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Are you thinking about a career in engineering? According to a recent CodeInGame survey of 15,000 developers and Human Resources professionals, DevOps Engineer topped the list as the most in-demand developer job title. And given that the average salary for this role ranges from $100,000 to $150,000 a year, it may be time for you to make your move! If you’re ready to get started on your path towards a career as a DevOps Engineer, follow these six steps:
Before we break down each of these steps, let’s dive deeper into the role of DevOps engineers and the logistics of a career in this field.
A DevOps engineer is responsible for merging IT operations and software development. They must be knowledgeable in both skill sets and help both areas release timely and efficient software and application updates in a collaborative manner. Additionally, they must ensure that the needs of the company’s customer are being met by any updates.
DevOps Engineers work with DevOps strategies that allow continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) of updates. In order for updates to deploy efficiently, software developers and IT operators must work together and communicate on a regular basis. The DevOp engineer oversees this collaboration and ensures that updates, code releases, and deployments are accomplished in a thought out and productive manner.
Since professionals in this field are responsible for seamlessly merging and deploying software development and information technology operations, there are a variety of skills that the DevOps engineer be proficient with, not only in these areas, but also in areas of project management and leadership.
Some of these skills include:
Most companies are looking for at least a bachelor’s degree in one of the related fields listed above. This shows that you have background knowledge in IT operations and/or software development.
Today, most companies want to utilize the cloud for storage, accessibility, and security. Certifications in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud will make you more marketable to potential employers.
Companies want DevOps Engineers that are proficient in all stages of app development. Practice is key and there are multiple software tools that are helpful in completing each phase.
DevOps bootcamps focus on curriculums that are geared towards necessary skills and tools of this profession. They can help you fill in any gaps in your skills and also become more of an expertise in this field. Many bootcamps also offer internships that help you gain practical experience.
Certifications show potential employers that you do in fact have expertise in the areas related to this position.
While a DevOps Engineer holds a leadership role in an organization, earning a master’s degree in this specific focus can help you climb the ladder to a senior position.
Because of the knowledge base and leadership skills required in this career, most employers require a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Software Development or a closely related field. A degree in one of these areas shows that the candidate will have a basic understanding of computer systems and infrastructures as well as some of the tools and languages needed in the profession.
DevOps is relatively new and is continuing to evolve. Prospective employers look for engineers who are keeping up with trends that can deliver secure, seamless, and quick releases of updates. A DevOps certification as well as certifications in Cloud platforms show employers that you are up to date on the latest tools and software in the field.
Depending on your education background, it can take four to eight years to become a DevOps engineer. After a bachelor’s degree is earned, you may choose to immediately start gaining work experience to work towards this career. Another option is to immediately earn a Master’s Degree in DevOps Engineering. A great way to start learning skills specific to DevOps engineering while working is to attend a DevOps bootcamp. Bootcamps are offered in-person, online, and in hybrid formats. They can last eight to 36 weeks.
As companies work to deploy updates quicker and find ways for software development and IT operations to coexist and easily compliment each other, DevOps will continue to be in demand.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not yet report the job outlook for DevOps engineers, but is expecting related software developers and testers to grow at a rate of 22% from 2020 to 2030. This is way above the average job growth of 4 to 5%.
Companies in all industries are looking for software development updates to occur more rapidly while maintaining security and integrity. DevOps engineers ensure that all teams involved in the development process collaborate effectively and in a productive manner while creating a product that addresses the needs of the consumer. A DevOps engineer in a company can help keep the company competitive as they create the best experience for their customers. Because of this, companies of all sizes, from startups to larger Fortune 500 companies, will benefit from having a DevOps engineer on their team.
Software testers, reliability engineers, software developers, release managers, IT operators, and more can work to become junior DevOps engineers and work their way up to DevOps architects or senior DevOps engineers. Practical experience as well as proper certifications can help you move faster up the chain of command to reach your goals in this field. Industries including software, investments, defense, communications, and more are looking for DevOps to take their businesses to the next level.
According to Indeed.com, the average salary in the United States for this profession is $118,678.
Salaries can vary according to experience and geographical location, so listed below are the average salaries for workers in this field in some of the country’s top tech hubs.
| Tech Hub | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $131,645 |
| Washington, DC | $135,553 |
| San Jose, CA | $149,072 |
| Atlanta, GA | $114,604 |
| Seattle, WA | $124,049 |
| Austin, TX | $131,883 |
