DevOps Engineer Salary: How Much Can You Make in 2026?

What is a DevOps engineer?

A DevOps engineer is an information technology (IT) professional that works with software developers, administrators, and others to optimise the software development life cycle (SDLC). Primary responsibilities for DevOps engineers may include:

• Overseeing releases of code

• Analysing data

• Improving workflow

• Providing technical support to team members

• Testing software

• Investigating bugs

• Planning fixes and resolutions 

A DevOps engineer position could be an excellent fit if you are interested in engineering, problem-solving, and project management.

DevOps engineer salary and job outlook 2025

According to Glassdoor [1], the average DevOps engineer salary in the United Kingdom is £49,548 yearly. When looking at DevOps engineer salaries by location, note that metropolitan areas may tend to pay more. For example, the average salary for DevOps engineers in London, England, is £54,366 per year [2]. 

According to Statista, 25.23 percent of recruiters worldwide actively seek professionals to fill DevOps job vacancies, making DevOps the fifth most in-demand technical role [3].

Career path for DevOps engineers

DevOps engineers obtain degrees in computer science or a related field of study. Examples of degrees for aspiring DevOps engineers 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 CV. 

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

Entry-level DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The base annual salary for a DevOps engineer with up to one year of experience averages £38,483 [1]. Combined with the reported additional pay, such as bonuses and commissions, the average annual compensation rises to £41,494. 

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

• Ability to maintain information systems’ security, confidentiality, and integrity through compliance with relevant legislation and regulations

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

Mid-level DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The annual base salary for a DevOps engineer with between four and six years of experience averages £53,380 [1]. Combined with the reported additional pay, the average annual compensation rises to £57,074 [1]. 

Qualifications for mid-level DevOps engineers may include:

• Strong background in containerisation

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

• Understanding of computer systems, data structures, and scripting 

• Working knowledge of systems integration and design

Senior DevOps engineer salary and expectations

The base annual salary for a DevOps engineer with between ten and 14 years of experience averages £59,967 [1]. Combined with the reported additional pay, the average yearly compensation rises to £65,218 [1].

Qualifications for senior DevOps engineers may include:

• Experience with infrastructure orchestration

• Expert knowledge of the DevOps lifecycle and Agile principles to ensure that deployment strategies for products are repeatable, scalable, and highly available

• Deep understanding of Git workflows and cybersecurity 

• Ability to coach and mentor junior colleagues

How to obtain a competitive DevOps engineer salary

DevOps engineer salaries vary based on education, experience, location, and other professional training. Still, many software development positions are fully remote. Consider expanding the scope of your search to encompass both in-person and remote opportunities. 

Staying current on industry trends and technologies may also 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 to join the DevOps Slack community, where nearly 30,000 DevOps professionals share insights.

Professional certificates and portfolios

When seeking a new position, it’s essential to demonstrate the value of your skill set to potential employers. Whether or not you have work experience, industry-recognised credentials can witness your skills and knowledge. Enhance your CV and obtain the compensation you deserve with Professional Certificates in relevant fields of expertise, such as:

• IBM Applied DevOps Engineering Professional Certificate

• DevOps, Cloud, and Agile Foundations Specialisation

• Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud DevOps Engineer Professional Certificate

• DevOps and AI on AWS Specialization

Enhance your DevOps career with Coursera

Online Courses, Specialisations, Certificates, and Degrees can help you enhance your portfolio, strengthen your CV, and develop more skills needed to obtain a high-paying DevOps engineer salary. For example, IBM’s online course Introduction to DevOps provides an excellent first step in learning about the field. This is the first course in the 15-course IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate, which offers an opportunity to earn a qualification and hone in-demand skills to help get you job-ready.