Are you considering a career in DevOps engineering in the UK, or looking to benchmark your current compensation? We hope our detailed breakdown of the average DevOps Engineer wage in UK landscape will help you make an informed decision.
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 308 DevOps engineering positions across the UK to provide insights into the DevOps Engineer salary landscape. This article details the DevOps Engineer salary in the UK for 2025, exploring how much DevOps engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the data.
Average DevOps Engineer Salary in UK
The median UK DevOps Engineer salary is £72,542 per year or £34.88 per hour. This figure provides insight into how much DevOps engineers make in the UK and serves as a benchmark for the DevOps engineering salaries in the country. When considering the DevOps average salary UK, it’s important to note that this can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and specialization.
Salary Range Overview
Table of Contents
Required Educational Level and DevOps Engineer Qualifications
DevOps engineering positions in the UK predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over 75% of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. Interestingly, those with certifications earn competitive salaries, suggesting that specialized technical certifications such as AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer Expert, or Puppet Certified Professional can be valuable alternatives to advanced degrees for boosting your DevOps engineering salaries.
Required Years of Experience and DevOps Engineer Wage Progression
The data shows a significant salary jump between years 2 and 3, where DevOps engineers see their compensation increase by over 73%. This suggests that the transition from junior to intermediate level represents a critical career milestone for DevOps engineers in the UK, significantly impacting how much a DevOps Engineer salary increases as they gain work experience. The Junior DevOps engineer salary UK typically starts around £52,000, with potential for rapid growth as skills develop.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 4.29% | 7 |
| 2 years | 12.88% | 21 |
| 3 years | 35.58% | 58 |
| 4 years | 8.59% | 14 |
| 5 years | 33.13% | 54 |
| 8 years | 5.52% | 9 |
Seniority Level and Total Pay
The progression from entry-level to manager represents a 189% increase in compensation, highlighting the value of experience and leadership capabilities in the DevOps engineering field. This data provides insights into the potential for career advancement and salary growth in the profession, including roles such as DevOps architect, platform engineer, and engineering manager. The Senior DevOps engineer salary can reach up to £90,425 on average, reflecting the value of extensive experience in the field.
Cities with Highest DevOps Engineer Salary in UK
| City | Region | Average Annual Salary (GBP) | Average Hourly Rate (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | West Midlands | £120,000 | £57.70 |
| London | Greater London | £74,968 | £36.04 |
| Manchester | North West England | £73,827 | £35.50 |
| Basingstoke | South East England | £72,542 | £34.88 |
| Chipping Norton | South East England | £71,120 | £34.19 |
| Farnborough | South East England | £71,120 | £34.19 |
| Salisbury | South West England | £66,040 | £31.75 |
| Stafford | West Midlands | £66,040 | £31.75 |
Birmingham surprisingly leads with the highest DevOps Engineer salary in the UK, offering significantly higher DevOps engineering wages than traditional tech hubs. This may be attributed to the growing tech sector and digital transformation initiatives in the region. The DevOps engineer salary London remains competitive at £74,968, reflecting its status as the UK’s tech capital. Other cities like Bristol, Cambridge, and Edinburgh also offer attractive compensation packages for DevOps professionals.
Top Paying Companies in UK
Here is a list of the top companies that consistently offer above-average salaries for DevOps engineers in the UK, representing some of the highest paying DevOps engineering jobs in the country:
Highest Paying Employers
| Company | Average Annual Salary (GBP) | Average Hourly Rate (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| InfluxData | £120,000 | £57.70 |
| Sprout.ai | £91,440 | £43.96 |
| IdentityE2E | £81,280 | £39.08 |
| Linux Recruit | £79,669 | £38.30 |
| Pulselive | £72,542 | £34.88 |
| VoCoVo | £71,120 | £34.19 |
| Smartedge Solution | £69,169 | £33.26 |
| Sopra Steria | £68,580 | £32.98 |
| Audley | £66,040 | £31.75 |
| OnBuy | £66,040 | £31.75 |
These organizations span diverse industry sectors including data infrastructure, AI/ML platforms, cybersecurity, and e-commerce, indicating strong demand for DevOps engineering expertise across multiple industries. Other popular companies known for competitive DevOps salaries include IBM, Accenture, and Capgemini, especially in sectors like finance and IT and Tech.
How to Maximize Your Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimize your DevOps Engineer salary in the UK:
- Pursue Advanced Education Strategically – While a bachelor’s degree opens doors, a master’s degree or PhD can significantly increase your earning potential
- Focus on the 2-3 Year Experience Mark – The most significant salary increase occurs at this career stage
- Develop Leadership Skills – Progression to senior and management roles offers the highest compensation potential
- Obtain Professional Certifications – Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP) and container orchestration (Kubernetes) can boost earning potential
Key Skills to Develop:
- Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
- Container Technologies: Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift
- CI/CD Tools: Jenkins, GitLab CI, CircleCI, GitHub Actions
- Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation
- Monitoring & Logging: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack
- Programming Languages: Python, Go, Bash scripting
Check out the major DevOps Engineering Skills to develop at Top DevOps Engineering Skills Required in 2025
Future Trends in DevOps Engineering Salaries
The DevOps engineering field in the UK continues to evolve, with increasing focus on:
- GitOps and Infrastructure Automation: Advanced deployment strategies
- Security Integration (DevSecOps): Embedding security throughout the pipeline
- AI/ML Operations: MLOps and AIOps practices
- Multi-cloud Strategies: Managing complex hybrid environments
- Serverless Architecture: Function-as-a-Service implementations
Engineers who develop expertise in these emerging areas are likely to command premium salaries as UK companies accelerate their digital transformation initiatives. The demand for DevOps engineers is expected to grow, particularly in fintech, healthcare technology, and e-commerce sectors, positively impacting the job market and opportunities in the field.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 308 publicly available DevOps engineering salaries in the UK. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analysed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The data analysis provides the most up-to-date information on how much DevOps engineers make in the UK, including insights into the DevOps salary trajectory across various career stages.
Conclusion
The DevOps engineering profession offers strong earning potential across the UK, with the median DevOps Engineer salary reaching £72,542 annually. While education provides a foundation, experience and specialization significantly influence salary levels. Location choices and industry selection have equally important impacts on total compensation.
For DevOps engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, a strategic approach combining technical skill development, professional certification, and leadership capabilities is essential. Understanding salary trends and market demands will help you negotiate competitive compensation packages and advance your career effectively.
If you’re wondering how to become a DevOps engineer UK, focus on building a strong foundation in software development and systems administration, pursue relevant certifications, and gain hands-on experience with key DevOps tools and practices. With the right skills and experience, you can tap into the numerous DevOps jobs UK market offers, with opportunities ranging from entry-level positions to senior roles in top companies.
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