Following our in-depth look at DevOps engineer salary trends, a crucial question arises: What specific skills are required for DevOps engineers to become top candidates and command those higher salaries?
We understand that knowing what to learn is as important as knowing what you’ll earn. That’s why we’ve conducted a follow-up analysis of over 794 DevOps engineering jobs to identify the most in-demand DevOps engineering skills and tools employers are actively seeking in 2025.
Top 12 DevOps Engineering Skills Required Globally
Our analysis of job postings reveals clear patterns in employer requirements. The following DevOps engineering skills and tools were most frequently mentioned across DevOps engineer job descriptions.
Terraform – Mentions: 453
Terraform is an open-source infrastructure as code (IaC) tool that enables DevOps engineers to define, provision, and manage cloud infrastructure using declarative configuration files across multiple cloud providers. It appeard in 57.1% of all DevOps engineering jobs analyzed.
Employers particularly value Terraform proficiency because it enables:
- Multi-cloud infrastructure management
- Version-controlled infrastructure deployments
- Automated provisioning and scaling
- Consistent environment replication
- Cost optimization through infrastructure lifecycle management
Kubernetes – Mentions: 446
Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications across clusters of hosts.Kubernetes, appeared in 56.2% of job listings and is valued for:
- Managing microservices architectures at scale
- Implementing automated rollouts and rollbacks
- Ensuring high availability and fault tolerance
- Optimizing resource utilization
- Enabling seamless application scaling
Python – Mentions: 441
Python is a high-level programming language widely used in DevOps for automation scripting, infrastructure management, API development, and building custom tools for deployment and monitoring. Python proficiency is mentioned in approximately 55.5% of job listings. It is used for the following:
- Writing automation scripts and tools
- Developing infrastructure as code solutions
- Creating custom monitoring and alerting systems
- Building CI/CD pipeline integrations
- Automating cloud resource management
Python is the top skill for Software Engineering and appears in almost all other job listings.
AWS – Mentions: 436
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a comprehensive cloud computing platform offering over 200 services including compute, storage, databases, networking, and developer tools used to build and deploy scalable applications. It appeared in approximately 54.9% of job listings. This platform enables:
- Scalable infrastructure deployment
- Serverless architecture implementation
- Managed services integration
- Cost-effective resource utilization
- Global application distribution
Engineers who can leverage AWS’s extensive service ecosystem, including EC2, S3, Lambda, and EKS, are particularly valuable.
Docker – Mentions: 368
Docker is a platform that uses containerization technology to package applications and their dependencies into portable containers that can run consistently across different computing environments.It appeared in 46.3% of job postings and employers value Docker expertise for:
- Creating consistent development and production environments
- Enabling microservices architecture
- Streamlining application deployment
- Improving resource efficiency
- Facilitating continuous integration and delivery
Git – Mentions: 282
Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes in source code during software development, enabling collaboration among developers and maintaining code history. It is mentioned in approximately 35.5% of job listings. This tool enables:
- Collaborative code development
- Infrastructure as code versioning
- Configuration management
- Automated deployment triggers
- Code review and quality control
Engineers with advanced Git skills, including branching strategies, merge conflict resolution, and Git workflows, are highly valued.
Bash – Mentions: 266
Bash (Bourne Again Shell) is a command-line interface and scripting language used in Unix and Linux systems for automating system administration tasks, deployment processes, and infrastructure management.
Bash scripting appears in approximately 33.5% of job listings, reflecting its importance in Linux-based environments. This skill is valued for:
- Automating routine system tasks
- Creating deployment scripts
- Managing server configurations
- Implementing monitoring solutions
- Streamlining troubleshooting processes
Ansible – Mentions: 264
Ansible is an open-source automation platform that simplifies configuration management, application deployment, and task automation using human-readable YAML syntax without requiring agents on managed nodes. Ansible appears in 33.2% of job postings. Its agentless architecture and simplicity make it valuable for:
- Configuration management at scale
- Automated application deployment
- Infrastructure provisioning
- Compliance and security automation
- Multi-tier orchestration
Jenkins – Mentions: 242
Jenkins is an open-source automation server that enables continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) by automating the building, testing, and deployment of software applications.
Jenkins expertise appears in 30.5% of job listings and it is used for:
- Building automated CI/CD pipelines
- Integrating with various development tools
- Enabling continuous testing
- Facilitating automated deployments
- Supporting plugin ecosystem flexibility
Azure – Mentions: 209
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform offering a wide range of services including virtual machines, databases, AI/ML tools, and DevOps solutions for building, deploying, and managing applications.Azure proficiency appears in approximately 26.3% of job listings,This skill is valued for:
- Enterprise cloud deployments
- Hybrid cloud implementations
- Integration with Microsoft ecosystem
- DevOps toolchain support
- Compliance and security features
Linux – Mentions: 189
Linux is an open-source operating system kernel that forms the foundation of various distributions used extensively in servers, cloud infrastructure, and DevOps environments for its stability, security, and flexibility. It appears in 23.8% of job listings, reflecting its foundational importance in DevOps. This skill encompasses:
- System administration and troubleshooting
- Performance optimization
- Security hardening
- Package management
- Kernel tuning and customization
PowerShell – Mentions: 173
PowerShell is a cross-platform task automation solution consisting of a command-line shell, a scripting language, and a configuration management framework, particularly strong in Windows and Azure environments. PowerShell appears in 21.8% of job postings. This skill enables:
- Windows server automation
- Azure resource management
- Cross-platform scripting
- System configuration management
- Active Directory automation
Developing Your DevOps Engineering Skills Portfolio for the Global Market
To maximize employability in the global DevOps engineering sector, consider these strategic approaches:
Certification and Formal Training
Many of the top DevOps engineering skills identified in our research have associated certification programs. Employers often look favorably upon formal qualifications such as:
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- Docker Certified Associate (DCA)
- Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
- Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
Practical Application and Portfolio Development
Beyond certification, practical demonstration of skills through:
- Personal infrastructure projects on GitHub
- Contributing to open-source DevOps tools
- Building and documenting CI/CD pipelines
- Creating Infrastructure as Code templates
- Developing automation scripts and tools
Join DevOps Communities
Professional communities are essential for staying current with rapidly evolving DevOps practices. Communities like the DevOps Institute, Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), and local DevOps meetups provide networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and access to the latest industry trends. These connections often lead to collaborative projects, mentorship opportunities, and job openings in the DevOps space.
Industry-Specific Skills Breakdown
Understanding which skills are most valued in different industries can help you tailor your learning path and career strategy. Based on our analysis of 794 job postings, here’s how the top DevOps engineering skills align with major industry sectors:
- Technology & Software: Kubernetes, Terraform, AWS, Docker, Python, Git
- Financial Services: Terraform, AWS, Python, Jenkins, Ansible, Security tools
- E-commerce & Retail: AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, Python, Jenkins
- Healthcare: Azure, Terraform, Ansible, Python, Compliance tools
- Media & Entertainment: AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, CDN technologies, Python
- Enterprise & Consulting: Terraform, Azure, AWS, Ansible, PowerShell
This breakdown illustrates where DevOps engineers work across various sectors and the specific skills required in each industry.
Powerful DevOps Engineering Skill Combinations for Career Success
While individual DevOps skills are important, combining complementary technologies creates exponential value. Our analysis reveals these highly effective skill combinations that employers actively seek:
- Cloud DevOps Engineer: AWS/Azure + Terraform + Python + Docker + Kubernetes
- Site Reliability Engineer: Kubernetes + Prometheus + Python + Terraform + Linux
- DevOps Architect: Terraform + Kubernetes + AWS + Ansible + Git
- Platform Engineer: Kubernetes + Docker + Terraform + Python + Jenkins
- Infrastructure Engineer: Terraform + Ansible + AWS/Azure + Python + Bash
- CI/CD Engineer: Jenkins + Git + Docker + Kubernetes + Python
Conclusion
The DevOps engineering landscape continues to evolve with increasing emphasis on infrastructure as code, container orchestration, and multi-cloud expertise. By focusing on in-demand skills like Terraform, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms, aspiring DevOps engineers can position themselves for success. Remember that technical proficiency should be balanced with automation capabilities and continuous learning, as these are essential in the rapidly changing DevOps environment.
The DevOps engineering job outlook remains exceptionally positive, with organizations across all industries recognizing the critical role of DevOps in achieving faster delivery, improved reliability, and enhanced scalability. Understanding DevOps roles and responsibilities is crucial for those looking to excel in this field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is DevOps and what are the most crucial skills for DevOps engineers in 2025? DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten the systems development life cycle while delivering features, fixes, and updates frequently in close alignment with business objectives. The top skills for DevOps engineers in 2025 include proficiency in Infrastructure as Code tools like Terraform, container orchestration with Kubernetes, cloud platforms (AWS/Azure), Python scripting, and containerization with Docker.
Q2. How is the job market outlook for DevOps engineers in 2025? The job market for DevOps engineers in 2025 remains highly promising, with continued strong demand across all industries as organizations accelerate their digital transformation and cloud adoption initiatives.
Q3. What emerging technologies should DevOps engineers focus on? DevOps engineers should focus on GitOps practices, service mesh technologies, serverless architectures, AI/ML operations (MLOps), and advanced observability tools. These technologies are shaping the future of DevOps practices.
Q4. How can DevOps engineers improve their skills for future roles? Engineers can enhance their DevOps skills by pursuing cloud certifications, contributing to open-source projects, building personal infrastructure projects, participating in DevOps communities, and staying current with emerging technologies through continuous learning.
Q5. What is the typical DevOps engineer salary? DevOps engineer salaries vary significantly based on experience, location, and specialization. Entry-level positions typically start around $75,000-$95,000, while experienced engineers can earn $120,000-$180,000 or more annually, with considerable variation by region and industry expertise.
