DevOps Engineer vs Penetration Tester: 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.
Penetration Tester
Conduct authorised attacks on systems to find and report vulnerabilities.
Penetration Tester earns more on average — the national median is $30,050/year (30%) 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 Penetration Tester — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | DevOps Engineer | Penetration Tester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $143,393 | $193,496 | DevOps $50,103 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $140,470 | DevOps $21,080 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,602 | $188,841 | DevOps $50,239 |
| Austin, TX | $109,601 | $145,769 | DevOps $36,168 |
| Chicago, IL | $106,405 | $135,251 | DevOps $28,846 |
| Boston, MA | $130,457 | $171,501 | DevOps $41,044 |
| London, UK | £75,853 | £102,480 | DevOps $26,627 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,262 | CA$166,911 | DevOps $31,649 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DevOps Engineer or Penetration Tester earn more?+
A Penetration Tester earns more on average. The national median salary for a DevOps Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $129,180/year for a Penetration Tester — a difference of $30,050 (30%).
Which has better career growth — DevOps Engineer or Penetration Tester?+
DevOps Engineer roles are growing at 28% YoY while Penetration Tester demand is growing at 30% YoY. Penetration Tester has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from DevOps Engineer to Penetration Tester?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: analytical thinking, communication, and industry knowledge.
Which is harder to automate — DevOps Engineer or Penetration Tester?+
Penetration Tester has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 38%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.