DevOps Engineer vs Solutions Architect: 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.
Solutions Architect
Design technical solutions to meet customer business requirements.
Solutions Architect earns more on average — the national median is $17,450/year (18%) 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 Solutions Architect — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | DevOps Engineer | Solutions Architect | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $143,393 | $166,946 | DevOps $23,553 |
| New York, NY | $119,390 | $142,757 | DevOps $23,367 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,602 | $165,593 | DevOps $26,991 |
| Austin, TX | $109,601 | $130,504 | DevOps $20,903 |
| Chicago, IL | $106,405 | $128,220 | DevOps $21,815 |
| Boston, MA | $130,457 | $149,219 | DevOps $18,762 |
| London, UK | £75,853 | £88,896 | DevOps $13,043 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$135,262 | CA$151,769 | DevOps $16,507 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a DevOps Engineer or Solutions Architect earn more?+
A Solutions Architect earns more on average. The national median salary for a DevOps Engineer is $99,130/year, compared to $116,580/year for a Solutions Architect — a difference of $17,450 (18%).
Which has better career growth — DevOps Engineer or Solutions Architect?+
DevOps Engineer roles are growing at 28% YoY while Solutions Architect demand is growing at 24% YoY. DevOps Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from DevOps Engineer to Solutions Architect?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: AWS.
Which is harder to automate — DevOps Engineer or Solutions Architect?+
Solutions Architect has a lower AI automation risk (30% vs 38%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.