DevOps Engineer Salary 2026: How Much Can You Make?

What is a DevOps engineer?

A DevOps engineer is an information technology (IT) professional. You’ll work with your organization's software developers, administrators, and others to optimize the software development life cycle. 

Primary responsibilities for DevOps engineers may include:

• Overseeing releases of code

• Analyzing data

• Strategizing workflow

• Providing technical support to team members

• Investigating bugs

• Planning fixes and resolutions 

If you’re interested in engineering, problem-solving, and project management, a DevOps engineer position could be an excellent fit.

DevOps engineer job outlook

According to the Government of Canada, there is expected to be a balanced job market for DevOps engineers over the next decade [1]. Between 2024 and 2033, the number of job seekers is expected to be largely in line with the number of open jobs in the field. Depending on your location the job prospects are either "good" or "moderate." For example, in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec job prospects are good. Meanwhile, places like British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island have moderate job prospects.

Average DevOps engineer salary in Canada

The average annual base salary for a DevOps engineer in Canada is $92,000 plus an average supplemental pay of $7,000 [2]. The supplemental pay may include commissions, profit sharing, or bonuses.

DevOps engineer salaries by location: Top 5 highest-paying provinces

All salary information above is based on figures reported by the Government of Canada Job Bank as of July 2025.

Many DevOps engineers obtain degrees in computer science or a related field of study. Some degrees aspiring DevOps engineers pursue include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Computer Science. Higher education is an excellent way to prepare for an entry-level role and strengthen your resume. 

However, some employers accept related work experience or those with certifications in DevOps engineering instead of a degree. The following few sections outline the career path of a DevOps engineer from an entry-level, through a senior role, to a leadership role.

DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The average annual salary for a beginner DevOps engineer with less than a year of experience is $76,000 [2]. Qualifications for entry-level DevOps engineers may include:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field or demonstrated technical ability

• Understanding of Agile principles, object-oriented programming, and cloud computing concepts

• Knowledge of software development and networking principles

If you don’t yet qualify for an entry-level position, consider building your skills with a Professional Certificate such as IBM’s DevOps, Cloud, and Agile Foundations Specialization.

Senior DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The average annual salary for a Senior DevOps engineer is $114,000 [3]. Qualifications for this mid-level DevOps engineer may include:

• Strong background in containerization

• Familiarity with essential DevOps tools and frameworks such as Kubernetes, Git, Docker, Bamboo, and Ansible

• Understanding of computer systems, data structures, and scripting 

Lead DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The average annual salary for a Lead DevOps engineer is $122,000 [4]. Qualifications for Lead DevOps engineers may include:

• Experience with infrastructure orchestration

• Expert knowledge of the DevOps lifecycle and Agile principles

• Deep understanding of Git workflows and cybersecurity 

• Managing and mentoring other junior colleagues

How to obtain a competitive DevOps engineer salary

DevOps engineer salaries vary with location, experience level, company size, and other professional skills you offer. 

Staying up to date with industry trends and technologies can strengthen your candidacy for a DevOps engineer role. Social media pages, YouTube channels, and blogs can be exceptional resources for job seekers. For example, you can register for the DevOps Slack community, where over 20,000 DevOps professionals share insights.

Professional certificates and portfolios

When seeking a new position, demonstrate your value to potential employers by showcasing your abilities in the field. Enhance your resume and obtain the compensation you deserve with Professional Certificates in relevant fields. For example, someone eager to build DevOps-centric leadership skills might consider becoming certified in DevOps Culture and Mindset.

Enhance your career with Coursera.

Gain more of the skills you need to obtain a high-paying DevOps engineer salary with IBM’s online course Introduction to DevOps.