DevOps Engineer vs Product Manager: 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.
Product Manager
Define product vision and roadmap, working across engineering and design.
Product Manager earns more on average — the national median is $72,140/year (73%) 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 Product Manager — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | DevOps Engineer | Product Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $143,393 | $244,797 | DevOps $101,404 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $210,902 | DevOps $91,512 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,602 | $247,751 | DevOps $109,149 |
| Austin, TX | $109,601 | $196,435 | DevOps $86,834 |
| Chicago, IL | $106,405 | $188,512 | DevOps $82,107 |
| Boston, MA | $130,457 | $226,765 | DevOps $96,308 |
| London, UK | £75,853 | £88,049 | DevOps $12,196 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,262 | CA$224,019 | DevOps $88,757 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DevOps Engineer or Product Manager earn more?+
A Product Manager earns more on average. The national median salary for a DevOps Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $171,270/year for a Product Manager — a difference of $72,140 (73%).
Which has better career growth — DevOps Engineer or Product Manager?+
DevOps Engineer roles are growing at 28% YoY while Product Manager demand is growing at 20% YoY. DevOps Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from DevOps Engineer to Product Manager?+
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 Product Manager?+
Product Manager has a lower AI automation risk (34% vs 38%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.