Are you a fresh graduate or a young professional seeking a promising career path in India? If so, have you considered becoming a DevOps Engineer? With the ever-increasing demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between software development and operations, DevOps Engineering is an exciting field with growing opportunities.
In this article, we'll provide you with an overview of DevOps Engineering as a profession and give you detailed insights into DevOps Engineer salaries in India, as well as other job opportunities to pursue in this field.
What is DevOps?
DevOps Engineering is a collaborative practise that combines software development and IT operations to increase the software development process's efficiency and consistency. A DevOps Engineer automates the process of building, testing, and deploying software systems.
Skills Required to Be a DevOps Engineer
To become a successful DevOps Engineer, you should have:
- Strong analytical thinking
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to work in collaboration with different teams
- In-depth understanding of Python, Java, Ruby, or C++
- Experience with Scrum or Kanban
Educational Qualifications to Be a DevOps Engineer in India
To become a DevOps engineer in India, you must have at least a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Technology from a recognised university. An advanced degree like an MBA can help you get promoted to higher positions more quickly.
Getting certified as an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator (Associate), Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), or Certified Jenkins Engineer can add value to your resume.
DevOps Engineer Salary in India
A DevOps Engineer is a modern-day hero in the IT world, responsible for optimising software development and delivery processes. They are in high demand due to the digital transformation of businesses across industries. As a DevOps Engineer, you can earn an attractive salary that grows with your experience.
Salary Structure for a DevOps Engineer
The average salary of a DevOps Engineer in India ranges from ₹4 to ₹15 lakhs per year. The salary package varies depending on location, company size, experience level, and skill set.
- A fresher or entry-level employee can expect to earn around ₹4-7 lakhs per year.
- A mid-career professional with 5-10 years of experience can earn up to ₹15-20 lakhs per year.
- Senior-level professionals with more than ten years of experience can earn over ₹30 lakhs per annum.
When compared with other IT professions like software developers and network administrators, the salary of a DevOps Engineer is generally higher. For instance, the average annual package for a software developer ranges from ₹2.5 lakhs to ₹16 lakhs, while for network administrators, it ranges between ₹2.5 lakhs and ₹12.5 lakhs per year.
Factors Affecting Salary
Factors like location play a crucial role in determining your salary as a DevOps Engineer in India. These factors include work location, years of experience, skill levels, and the size of the company where you work.
- The location plays a significant role, as salaries vary from city to city. For instance, Mumbai offers higher salaries for DevOps Engineers with an average of ₹9 lakhs per annum when compared to Delhi, with an average pay scale of ₹7.5 lakhs per annum.
- Experience is another crucial factor that determines the salary range offered by companies. A professional with 1-4 years of experience in this field can expect an average annual salary of ₹5-6 lakhs. Similarly, those who have experience ranging from 5–9 years can expect anything between ₹10 lakhs and 20 lakhs annually.
- Apart from location and experience level, DevOps Engineer salaries may also vary depending on various other factors, like skill certifications that you hold or skills you possess, like orchestration tool knowledge (Ansible or Puppet), containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, or deployment automation tools like Jenkins and GitLab.
Average salaries for DevOps Engineers in different cities in India
Negotiating Your Salary
When starting a new job, you may feel nervous about negotiating your salary. However, negotiating your salary is crucial as it can impact your long-term financial growth.
Here are some tips to help you negotiate effectively:
- Research the market trends for DevOps Engineer salaries in India.
- Highlight the value you bring to the company in terms of skills and experience.
- Be confident while discussing what you want, but stay realistic.
- Consider other benefits besides salary, such as flexible working hours or professional development opportunities.
Job Potential for DevOps Engineers
As a fresh graduate or entry-level professional looking to become a DevOps Engineer in India, you have several job roles available across different industries, such as the e-commerce, healthcare, and finance sectors.
As you gain skills and experience in this field, you can progress vertically within an organisation by taking up roles such as DevOps Architect or Cloud Infrastructure Manager.
Industry Growth in DevOps Engineering
The DevOps Engineering industry is growing rapidly in India, and the demand for these professionals is increasing in all major industries. Major industries hiring DevOps Engineers include:
- Healthcare
- E-commerce
- Finance
- IT Services
As new technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning gain popularity, companies are looking to integrate them into their software products. This increases the demand for skilled professionals who can automate the process of building, testing, and deploying these systems.
Scaling New Heights with Upskilling
Staying updated with new technologies is crucial to remaining competitive in today's job market. As a DevOps Engineer, you should look for opportunities to upskill regularly. Several upskilling programmes are available online that cater specifically to working professionals.
Upskilling programmes available for working DevOps professionals include:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
- Google Cloud Platform Fundamentals
- Docker Certified Associate
- Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator
The Future Looks Promising
As a DevOps Engineer, you have chosen a rewarding and growing profession in India. Remember to keep upskilling and staying updated with new technologies to remain competitive and advance your career.
At WIZR, we offer guidance and financial assistance with upskilling programmes that can help you acquire the necessary skills to succeed as a DevOps Engineer. Invest in your future today!
FAQs
1. What is the highest-paying job role for a DevOps Engineer in India?
A Senior DevOps Engineer earns an average salary of ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh and above per annum, making it the highest-paying job role for a DevOps Engineer in India.
2. How long does it take to become a DevOps Engineer?
It usually takes around 2-4 years to become a skilled DevOps Engineer through a combination of education, certification courses, and work experience.
3. What are some entry-level jobs in DevOps?
Some entry-level roles include Junior/Associate DevOps Engineer, Build & Release Engineer or Operations Support Engineer.
4. Can I apply for jobs abroad with Indian degrees or certifications?
Yes, Indian degrees and certifications are recognised internationally and can be an advantage when applying for jobs abroad.
5. Who earns more: a software engineer or a DevOps engineer?
DevOps Engineers generally earn more than Software Engineers due to their specialised skill set.
