DevOps Engineer vs Platform 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.
Platform Engineer
Build and maintain internal developer platforms and tooling.
DevOps Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $0/year (0%) higher than a Platform Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
DevOps Engineer vs Platform Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | DevOps Engineer | Platform Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $143,393 | $147,719 | DevOps $4,326 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $119,390 | DevOps +$0 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,602 | $138,263 | DevOps +$339 |
| Austin, TX | $109,601 | $112,024 | DevOps $2,423 |
| Chicago, IL | $106,405 | $106,120 | DevOps +$285 |
| Boston, MA | $130,457 | $127,664 | DevOps +$2,793 |
| London, UK | £75,853 | £79,847 | DevOps $3,994 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,262 | CA$131,262 | DevOps +$4,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DevOps Engineer or Platform Engineer earn more?+
A DevOps Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a DevOps Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $99,130/year for a Platform Engineer — a difference of $0 (0%).
Which has better career growth — DevOps Engineer or Platform Engineer?+
DevOps Engineer roles are growing at 28% YoY while Platform Engineer demand is growing at 26% YoY. DevOps Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from DevOps Engineer to Platform Engineer?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Kubernetes, Terraform, AWS.
Which is harder to automate — DevOps Engineer or Platform Engineer?+
Platform Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (36% vs 38%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.