DevOps Engineer vs Site Reliability 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.
Site Reliability Engineer
Ensure platform reliability, scalability, and uptime at scale.
DevOps Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $0/year (0%) higher than a Site Reliability Engineer. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
DevOps Engineer vs Site Reliability Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | DevOps Engineer | Site Reliability Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $143,393 | $142,771 | DevOps +$622 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $119,390 | DevOps +$0 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,602 | $137,435 | DevOps +$1,167 |
| Austin, TX | $109,601 | $112,635 | DevOps $3,034 |
| Chicago, IL | $106,405 | $108,126 | DevOps $1,721 |
| Boston, MA | $130,457 | $129,849 | DevOps +$608 |
| London, UK | £75,853 | £79,751 | DevOps $3,898 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,262 | CA$135,006 | DevOps +$256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DevOps Engineer or Site Reliability 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 Site Reliability Engineer — a difference of $0 (0%).
Which has better career growth — DevOps Engineer or Site Reliability Engineer?+
DevOps Engineer roles are growing at 28% YoY while Site Reliability Engineer demand is growing at 27% YoY. DevOps Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from DevOps Engineer to Site Reliability 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 Site Reliability Engineer?+
Site Reliability Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (35% vs 38%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.