DevOps has become one of the most in-demand careers in the IT industry, and for good reason. Companies across the globe are racing to automate their software delivery pipelines, and they need skilled professionals to make it happen. If you’re wondering how to become a DevOps engineer, you’ve landed in the right place. At Akira Global Technologies, we work with aspiring tech professionals every day, and this guide breaks down everything – from the skills you need to the DevOps engineer salary you can expect in 2026.
What is DevOps and Why is it a High-Paying Career?
DevOps is a combination of “Development” and “Operations” – a culture and set of practices that bring software developers and IT operations teams together to build, test, and release software faster and more reliably. Instead of working in silos, DevOps engineers use automation, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and cloud infrastructure to speed up the entire software lifecycle.
Because DevOps engineers sit at the intersection of coding, cloud, and infrastructure, they are among the highest-paid and most sought-after professionals in tech today. Organizations like Amazon, TCS, Wipro, Infosys, and Accenture are constantly hiring for this role, which keeps demand – and salaries – consistently high.
How to Become a DevOps Engineer: Step-by-Step Roadmap
If you’re starting from scratch, this practical roadmap explains how to become a DevOps engineer step by step.
Step 1: Learn the Fundamentals of Linux and Networking
Most production servers run on Linux, so understanding the Linux command line, file systems, permissions, and shell scripting is non-negotiable. Pair this with basic networking concepts like DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, load balancing, and firewalls.
Step 2: Master a Programming or Scripting Language
You don’t need to be a full-stack developer, but you do need scripting skills. Python and Bash are the most popular choices for automating tasks, writing deployment scripts, and building tools.
Step 3: Understand Version Control with Git and GitHub
Every DevOps workflow starts with source code management. Learn Git commands, branching strategies, pull requests, and how to work with platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.
Step 4: Get Hands-On with CI/CD Tools
Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) is at the heart of DevOps. Learn tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, or CircleCI to automate build, test, and deployment pipelines.
Step 5: Learn Containerization with Docker and Kubernetes
Docker and Kubernetes skills are now considered essential for any DevOps engineer. Docker helps you package applications into containers, while Kubernetes helps you orchestrate and scale those containers in production environments.
Step 6: Get Cloud Certified (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
Cloud computing skills are one of the biggest salary boosters in DevOps. AWS remains the most in-demand platform, followed by Microsoft Azure (especially in enterprise and banking) and Google Cloud Platform (growing fast in data and AI-driven companies). Consider certifications like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer or Azure DevOps Engineer Expert.
Step 7: Learn Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Tools like Terraform and Ansible let you manage infrastructure through code instead of manual configuration. This is a critical skill that separates junior DevOps engineers from senior ones.
Step 8: Understand Monitoring and Logging Tools
Learn monitoring and observability tools like Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, or Datadog to track application performance and system health in real time.
Step 9: Build Real Projects and a Portfolio
Set up your own CI/CD pipeline, deploy a containerized application on Kubernetes, or automate infrastructure provisioning with Terraform. Recruiters want to see practical, hands-on experience – not just theory.
Step 10: Apply for Internships or Entry-Level DevOps Roles
Once you have the fundamentals and a portfolio, start applying for junior DevOps engineer, cloud support engineer, or site reliability engineer (SRE) roles to get your foot in the door.
At Akira Global Technologies, we’ve seen learners follow this exact roadmap to move from beginner to job-ready DevOps professionals within 6–12 months of focused effort.
Essential DevOps Engineer Skills You Must Have
To become a DevOps engineer, you need to build expertise in the following technical and soft skills
- Linux system administration and shell scripting
- Programming/scripting: Python, Bash, Go
- Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
- Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes
- CI/CD tools: Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions
- Configuration management: Ansible, Chef, Puppet
- Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, CloudFormation
- Monitoring tools: Prometheus, Grafana, Nagios
- Version control: Git and GitHub
- Soft skills: collaboration, problem-solving, and communication
DevOps Certifications That Boost Your Career
Certifications can significantly improve your credibility and salary potential. Some of the most valuable ones include:
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
- Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (Azure)
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Docker Certified Associate
- HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineer Salary Guide 2026 (India & Global)
One of the biggest reasons people choose this career path is the strong DevOps engineer salary potential. Here’s a breakdown based on the latest 2026 market data.
DevOps Engineer Salary in India by Experience
| Experience Level | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
| Fresher (0–1 year) | ₹4 – 6 LPA |
| Early Career (1–4 years) | ₹6 – 10 LPA |
| Mid-Level (3–6 years) | ₹7 – 15 LPA |
| Senior (5+ years) | ₹15 – 25+ LPA |
| Lead/Principal Engineer | ₹25 – 40 LPA and above |
Salary data compiled from multiple 2026 industry sources shows that fresh DevOps engineers with Linux, Git, and basic AWS/CI-CD knowledge typically start around ₹4–6 LPA, while those with Docker and Kubernetes certifications can begin even higher, around ₹5–8 LPA, even without prior experience. On the higher end, professionals with strong Kubernetes, Terraform, and AWS skills are consistently ranked among the highest-paid mid-level tech professionals in India in 2026, largely because large-scale cloud adoption has turned infrastructure-as-code expertise into a premium, high-value skill.
Factors That Influence DevOps Salary
- Cloud platform expertise: AWS-certified engineers tend to command the highest pay due to widespread cloud adoption, followed by Azure (strong in enterprise and banking) and GCP (growing in data and AI-focused companies).
- Certifications: Kubernetes, Terraform, and cloud-specific certifications directly increase earning potential.
- Location: Metro cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai typically offer higher DevOps salaries due to concentrated IT demand.
- Company size and type: Product-based companies and global tech firms generally pay more than traditional service-based companies.
- Years of managerial/architectural experience: Engineers who mentor teams or make architecture decisions earn significantly more.
DevOps Engineer Salary Outside India
Globally, especially in the US and Europe, DevOps salaries are considerably higher due to cost-of-living differences and demand for cloud-native talent. Entry-level roles abroad often start well above their Indian counterparts, with senior and lead DevOps engineers commanding six-figure salaries in USD.
Career Path: From Junior to Senior DevOps Engineer
Understanding how to become a DevOps engineer is the first step; building experience and continuously developing your technical skills can help you progress through different career levels.
- Junior DevOps Engineer – Focuses on basic automation, CI/CD pipeline maintenance, and monitoring.
- DevOps Engineer – Manages infrastructure automation, cloud deployments, and troubleshooting.
- Senior DevOps Engineer – Leads architectural decisions, mentors junior engineers, and optimizes system reliability.
- DevOps Lead / Architect – Owns DevOps strategy across the organization, manages large-scale infrastructure, and drives automation-first culture.
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) / Platform Engineer – A natural next step for experienced DevOps professionals focused on system scalability and uptime.
How Akira IT Solutions Can Help You Become a DevOps Engineer
Breaking into DevOps can feel overwhelming with so many tools and technologies to learn. That’s where Akira IT Solutions comes in. We help learners and professionals build practical, job-ready DevOps skills through structured training, hands-on projects, and real-world cloud environments – so you’re not just learning concepts, but actually building the kind of portfolio that gets you hired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is DevOps a good career in 2026?
Yes, DevOps continues to be one of the fastest-growing and highest-paying roles in IT, driven by rising cloud adoption, automation needs, and demand for faster software delivery across industries.
2. Do I need to know coding to become a DevOps engineer?
You don’t need to be an expert developer, but you do need scripting skills in languages like Python or Bash to automate tasks and write deployment scripts.
3. Can a fresher get a DevOps job with no experience?
Yes, freshers can enter DevOps roles, especially with strong fundamentals in Linux, Git, and basic cloud/CI-CD knowledge. Building personal projects and earning certifications significantly improves your chances.
4. Which certification is best for a DevOps career?
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), and HashiCorp Terraform Associate are among the most valuable certifications for career growth.
5. What is the average DevOps engineer salary in India?
Salaries vary by source and experience, but freshers typically earn ₹4–6 LPA, mid-level professionals earn ₹7–15 LPA, and senior engineers can earn ₹15–25 LPA or more, with lead-level roles going well beyond that.
6. How long does it take to become a DevOps engineer?
With consistent, focused learning, most beginners can become job-ready in 6 to 12 months by mastering Linux, scripting, cloud platforms, CI/CD tools, and containerization.