TechnologyOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years
Staff / Lead DevOps Engineer Salary in Washington DC
2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.
$202,871/yr
Typical range: $172,378 – $211,962
P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data
DevOps Engineer salary by experience level in Washington DC
DevOps Engineer Salary Progression in Washington DC
From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data
| Experience Level | Years | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | vs Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0 yrs | 0 yrs | $93,211 | $7,768 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $115,143 | $9,595 | +24% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $129,764 | $10,814 | +39% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $150,234 | $12,520 | +61% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $202,871 | $16,906 | +118% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $254,411 | $21,201 | +173% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $267,296 | $22,275 | +187% |
Current Salary
$202,871
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $98/hr
Next Level Target
$254,411
Principal · 14
+$52Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
64/100
Good
+28% demand · Moderate AI risk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the staff / lead DevOps Engineer salary in Washington DC, DC?
Staff / Lead DevOps Engineers in Washington DC, DC earn approximately $203K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.
How much does a staff / lead DevOps Engineer make per hour in Washington DC, DC?
Based on $203K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $98/hr (2,080-hour work year).
How do I get from staff / lead to senior DevOps Engineer in Washington DC, DC?
The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior DevOps Engineer in Washington DC, DC earns $172K–$212K/yr.