DevOps Engineer vs Prompt 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.
Prompt Engineer
Design and optimise prompts for large language models and AI systems.
Prompt 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 Prompt Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | DevOps Engineer | Prompt Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $143,393 | $179,192 | DevOps $35,799 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $135,980 | DevOps $16,590 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,602 | $168,489 | DevOps $29,887 |
| Austin, TX | $109,601 | $133,715 | DevOps $24,114 |
| Chicago, IL | $106,405 | $131,261 | DevOps $24,856 |
| Boston, MA | $130,457 | $160,844 | DevOps $30,387 |
| London, UK | £75,853 | £92,719 | DevOps $16,866 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,262 | CA$162,766 | DevOps $27,504 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DevOps Engineer or Prompt Engineer earn more?+
A Prompt Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a DevOps Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $120,230/year for a Prompt Engineer — a difference of $21,100 (21%).
Which has better career growth — DevOps Engineer or Prompt Engineer?+
DevOps Engineer roles are growing at 28% YoY while Prompt Engineer demand is growing at 80% YoY. Prompt Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from DevOps Engineer to Prompt Engineer?+
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 Prompt Engineer?+
Prompt Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (15% vs 38%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.