The rate to hire a DevOps engineer can cost anywhere between the range of $40 to $80 per hour. Do you want to know the detailed cost breakdown for hiring DevOps developers?
Just read the blog post until the end….
Hiring a DevOps engineer is more than just a trend—it’s a strategic move for businesses that want to optimize workflows, enhance infrastructure, and stay competitive.
But before you start the hiring process, it’s crucial to understand the costs involved. So, what can you expect to pay for a DevOps engineer in 2025?
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- Why Hiring a DevOps Engineer is a Game-Changer
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire a DevOps Engineer in 2025?
- DevOps Engineer Hourly Rates: A Clear Breakdown
- How to Hire a DevOps Engineer in 2025
- Key Skills and Tech Stack Every DevOps Engineer Needs
Table of Contents
Why Hiring a DevOps Engineer is a Game-Changer?

If your business needs faster deployments, better collaboration between development and operations, or enhanced security, a DevOps engineer can provide exactly that. Here’s how bringing on a DevOps engineer can significantly impact your business:
1. Speedy Deployments
Automation is key here. DevOps engineers streamline processes, enabling faster software delivery and reducing time to market. According to a 2023 study by Gartner, companies that implement DevOps practices see a 60% improvement in software deployment speed.
2. Stronger Team Collaboration
They bridge the gap between your development and operations teams, fostering better communication and higher productivity.
3. Built-in Security
With security integrated throughout the development lifecycle, potential threats are caught early, keeping your infrastructure safe.
4. Cost Efficiency
Automating repetitive tasks and reducing resource waste leads to significant savings in operational costs.
As Gene Kim, a DevOps expert and author of The Phoenix Project, puts it:
“DevOps fosters collaboration, breaking down silos and creating a culture of shared responsibility, which results in faster problem resolution and higher efficiency”.
5. Seamless Scalability
DevOps engineers design systems that can easily scale up as your business grows, ensuring uninterrupted DevOps services.
6. Better User Experience
Fewer bugs and faster updates mean a smoother experience for your customers, ultimately boosting satisfaction.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire DevOps Engineer in 2025?
Curious about the expenditure? Wondering: How much does it cost to hire DevOps engineers? The answer lies in various factors, including location, experience, and specific skill sets, all contributing to the overall expense of acquiring top-tier DevOps talent.
In 2025, if you’re looking to hire DevOps developers, the pay you’ll have to offer will really depend on the location (where you’re hiring) and who you’re hiring.
For instance, if you’re hiring a certified DevOps engineer from a major city, like,, say New York City, you might need to pay around $145,479 on average. It’s a bit of a premium, considering it’s NYC! But if you’re hiring a DevOps engineer from, say Boston, the number drops a bit to around $130,307. It still is a bit pricey, but is more manageable, right?
Secondly, experience plays a crucial role, too. If you want to hire a DevOps developer with 7+ years of experience can expect an average salary of about $149,291. In contrast, if you’re someone with less than a year of experience might charge you around $81,910 on average.
It’s also noted that there are differences in salaries based on gender. Typically, a female DevOps engineer earns an average of $140,403 and men earn about $137,793.
We have summarized the average cost to hire a DevOps engineers across major countries in the tabular column below. (Source: Glassdoor)
Country | Average Base Pay (Per year) | |
Minimum ($) | Maximum ($) | |
United States | $103K | $149K |
United Kingdom | £38K | £61K |
Australia | $94K | $135K |
Brazil | BRL 13K | BRL 32K |
Europe | $99K | $164K |
Canada | $77K | $151K |
UAE | AED 16K /Month | AED 55K/Month |
India | $6,015 (500K INR) | $14,436 (1200K INR) |
As the demand for DevOps professionals continues to grow, the job market has become increasingly competitive. The shortage of individuals with the necessary expertise often results in higher recruitment costs.
So, the cost of hiring a skilled DevOps engineer varies drastically, based on several factors — region, experience, gender, average pay scale of the country, and even the purchasing power parity.
DevOps Engineer Hourly Rate: A Clear Breakdown
To help you visualize the different price points for DevOps engineers, here’s a quick breakdown in table form:
DevOps Engineer Level | Hourly Rate | Description |
---|---|---|
Entry-Level | $20 – $50 | Suitable for small projects or basic DevOps support. |
Mid-Level | $50 – $80 | For more complex DevOps setups, including cloud integration. |
Senior-Level | $80 – $150 | Handles sophisticated infrastructure and high-traffic systems. |
Expert-Level | $150 – $200+ | Provides strategic direction and system-wide optimizations. |
Understanding the hourly rates for DevOps engineers can help you plan your budget efficiently.
According to a 2024 report by PayScale, these rates fluctuate depending on location, industry, and demand, with DevOps experts in North America generally commanding the highest rates.
How to Hire a DevOps Engineer in 2025
Hiring a DevOps engineer isn’t just about finding someone with the right technical skills. It’s about finding the right fit for your business. Here’s how to do it:
1) Identify Your Needs
First, clarify what your business requires from a DevOps engineer.
Are you looking for someone to streamline automation, manage infrastructure, or scale operations?
Outline the specific DevOps tasks and responsibilities so you know the expertise level needed, whether entry-level or senior.
2) Define the Required Skills
Next, list the technical skills necessary for the role. Common requirements include knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerization tools like Docker, and proficiency in scripting languages such as Python or Bash.
Make sure the candidate has strong problem-solving abilities and understands security best practices.
3) Choose a Hiring Model
Decide whether to hire an in-house DevOps engineer, opt for a freelancer, or work with a remote DevOps team.
Each option has its pros and cons.
Freelancers offer flexibility and cost-efficiency, while in-house engineers provide a more integrated approach to long-term projects.
Remote teams allow you to tap into a broader talent pool, especially for specialized skills.
4) Set the Budget and Hourly Rates
Establish a budget based on your hiring model. As discussed, hourly rates for DevOps engineers vary from $20 for entry-level to $200+ for expert-level professionals.
Balance your budget with the skillset required, ensuring you’re paying for the expertise that matches the complexity of your project.
5) Screen Candidates Thoroughly
Review the resumes and portfolios of prospective candidates. Look for experience with the DevOps tools and methodologies relevant to your operations.
Conduct technical interviews and test for hands-on experience with key technologies such as Kubernetes, Jenkins, or Ansible. Additionally, evaluate their communication skills, as DevOps requires cross-functional collaboration.
6) Onboard and Integrate
Once you’ve selected the right candidate, create an onboarding plan that includes introducing them to your systems, team, and workflows. Set clear objectives and milestones to ensure the new hire can quickly adapt and start contributing to your DevOps initiatives.
Key Skills and Tech Stack Every DevOps Engineer Needs
Your project’s complexity will dictate the level of expertise required from a DevOps engineer. Here are the core skills they should possess, depending on their experience level:
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): Basic Linux administration, Git, CI basics (Jenkins), and some cloud platform exposure.
- Mid-Senior (3-4 years): Infrastructure as Code (Terraform), Docker, Kubernetes, monitoring tools like Prometheus, and security best practices.
- Senior (5+ years): Advanced automation, cloud architecture design, disaster recovery, and leadership abilities.
Why Choose Apptha to Hire Remote DevOps Engineers?

When it comes to hiring DevOps engineers, Apptha offers a unique combination of expertise, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
As a trusted name among DevOps service providers, Apptha stands out for its commitment to delivering reliable and scalable solutions. Here’s why Apptha should be your go-to choice:
- Access to Top Talent: Apptha connects you with over 350+ skilled DevOps engineers with proven experience in cloud platforms, automation, and more.
- Flexible Hiring Models: Whether you need full-time, part-time, or hourly support, Apptha adapts to your business needs.
- Competitive Pricing: Get access to high-quality talent without the high-end costs, ensuring you get value for every dollar spent.
- Quick Onboarding: Apptha’s streamlined process ensures you can hire a DevOps engineer within two days, so your projects don’t face unnecessary delays.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a DevOps engineer can revolutionize your business, but it’s important to understand both the benefits and the costs involved.
Partnering with DevOps outsourcing companies allows you to access a wide range of expertise, whether you need an entry-level engineer or an expert in automation and scalability.
DevOps can help streamline your operations, improve customer experience, and reduce costs.
And when you’re ready to hire, Apptha offers an easy, flexible, and affordable solution.
Informative and timely! Your post delivers essential insights into the costs of hiring a DevOps engineer in a concise manner. It’s a valuable resource for businesses needing quick decision-making.
Fantastic breakdown! The blog provides a quick and insightful guide on the costs of hiring a DevOps engineer in 48 hours. This is invaluable information for businesses looking to streamline their processes.
The article does a great job of breaking down the different cost factors involved in hiring a DevOps engineer. It’s a valuable resource for businesses looking to make informed decisions about their hiring strategies.
As someone exploring the possibility of hiring a DevOps engineer, this article has been incredibly insightful. It’s reassuring to know that while costs can vary significantly, there are strategies mentioned here to optimize hiring budgets.
Hello, After reading this insightful article, I’m seriously considering hiring a DevOps team for our project. Understanding the costs involved, especially within a tight 48-hour timeframe, is crucial for planning and budgeting effectively
Hi, I appreciate the breakdown of costs based on experience levels and geographic location. It highlights the importance of considering both technical expertise and local market conditions when estimating hiring expenses.
This article serves as a valuable resource for both employers and aspiring DevOps engineers alike. It offers insights into industry standards and trends that can inform salary negotiations and career decisions.
As someone new to the world of DevOps, this article has been incredibly informative. The detailed breakdown of costs and the importance of hiring the right team resonate with me as we embark on our project journey.
Hi team, The goal is to build a customizable dashboard to review data analytics from a Radiology department. So we are looking to hire DevOps developers for our project. Kindly help us out.
We are looking for DevOps engineer hire to streamline our DevOps operations. And please let me know DevOps consultation is also possible?
Thank you.
We are actively looking for hiring DevOps engineer to join our team, so I want quote for the same.
Hello,
We are looking to hire DevOps programmer to streamline our process, primarily we are looking for IT partner. Please send me more information.
We are looking for hiring DevOps engineer to get our marketplace based product developed. It includes publishers and advertisers, where publishers can add their offerings and advertisers can buy it.
We have the UI ready for the project, and want to get the frontend and backend built.
Hi, we are currently a team of 3 devops engineers and need to focus on our own roadmaps, we are thinking to hire DevOps engineer 1 just to resolve the tickets on day to day basis.
Hello,
I hope you are doing well.
We want to hire DevOps resources on contract basis. Please share the requirements via mail.
We’re looking to hire DevOps developers on a contract basis to help our DevOps team. We need skilled developers to streamline our development processes. Please connect vis mail.
Hi team, We are looking for DevOps engineers for hire where we can outsource our devops operations.
Thank you.
How does the Infrastructure as Code(IaC) benefit my organization?
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) allows for automation, consistent & repeatable infrastructure management. It reduces the human error, speeds up the deployment & ensures the infrastructure is scalable & version controlled which will enhance the overall efficiency & reliability.
We are now looking to hire a DevOps engineer for our company to build a beautiful, crisp and responsive user interface in which the user is able to create dashboards and customize metrics on each dashboard.
How can DevOps developers can improve the collaboration within my development team?
A DevOps engineer improves collaboration by implementing the CI/CD pipelines, automating workflows & fostering culture of open communication. They’ll bridge the gap between the development and operations, ensuring everyone is aligned & working efficiently towards common goal.
Is it worth investing in hiring a DevOps engineer?
Yes, investing in hiring DevOps engineers is worth. Because their expertise in streamlining the processes, automating the workflows & improving the system reliability leads to significant long-term savings & more productivity, outweighing the initial costs.
When is the right time to hire a DevOps engineer for my startup company?
When your development team exceeds three members you can start thinking about the Hiring a DevOps engineer in your startup. That will be right time to integrate DevOps practices with the essential growth, ensuring the efficient scaling & robust the security measures.
What role do DevOps engineers play in risk management?
DevOps engineers play an important role in risk management by continuously monitoring systems, identifying potential issues early & implementing preventive measures. Their proactive approach minimizes the risk of system failures & security breaches.
How to determine the best engagement model for hiring a DevOps engineer?
Choose an engagement model based on the project needs: full time for ongoing improvements, contract based for short term projects, outsourcing for end to end solutions, or freelancers for on-demand support. Match these models to your project’s duration, complexity & budget.
What are factors should I consider when hiring a DevOps engineer?
When you hire DevOps engineers you should have to consider their experience, technical skills & cultural fit. Also look at their ability to manage complex problems & their expertise in relevant tools & technologies. The location can also impact the cost of hiring DevOps engineers.
What skills should I have to look for when hiring a DevOps engineer?
When hiring DevOps engineers look for skills in automation tools, cloud platforms, coding, system administration & continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD). Strong problem-solving abilities & knowledge of the specific industry standards are also more important.
Why is the cost to hire a DevOps engineer so high?
The cost to hire DevOps engineers is high because the demand-supply gap, specialized skills requirement & the impact they have on business. Experienced engineers especially in high-cost areas command high cost salaries reflecting their value in optimizing processes.
What are the skills should I prioritize when hiring a DevOps engineer?
You should have to prioritize the skills in cloud platforms (AWS & Azure), containerization (Docker & Kubernetes), CI/CD tools, and scripting languages (Python & Java). Look for the experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform & Ansible) and strong problem solving abilities.
Can hiring a DevOps engineer really save money?
Yes, hiring a DevOps engineer can save money by reducing operational inefficiencies, cutting unnecessary costs & automating routine task. Their role in optimizing processes & systems help prevent costly downtime & improves the resource utilization.
How does the location will influence the cost of hiring DevOps engineers?
Location will impact the cost to hire DevOps engineers undoubtedly. In regions with a higher cost of living such as major cities the salaries will be higher to match living expenses. Remote hires from lower cost areas can be more budget friendly.
How can DevOps practices can lead to the cost savings in long run?
DevOps practices reduce manual tasks through automation leading to fewer errors & less downtime. Hiring DevOps engineers can streamline the processes, optimize resource use and improve overall efficiency resulting in significant long-term cost savings.
How do DevOps engineers can handle the security within the development process?
DevOps engineers integrate security practices into development pipeline known as DevSecOps. When you hire DevOps engineer they automate security checks and ensure compliance, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing the overall security of your applications.
Can you explain me that how can I measure the success of a DevOps engineer in my team?
Sure, Measuring the success by tracking key performance indicators(KPI) such as deployment frequency, lead time for changes, mean time to recovery and change failure rate. Effective DevOps engineers will show improvements in these metrics and make reflecting their positive impact on your processes.
How can I validate the high cost of hiring a DevOps engineer?
The high cost of hiring DevOps engineers is justified by their ability to streamline workflows, automate processes & improve efficiency which can lead to significant long term savings & faster product delivery.
What are the key skills to look for when hiring a DevOps developer?
When hiring a DevOps developer, look at the skills in cloud platforms, automation tools, coding, system management and strong problem solving abilities. Experience with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code is very important one.
How does the location influence the cost of hiring a DevOps engineer?
The location will influence the cost of hiring DevOps engineers due to the varying living costs and market demand. Hiring in high-cost cities like NYC or San Francisco can be high when compared to the other regions.
Can a DevOps engineer really help reduce costs?
Yes definitely, hiring DevOps engineers can reduce costs by automating repetitive tasks, minimizing downtime & optimizing resources which can leads to more efficient and cost-effective operations.
Why there is such high demand for DevOps engineers?
The demand for DevOps engineers is high because they connect the gap between development and operations, enabling faster more reliable software delivery and improving overall efficiency and scalability.
How does a DevOps engineer improve customer experience?
A DevOps engineer improves customer experience by implementing the continuous feedback loops and ensuring quick, seamless updates, which keep products up-to-date and responsive to user needs.
What are the industries benefit the most from hiring DevOps engineers?
Industries like IT tech, finance, healthcare & e-commerce benefit greatly when they hire DevOps developers due to their need for reliable, scalable and secure software systems.
How can I confirm that was a good cultural fit when hiring a DevOps engineer?
To ensure a good cultural fit when hiring DevOps engineers, assess candidate’s teamwork skills, adaptability & alignment with your company values during the interview process.
Is it worth hiring a junior DevOps developer?
Hiring a junior DevOps developer can be worth, if you have a strong training program and senior mentors or any trainers, as they can grow into valuable team members while bringing fresh perspectives.
How do DevOps engineers help with risk management?
DevOps engineers help with risk management by implementing continuous monitoring, proactive troubleshooting and efficient incident response, reducing the likelihood and impact of system failures.
What’s the difference in cost between hiring a DevOps engineer in the US & India?
The cost to hire DevOps developers in the US can be probably higher than in India, where salaries are generally lower due to the differences in living costs and market rates.
How do I find the best DevOps engineers?
To hire the best DevOps engineers you have to utilize the job boards, professional networks and specialized platforms & conduct thorough technical assessments and the cultural fit interviews.
What are the benefits of the continuous improvement in DevOps?
Continuous improvement in DevOps leads to the better software quality, faster delivery and more innovative solutions, keeping your business competitive and responsive to the changes.
How can a small business benefit from hiring a DevOps developer?
A small business can benefit greatly when they hire DevOps developers by gaining efficiencies in workflow automation, reducing time to market & improving product reliability, which can be essential for growth.
How can DevOps engineers helps in managing the complex IT environments?
DevOps engineers use advanced tools & automations to manage the complex IT environments efficiently. When you hire DevOps engineers they ensure good integration, monitoring and scaling of your infrastructure making it easier to handle complexities.
What are some of the common challenges faced when hiring DevOps engineers?
Common challenges can include finding candidates with the right skill set, high demand driving up costs & ensuring a good cultural fit. Overcoming these challenges will requires a thorough recruitment process and competitive compensation when you hire DevOps developers.
How important is for a DevOps engineer to have experience with the cloud platforms?
Experience with cloud platforms is important for the DevOps engineers as many modern infrastructures rely on the cloud services. Hire DevOps engineers with cloud expertise for scalable solutions, improve flexibility and optimize resource management.
How does a DevOps engineer can contribute to the better customer experience?
DevOps engineers enhance the customer experience by ensuring continuous delivery and quick updates, leading to more reliable & high-quality software. When you hire DevOps developers they set up feedback loops to rapidly address customer needs and issues.
Can DevOps engineers improve my team’s productivity?
Absolutely! Hire DevOps engineers to automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows and to improve collaboration between the teams. This leads to increased productivity allowing your team to focus on innovation and strategic initiatives.
What is long-term benefit can I expect from hiring a DevOps engineer?
Long-term benefits includes streamlined operations, enhanced team collaboration, faster software releases and reduced operational costs. Hiring DevOps engineers also fosters the culture of continuous improvement and innovation within your organization.
What should be the main focus when integrating a new DevOps engineer into my existing team?
Focus on clear communication of your goals and processes. Ensure your new DevOps engineer understands your existing infrastructure and has access to the necessary resources. Facilitate their integration by encouraging collaboration with other team members.
What are the benefits of hiring remote DevOps developers?
Hiring remote DevOps developers will offers you flexibility, access to a global talent pool and often lower costs. By choosing to hire DevOps developers remotely you can ensure your team works across time zones, increasing productivity and accelerating project timelines.