DevOps Engineer vs Machine Learning Engineer: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
DevOps Engineer
Automate infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud deployments.
Machine Learning Engineer
Design and deploy machine learning models to production systems.
Machine Learning Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $21,100/year (21%) higher than a DevOps Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
DevOps Engineer vs Machine Learning Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | DevOps Engineer | Machine Learning Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $143,393 | $173,682 | DevOps $30,289 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $135,980 | DevOps $16,590 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,602 | $174,792 | DevOps $36,190 |
| Austin, TX | $109,601 | $134,974 | DevOps $25,373 |
| Chicago, IL | $106,405 | $129,773 | DevOps $23,368 |
| Boston, MA | $130,457 | $157,928 | DevOps $27,471 |
| London, UK | £75,853 | £78,216 | DevOps $2,363 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,262 | CA$134,265 | DevOps +$997 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DevOps Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer earn more?+
A Machine Learning Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a DevOps Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $120,230/year for a Machine Learning Engineer — a difference of $21,100 (21%).
Which has better career growth — DevOps Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer?+
DevOps Engineer roles are growing at 28% YoY while Machine Learning Engineer demand is growing at 45% YoY. Machine Learning Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from DevOps Engineer to Machine Learning Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Kubernetes.
Which is harder to automate — DevOps Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer?+
Machine Learning Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 38%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.