How to become a DevOps Engineer

by Danielle Antosz | Published on April 03, 2026

A DevOps engineer is a critical role in today's IT world. They serve as the bridge between software developers (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). Their main goals are to streamline software development, improve team collaboration, and ensure faster, more reliable software delivery. 

Think of DevOps as the head chef in a fast-paced kitchen responsible for ensuring the line cooks, who cook and plate dishes, work well with the prep cooks, who ensure ingredients are stocked, vegetables are chopped, and meats are marinated. (Except more coding and less cooking!) 

If you're considering becoming a DevOps engineer, here's what you need to know. 

What is a DevOps Engineer?

DevOps engineers, short for development operations engineers, combine development and IT operations skills to automate, streamline, and optimize software development and deployment processes. 

Note that the term "DevOps engineer" doesn't necessarily refer to one specific role across different companies. It can actually refer to several roles, especially in larger companies. Other titles for you might see include site reliability engineer (SRE), platform engineer, cloud engineer, release engineer, infrastructure engineer.

What Does a DevOps Engineer Do? 

They tend to wear many different hats, and their duties can vary depending on the organization's size, what the company develops, and the overall development structure. Some core responsibilities you can expect to focus on as a DevOps engineer include:

• Automating Tasks: Building and maintaining CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipelines to automate testing and deployment to achieve smoother, faster software releases.

• Managing Infrastructure as Code (IaC): You'll likely use tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Terraform to write scripts to manage infrastructure. This will help your team to scale up quickly and efficiently.

• Facilitating Collaboration: You'll work closely with development and operations teams to ensure smooth deployments, reduce errors, and improve communication.

• Monitor and Improve Performance: As a DevOps engineer, you'll likely be responsible for monitoring system performance, optimizing resources, and ensuring systems are secure, scalable, and always available.

• Cloud Management: A significant part of your job will likely involve deploying and managing cloud environments on platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Tasks might also include configuring and maintaining services, databases, and applications across multiple cloud environments.

Some job listings might also refer to a specific platform or language you'll need to be familiar with, such as "AWS Cloud DevOps Engineer"  or "DevOps Engineer with Python." 

What are the Day-to-Day Tasks of a DevOps Engineer? 

As a DevOps engineer, your day-to-day duties might include: 

• Managing Code Deployment Pipelines: Your overall goal for most days is likely to ensure the software reaches users without any hitches. This may include any number of different tasks and meetings. 

• Monitoring System Performance: You could be monitoring servers, applications, and networks to ensure smooth operation.

• Resolving Issues: Later in the day, you might troubleshoot and fix issues arising during software deployment or in live environments.

• Improving Automation Processes: You'll always be on the look out for new ways to automate repetitive tasks, reducing the workload for development and IT teams.

What Technical Skills do DevOps Engineers Need? 

Becoming a successful DevOps engineer requires a diverse skill set—and the exact skills are likely to vary by job. Some of the most important technical skills most DevOps engineers can expect to need include: 

• Programming Languages: Proficiency in languages such as Python, Ruby, and Bash is essential for scripting and automation. The exact language can vary by company. 

• Version Control Systems: Knowledge of Git will make it easier to manage code versions and collaborate with multiple teams.

• Containerization Tools: You'll want to be very familiar with Docker and Kubernetes, as they are key to deploying and managing applications in isolated environments.

• Cloud Platforms: Experience with cloud services such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is crucial for managing scalable, reliable systems. Make sure you can navigate these platforms easily. 

• Automation Tools: In today's world, they can be a major part of DevOps. You'll want expertise with tools like Jenkins, Ansible, and Terraform to help you automate infrastructure management, deployment, and monitoring.

Learn more about GitLab and Git with our intermediate-level training. 

Is There Demand for DevOps Engineers? 

The demand for DevOps engineers continues to grow as companies shift towards cloud-based solutions and look for ways to improve operational efficiency. Organizations across various industries—from tech to finance to healthcare—are moving towards agile software delivery practices, making the role of a DevOps engineer essential. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have stats for DevOps specifically but does project growth in the fields of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. Many companies are actively seeking skilled professionals who can combine development and operations, with LinkedIn listing more than 6,000 jobs in the field. 

The DevOps market size is expected to grow from $15.8 billion in 2025 to $82.4 billion by 2034, which indicates a growing need for DevOps professionals.

What Education Do I Need to Become a DevOps Engineer? 

Most job listings we looked at for DevOps engineers do not require a bachelor's degree—but they do require really in-depth skills and experience. So while it's possible to become a DevOps engineer without a degree, you'll definitely need a ton of experience.

Here is the education that will help you land your ideal role: 

• Degree: To become a DevOps Engineer, focus on getting a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Software Engineering. Specialized DevOps courses and boot camps are also available.

• Certifications: To enhance credibility and technical expertise, consider certifications such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer Expert, or Docker Certified Associate.

Not sure which certification is right for you? Use the free CBT Nuggets IT Certification Matrix. 

What does a DevOps Engineer Career Path Look Like? 

DevOps Engineers typically follow a growth path that starts as a system admin or similar entry-level role and progresses to related roles as they gain skills and experience. Here's a generalized career path for a DevOps Engineer: 

• Entry-Level Positions: Many start as system administrators, software developers, or IT support specialists, gaining hands-on experience in both development and operations.

• DevOps: Once individuals gain enough experience, a move to DevOps becomes possible. To become a DevOps employee, individuals may pursue certifications or study specific technologies. 

• Advancement: With experience, DevOps engineers can move into roles such as senior DevOps engineer, cloud architect, or site reliability engineer (SRE). Leadership positions like DevOps manager or director are also possible. 

• Alternative Career Paths: Depending on their skill set and interests, DevOps engineers may transition into roles like cloud engineers, software architects, or automation engineers.

DevOps Engineer vs. System Administrator: What's the Difference? 

While both DevOps engineers and systems administrators manage IT infrastructure, there are key differences between them. DevOps engineers focus on automation, integration, and streamlining the development lifecycle, whereas system administrators handle system upkeep, maintenance, and troubleshooting. 

Overall, DevOps engineers bring a more proactive, holistic approach to software development and deployment.

Want to learn more about what sysadmins do? Check out our Intro to Systems Administration Online Training course. 

How Much Does a DevOps Engineer Make?

Salaries for DevOps engineers vary widely, but based on data from Glassdoor, here is what you can expect to make between $115,000 and $180,000. Here's how the salary breaks down by experience level: 

(Source: Glassdoor, 3/26/2026)

Several factors can affect your potential salary as a DevOps Engineer, including your experience, training level, geographic location, company size, and industry sector (tech, finance, healthcare).

Conclusion

A career as a DevOps engineer can be very rewarding for those who enjoy blending technical skills with problem-solving. Being successful in this field requires a solid understanding of both development and operations, continuous learning, and hands-on experience with a variety of tools and platforms. If you're interested in this career path, CBT Nuggets offers a wide range of courses to help you learn the skills you need to succeed. 

Ready to dive into DevOps? Start training with CBT Nuggets.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Career in DevOps Engineering

Do I need a degree to become a DevOps engineer? 

No, you don't have to have a degree to become a DevOps engineer. However, you will need a strong foundation of technical skills. Certifications, hands-on projects, and a portfolio of real experience carry significant weight. Focus on building skills in Linux, scripting, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms. 

How long does it take to become a DevOps engineer? 

It depends on your starting point. If you already have a background in IT, software development, or systems administration, you could make the transition in 6–12 months of focused learning. Starting from scratch may take 2-3 years.

What's the difference between DevOps and cloud engineering? 

DevOps focuses on helping move software from the developer's computer to the real world. Cloud engineering focuses on building and managing infrastructure in cloud environments. The roles overlap significantly, and many DevOps engineers work heavily in the cloud.

What certifications help you become a DevOps engineer? 

Certifications from AWS (like the AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional), the Linux Foundation, and HashiCorp are well recognized. Docker and Kubernetes certifications are also worth pursuing as container skills are near-universal in DevOps roles.

Is DevOps a good career?

Yes, DevOps engineers are in high demand, and salaries reflect that—most DevOps engineers earn between $115,000 and $180,000. The role helps you build and flex skills across development, operations, and the cloud, which makes it a strong foundation for long-term career growth.