DevOps, which is a combination of development operations, came out of the need to synchronize the efforts of software developers and IT engineers. This set of techniques is used to increase the efficiency of the product development cycle. Since its adoption in 2009, DevOps has become a widespread practice in many organizations, so as a tech professional you might wonder how to get into DevOps.
Today, the DevOps career path is as relevant as it is innovative. If you’re wondering how to become a DevOps engineer, this is the guide for you. In it, we will discuss the skills you need, the different education paths you can pursue, and how to get a DevOps job with no experience.
What Is DevOps?
DevOps is a set of practices and processes that combines the efforts of the software development team with the operations team. This allows them to work at the same time and better coordinate their tasks. The use of DevOps allows for more productive software with fewer crashes and less downtime. This field is based on the Agile framework.
DevOps engineers are a mix of software development and IT engineers who perform a series of tests on application software and systems. From design to deployment, DevOps engineers do many things, including speeding up the product lifecycle and ensuring continuous modification through the use of up-to-date software and methodologies.
Tips on How to Get a Job in DevOps
Starting on a DevOps career path can be a wise decision if you want a high-paying position with solid job security. DevOps engineers earn some of the highest salaries in the tech industry. We’ve listed a few tips below on how to get into DevOps.
Research the Field
The first step to starting any career is learning more about it. To get into DevOps, you need to learn which programming languages to use, the types of projects you can work on, the types of professionals that you’ll be collaborating with, and the types of jobs you can land. Take some time to learn about the field and its possibilities so you can select a path that matches your career goals.
Attend a Coding Bootcamp or College
Attending DevOps bootcamps will teach you the skills you need to start in an entry-level role in a short period of time. You can also opt for more traditional education, such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development or Computer Science, to learn everything you need to start a DevOps career.
Apply for Entry-Level Jobs
Most coding bootcamps will help you secure jobs when you graduate. However, if you get a degree from a college, you’ll need to find a job on your own. You should apply through specialty job sites to increase your chances of getting hired. An entry-level job will give you practical knowledge of the industry and experience working on real-life projects.
Earn a Professional Certification
If you want to specialize in the DevOps field, you should consider the best DevOps certification options. A professional certification improves your earning potential and your chances of becoming a DevOps industry leader. It also shows you have the proper training to do your job well.
Apply for a DevOps Engineer Role
Once you have the right experience and qualifications, you should start applying for DevOps roles. You will have lots of options to freelance or work full-time for major companies because of how in-demand this job role is.
DevOps Culture: Why Use DevOps?
The main incentive for teams and businesses to adopt a DevOps culture is that it improves team collaboration. This, in turn, means teams are better able to respond to clients, fulfill their needs, and achieve their business goals more effectively.
In addition to improving customer relationships, adopting DevOps tools and practices helps teams build confidence in their own work and help managers make informed decisions faster. One of the major benefits of DevOps is that it can improve job satisfaction across the board.
DevOps Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not report on the DevOps engineer job outlook specifically, but it does state that software developer jobs will grow by 25 percent between 2021 and 2031. Around 411,400 new jobs are expected to become available during this time period, which is much higher than average. If you want to enter a growing field with high salaries, you should get into DevOps.
What Is the Average DevOps Salary?
BLS does not include information on the average DevOps engineer salary specifically. However, the median salary for software developers, which is a close match, was $120,730 in 2021. This suggests that a DevOps engineer salary is very competitive, making this a lucrative career path.
What Education Do I Need to Become a DevOps Engineer?
Typical DevOps education requirements include either a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering or a certificate from a coding bootcamp. A master’s degree is also an asset in this field. DevOps prerequisites also include having in-depth knowledge of software development, networking, and IT infrastructure operations.
Can I Get a DevOps Job Without a Degree?
Yes, you can get a DevOps job with no degree. You can get the training you need through a coding bootcamp or by using online resources to learn DevOps and practice on your own. It is possible, albeit difficult, to get a DevOps job with no experience, but you’re better off working on a few projects to gain experience and build a portfolio, even if you don’t want to earn a degree.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job in DevOps?
Yes, a DevOps bootcamp can help you get a job. Coding bootcamps equip you with the knowledge of scripting, cloud computing, AI operations, and systems engineering, which are fundamental in the field. Coding bootcamps can help you refine your Agile development skills to build a successful career.
The best DevOps engineer bootcamp options offer immersive training in web development and software engineering to interested students. These programs include the foundations of DevOps, and they teach students a wide range of sophisticated technologies with real-life projects to prepare them for their dream jobs.
How Long Does It Take to Learn DevOps?
It can take you three months to a year to learn DevOps. If you want to learn DevOps from scratch, consider enrolling in an immersive web development or engineering bootcamp. Once you master the concepts of coding, web development, and the software lifecycle, you’ll be ready to start your job hunt.
Employers are always looking for employees with the most current skills in DevOps to join their teams. Whether you opt for a bootcamp, a degree, or self-learning with online resources, make sure you educate yourself on the latest trends in the field, gain practical knowledge through collaborations with operations teams, and learn your industry’s best practices.
Common DevOps Engineering Education Paths
With DevOps, you have an array of options for education when it comes to picking your career path. We’ve gathered a list of common DevOps engineering education paths to help you get started.
DevOps Bootcamps
As mentioned above, DevOps bootcamps are an excellent option to kickstart your career in a short period of time. These programs offer intense but flexible training on the practices and tools used in DevOps. You can try one of the best DevOps bootcamps, best coding bootcamps, or best software development bootcamps.
Community College
Some community colleges offer courses to interested students and graduates in DevOps engineering. This course can be a part of a two-year Associate Degree in Computer Engineering or a Certificate in DevOps. This option will be best for you if you’re prioritizing affordability and flexibility.
DevOps Degrees
There is no such thing as a DevOps degree, but you can choose a general computer science or software engineering degree. With these degrees, you’ll learn about the industry as a whole and be able to work in any computer-related field. However, this is the most expensive and time-consuming option.
Key DevOps Skills to List on Your Resume
There are a couple of key skills for DevOps you should list on your resume to prove your competence for a DevOps engineer role. These include programming, cloud computing, and continuous delivery. Read below to learn more about the skills you should add to your DevOps resume.
Programming and Scripting Languages
The typical DevOps programming language list includes high-level programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and Perl. You need to make sure your systems are designed to be replicated with infrastructure as code (IaC) tools. Some examples of IaC tools include AWS CloudFormation, TerraForm, and Puppet.
Cloud Computing
The knowledge of cloud services, cloud technology, and infrastructure management are essential skills for DevOps engineers. You should be able to build cloud systems and resolve complications using cloud service offerings. You should also perform troubleshooting on cloud infrastructure, servers, storage, and networks as this is an essential part of the job role.
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Continuous Delivery
Continuous delivery (CD) relies on the use of DevOps automation tools to speed up the release of new code. It’s the process of delivering updates to the production team in smaller amounts. You need in-depth knowledge of CD theories and concepts, and you should be able to deploy VPN, upgrade software applications, and configure servers and database storage systems.
Where to Find DevOps Engineer Jobs
Several job boards advertise vacancies for DevOps engineers. If you want to find the best DevOps jobs, you should look at the best computer science and software engineering job boards. Keep reading to see our list of the best sites to help you find on-site and remote DevOps jobs.
Turing
Turing is a job site specializing in advertising software development jobs. It offers remote DevOps engineer jobs to candidates who can work with IT operations and development teams across the organization.
Toptal
The Toptal job board advertises positions in software development, design, and financial services. It offers remote freelance DevOps engineer jobs with top global clients to interested job seekers, providing them with the flexibility of working on their terms.
Stack Overflow
Stack Overflow is a site that helps people who are DevOps engineers and data scientists find a job to fit their skills. It posts verified jobs for developers in various fields of software development.
How to Prepare for Your DevOps Interview
Due to the hybrid nature of the field, preparing for a DevOps job interview can be overwhelming. You’ll need a deep understanding of both development and IT operations. You should also be ready for technical questions. To help you prepare and feel more confident, we compiled a list of possible DevOps interview questions to get you started.
DevOps Interview Questions
- Why did you decide to learn and practice DevOps?
- What is continuous integration?
- What is a configuration management tool?
- What is your software development process?
- How do you approach hiccups or issues in DevOps?
The Five Highest-Paying DevOps Jobs
| DevOps Jobs | Average Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Architect | $196,402 | 4% |
| Lead DevOps Engineer | $159,477 | 25%* |
| Azure Developer | $117,937 | 25%* |
| Software Developer | $95,483 | 25%* |
| Systems Administrator | $81,385 | 3% |
*Job growth statistics have been sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on software developers.
Cloud Architect
Salary: $196,402
You should become a cloud engineer or architect if you’re interested in cloud computing and DevOps. This job involves the development, testing, and modification of cloud technology. The BLS states that cloud architecture as a field will see a growth of four percent by 2031.
Lead DevOps Engineer
Salary: $159,477
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), DevOps engineer job opportunities will see an annual growth of 25 percent in the next 10 years. This field has one of the highest salary averages in the tech industry, and it is a fantastic leadership role if you enjoy managing teams.
Azure Developer
Salary: $117,937
According to the BLS, Azure developers fall under the same umbrella as software developers, and they will also see a 22 percent growth rate in the next decade. Azure developers work with Microsoft Azure, a cloud platform, to create useful systems for developers and engineers.
Software Developer
Salary: $95,483
Software development is one of the most popular tech jobs in the field. This job can vary from developing video games to creating medical imaging software. Software engineers are highly prized in all fields and industries.
Systems Administrator
Salary: $81,385
Systems administrators work with network systems to make sure they are running smoothly for software developers and DevOps engineers. BLS states that the job outlook for network and computer systems administrators between 2021 to 2031 is three percent, which is lower than for other professions.
DevOps Team Structure: Common Roles on a DevOps Team
The typical DevOps team structure includes automation architects and engineers, release managers, quality experts, evangelists, and product owners. However, the exact roles on a DevOps team can vary depending on the project goals. Keep reading to learn more about common DevOps roles and what they entail.
- Automation architect/DevOps engineer. An automation architect plays the crucial role of finding opportunities to optimize processes to ensure the rapid completion of a project.
- Release manager. A release manager’s role is similar to that of a project manager. Within a DevOps team, they are in charge of planning and managing the project using Agile methodologies.
- Quality assurance specialist. As the name suggests, the quality assurance specialist is in charge of testing to make sure that the product meets the requirements laid out in the planning stage.
- DevOps evangelist. A DevOps evangelist is in charge of promoting the DevOps culture within an organization, ensuring that everyone receives proper training, and removing barriers to enable collaboration among all parties involved.
- Product owner. A product owner is usually in charge of communications with the client. Part of their role is to understand the client’s needs, act as a bridge between them and a team, and ensure that the client’s feedback is taken into consideration.
DevOps Career Path
After you move forward on your DevOps career path, you could be promoted to higher-paying jobs with more responsibility and leadership. Below, we have compiled a list of the different job levels so you can have an idea of what to expect.
Entry-Level DevOps Jobs
- IT Support – This is a typical DevOps entry-level job. These professionals maintain computer networks across multiple systems and servers. IT support works with people who are having issues with hardware and software.
- Agile Software Tester – As an Agile software tester, you should understand the Agile testing concepts and work well on a team. You will help look for bugs and problems in Agile software.
- Junior Software Engineer – As a junior software engineer, you should be able to develop software applications and collaborate with other teams to meet client needs.
Mid-Level DevOps Jobs
- DevOps Engineer – In this position, you’ll integrate IT operations and software development to shorten the product lifecycle. You’ll also ensure continuous improvement of applications and systems features.
- Software Test Analyst – A common DevOps engineer mid-level job, software test analysts test computer hardware or software applications to make sure it is high quality before it gets to the packaging and sales stage.
- Mid-level Systems Engineer – Professionals with up to five years of experience can become mid-level software engineers. You should have experience in software development, writing APIs, and managing databases.
Senior-Level DevOps Jobs
- DevOps Architect – As a DevOps architect, you will lead the infrastructure, development, and deployment of software products to ensure continuous automation.
- Software Test Manager – In this position, you will lead the testing team. You will plan, coordinate, and manage the entire product testing process.
- Lead Systems Engineer – This senior DevOps engineer job description includes being responsible for the entire software development process. You’ll provide progress reports on software design and development.
DevOps Certifications
DevOps certifications are professional qualifications that you can get after completing an exam. These can help you get a job because they verify your skills according to a set of standards. Below is a list of the best DevOps certifications you can use to upskill and move forward in your career.
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
Earning this certification proves that you can test and launch AWS cloud infrastructures. It also means that you can do the same with any cloud application as well. To qualify for an AWS DevOps certification, you should have experience coding with at least one high-level programming language.
Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
When you earn this certification, it will mean that you can improve the design and dependability of cloud services. You’ll demonstrate that you can streamline the Google Cloud by making sure it is efficient and creating CI/CD pipelines to update the cloud software.
Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
The Microsoft DevOps Expert certification guarantees that the earner has a deep understanding and expertise in Azure administration or development. This certification also indicates that you have a proven track record of coding, working with a team, and automating processes to get the fastest updates for customers.
Should You Get a Job in DevOps?
Yes, you should get into DevOps and find a job if you want a stable career in a lucrative field. There are several benefits to choosing a career in DevOps, including a competitive salary and the possibility of growth in whatever field you choose.
Knowledge of DevOps equips you with flexible skills that can be applied to virtually any tech role. It promotes teamwork and collaboration and helps developers complete projects more effectively and with a higher success rate. Learning DevOps is a wise career choice, no matter your path.
DevOps Engineer FAQ
How do Agile and DevOps interrelate?
Agile and DevOps interrelate mainly in the sense that they both share a goal of fostering efficient software development and the creation of high-quality products. While they also have some fundamental differences, both frameworks can be used in conjunction to support teams in the effective creation of software.
Is it hard to get into DevOps?
No, DevOps is not hard to get into. You can become a DevOps engineer without much stress as long as you’re willing to put in the time. With plenty of training programs to choose from in this field and the flexibility of funding, you can get started right away.
What is a common misconception about Agile and DevOps?
A common misconception about Agile and DevOps is that they are impossible to combine due to them having different core values. Agile promotes constant iteration throughout the project cycle, while DevOps focuses on team collaboration to increase efficiency. Both can be, and often are, used in conjunction to maximize quality and efficiency.
Is DevOps Engineering Stressful?
Yes, DevOps can be stressful. However, as you move up the ranks in this field, you get to delegate more and do less technical groundwork. Also, it depends on the scope of your job role, the demand of your employer or client, and the personalities of other teammates you’ll be working with.
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