level engineer.

• Technical Skills

There are many different tools and technologies that are included in the skillset list of a DevOps engineer. The more tools you’re proficient in, the higher your salary will be. Some of the notable skills include CI/CD pipeline, IaC, version control, cloud, security, etc.

Note: if you want to master 14+ DevOps tools and technologies with 100% live online classes, check out Network kings DevOps Master’s Program.

• Certifications

You increase your chance to get hired by 40% if you have a certification in your resume.

Some popular DevOps certifications include AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Docker Certified Associate (DCA) and Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert. 

• Education Level

Believe it or not, your education level plays a decisive role in your salary. There is some impact seen in the data regarding the difference between the salaries of a candidate who has graduated vs. a candidate with a master's degree.

• Industry

The industry that you work in as a DevOps engineer also plays a key role in determining your salary package. Generally speaking, a company building AI agents can pay out more than a B2B SaaS company. However, it all boils down to your skills at the end of the day.

• Remote vs. In-Office Roles

DevOps engineers also get paid out differently based on their type of role - remote or in-office.

How to Increase Your DevOps Salary?

You can increase your DevOps salary by following the tips mentioned below:

• Master high-value tools

Master the most in-demand DevOps tools like Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Terraform, ELK, Prometheus, Linux, Git, Puppet, Chef, etc.

• Go for certification

Adding a globally-recognized certification in your resume can help you land a high-paying job as a DevOps engineer.

• Choose high-paying regions

You can strategically target high-paying regions to land a handsome salary package.

• Build networks

LinkedIn is a very powerful tool to build a solid network in the job market. You can also build offline connections in the industry to get better job opportunities.

Bottom Line

Because of their crucial role in linking development and operations, DevOps engineers earn higher incomes; compensation varies by region, experience, and skill set. Gaining proficiency in in-demand technologies and certifications greatly increases one's earning potential.  Career advancement and income prospects are further improved by focusing on high-paying areas and creating robust professional networks.

FAQs:

1. Are DevOps engineers highly paid?

Yes, DevOps engineers are paid very well with an average annual salary of ₹7,77,840/year. In fact, they are paid more than software developers or IT professionals.

2. Can AI replace DevOps engineers?

Although AI can automate several tasks in the software development lifecycle, it cannot fully replace DevOps engineers. 

3. What skills should I focus on to increase my DevOps salary?

Acquire knowledge to implement tools such as Terraform, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD, and obtain relevant certifications.

4. How much does experience affect the salary of a DevOps engineer?

 In comparison to freshers, experience may double or triple your salary.

5. Does the salary of DevOps engineers vary when working remotely?

Offsite compensation is different; some companies pay the same, but others adjust based on distance.