DevOps Engineer Salary 2026: India vs Remote Roles

Are you exploring DevOps engineering as a career or wondering how your salary might compare if you work remotely versus India-based roles in 2026? DevOps engineers are among the most in-demand professionals in tech today, playing a vital role in automating and streamlining software development and operations. Salaries vary widely depending on location, experience, company type, and skillset. Understanding these differences helps you make informed choices about your career path and earning potential.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a platform that helps freelancers and professionals get hired through their work samples. In this article, I’ll walk you through the most in-demand freelance skills for 2026. But beyond mastering skills, the key is presenting your work smartly. Your portfolio is not just a collection of projects, it is your proof of skill, your credibility, and your shortcut to trust.

What Does a DevOps Engineer Do?

DevOps engineers bridge the gap between software development and IT operations to accelerate software delivery while ensuring reliability. They use automation tools, cloud infrastructure, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to create efficient workflows.

• Responsible for configuring and managing infrastructure as code using tools like Terraform and Ansible.
• Maintains CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI to automate software build and deployment.
• Monitors applications using tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, and ELK stack for performance and alerting.
• Works with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud to deploy scalable applications.
• Collaborates with teams to improve communication, code quality, and release cadence through agile methodologies.

Why it matters: The role’s technical complexity and business impact justify the competitive salaries DevOps engineers command in 2026.

DevOps Engineer Salary in India

In India, salaries for DevOps engineers vary significantly by experience, city, and company type. Tier-1 cities and tech hubs offer higher pay compared to smaller cities.

• Entry-level DevOps engineers with 0–2 years experience earn between ₹4 LPA to ₹9 LPA, often starting roles in startups or smaller firms.
• Mid-level professionals with 2–4 years experience generally receive ₹6 LPA to ₹12 LPA, with increased responsibility and project scope.
• Experienced engineers with 4+ years and niche skills like Kubernetes and cloud certifications command ₹10 LPA to ₹18 LPA.
• Senior and lead roles in companies offer salaries between ₹18 LPA to ₹33 LPA, reflecting strategic leadership and deep expertise.
• Top-paying cities include Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, and Pune, with average packages higher due to demand and cost of living.

Why it matters: Understanding local salary trends helps Indian DevOps professionals benchmark their earning potential and negotiate better offers.

Salary Trends for Remote DevOps Roles

Remote DevOps positions, often with international or product-based companies, generally offer significantly higher pay compared to domestic roles, reflecting the global demand and cost differentials.

• Entry-level remote DevOps engineers can expect salaries starting at $65,000 to $85,000 per year, equivalent to roughly ₹55 LPA to ₹72 LPA.
• Mid-level professionals earn between $85,000 and $120,000 annually, reflecting more experience and project ownership.
• Senior-level remote roles pay between $120,000 and $150,000, with lead roles going beyond $175,000 annually.
• Remote roles often come with benefits such as flexible schedules, bonuses, and international exposure.
• These jobs require strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across time zones and cultures.

Why it matters: Remote work opens highly paid opportunities for Indian DevOps engineers willing to work with global teams, significantly boosting income compared to local roles.

Key Factors Affecting DevOps Salaries

Several elements influence salary variations both in India and for remote DevOps jobs, emphasizing skills, experience, and employer profile.

• Certifications like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, and Docker Associate increase salary potential by ₹2–5 LPA or more.
• Experience with cloud-native technologies, automation tools, and scripting languages are highly valuable.
• Working in product-based companies typically offers higher salaries compared to service-based firms.
• Startups may offer moderate fixed salaries with performance bonuses or equity options.
• Soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and agile collaboration greatly impact senior role offers.

Why it matters: Building domain expertise and soft skills is crucial for maximizing compensation and career growth in the evolving DevOps landscape.

City-Wise Salary Comparison in India

The city where a DevOps engineer works plays a major role in determining their salary due to the cost of living and availability of tech companies.

• Bengaluru leads with average salaries around ₹9.3 LPA due to its status as India’s tech capital.
• Hyderabad and Delhi-NCR also offer competitive packages averaging between ₹8 LPA to ₹9 LPA.
• Cities like Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad offer moderate salaries with growing tech hubs.
• Tier-2 cities such as Jaipur, Coimbatore, and Kolkata offer lower salary averages, but remote work opportunities are bridging this gap.
• Increasing hybrid and remote working models mean talents from all cities can access better-paying jobs without relocation.

Why it matters: Location affects salary but the rise of remote work is gradually balancing regional disparities in pay.

How Fueler Helps DevOps Professionals

In a competitive job market, having a portfolio that showcases your certifications, projects, and skills is essential for standing out. Fueler helps DevOps engineers and other tech professionals organize their work samples and assignments into a strong portfolio that builds trust with recruiters and clients. This strategic presentation of your abilities can accelerate hiring and career growth.

Final Thoughts

The DevOps engineer salary in 2026 varies widely between India-based roles and remote jobs, with remote positions offering significantly higher compensation. Experience, certifications, technical skills, and location are key factors shaping earnings. Professionals ready to adapt to new tools and remote work models have excellent opportunities to grow their income and career in this fast-evolving field.

FAQs

1. What is the average salary of a DevOps engineer in India in 2026?

The average salary ranges from ₹4 LPA for beginners to ₹33 LPA+ for senior roles in Tier-1 cities.

2. How much more do remote DevOps jobs pay compared to India-based roles?

Remote roles often pay between $65,000 to $150,000 annually, significantly higher than typical Indian salaries due to global market rates.

3. Which certifications boost DevOps engineer salary the most?

AWS DevOps Engineer Professional, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, and Docker Certified Associate are highly valued certifications.

4. Does the city of employment in India change DevOps salary a lot?

Yes, cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad pay more, but remote and hybrid work models are reducing this gap.

5. What skills improve job prospects and salary for DevOps engineers?

Cloud platform expertise, automation tools, scripting, problem-solving, and effective communication skills enhance earning potential.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talent for their organization based on their proof of work. You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.