DevOps Engineer Salary in Remote (2026)
In 2026, remote DevOps Engineers in the United States earn between $125,451 and $173,795 annually, with a median salary of $149,623. This reflects the growing demand for DevOps expertise in the tech industry.
Salary by Experience Level
- Entry-Level (0–2 years): $85,000–$110,000
- Mid-Level (3–5 years): $110,000–$145,000
- Senior-Level (6–9 years): $140,000–$180,000
- Lead/Principal (10+ years): $150,000–$180,000+
How Remote Compares
Remote DevOps Engineer salaries are competitive with major tech hubs. For instance, in San Francisco, salaries range from $145,000 to $200,000, while in New York, they range from $135,000 to $185,000. Remote positions offer flexibility without significant pay cuts.
Skills That Command Premium
- Cloud Certifications: AWS, Azure, or GCP certifications can increase salaries by 15–25%.
- Programming Languages: Proficiency in Python, Go, or Ruby is highly valued.
- Automation Tools: Experience with Terraform, Ansible, or Puppet enhances earning potential.
- Security Practices: Knowledge of DevSecOps principles is increasingly important.
- Monitoring Tools: Familiarity with Prometheus, Grafana, or ELK stack is beneficial.
Work Culture & Benefits
Remote DevOps roles often offer flexible schedules, opportunities for professional development, and comprehensive benefits packages. Companies like Automattic and Zapier emphasize work-life balance and continuous learning.
Highlights
- Remote DevOps Engineers earn between $125,451 and $173,795 annually.
- Median salary for remote DevOps Engineers is $149,623.
- Top companies hiring remotely include Automattic, Elastic, and Canonical.
- Cloud certifications can boost salaries by 15–25%.
- Remote positions offer flexibility comparable to major tech hubs.
Career Advice
To maximize earning potential, focus on obtaining cloud certifications and mastering automation tools. Staying updated with industry trends and continuously improving your skill set will make you a competitive candidate in the remote DevOps job market.
FAQs
Question: What is the average salary for a remote DevOps Engineer in 2026?
Answer: The average salary is approximately $149,623 per year.Question: Do remote DevOps Engineers earn less than those in major tech hubs?
Answer: No, remote salaries are competitive and often comparable to those in major tech hubs.Question: Which certifications can increase a DevOps Engineer's salary?
Answer: Certifications in AWS, Azure, or GCP can increase salaries by 15–25%.Question: What are the top companies hiring remote DevOps Engineers?
Answer: Companies like Automattic, Elastic, Canonical, Zapier, and Toggl are actively hiring.Question: What skills are essential for a remote DevOps Engineer?
Answer: Key skills include CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, cloud platforms, containerization, and scripting languages.
Top Hiring Companies
DevOps Engineer Insights — Remote
DevOps Engineer salaries in Remote range from $125,451 to $173,795, a 32% spread indicating moderate variation depending on seniority and employer. The median of $149,623 sits near or above the midpoint, indicating strong market demand pushing compensation upward.
Remote's cost of living index of 100/100 makes it one of the more expensive locations for tech professionals. While the $149,623 median is competitive, housing and daily expenses consume a larger share of income compared to lower-cost cities.
The hiring landscape for devops engineer in Remote is anchored by employers like Automattic, Elastic, and Canonical, along with 2 other notable employers. These employers offer competitive packages that generally align with market rates, with differentiation coming through benefits, growth opportunities, and work flexibility.
Demand for devops engineer in Remote centers around expertise in Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), plus 2 other core competencies. Candidates with strong proficiency across these areas tend to command offers closer to the $173,795 ceiling, and have natural transition paths into roles like Site Reliability Engineer or Cloud Engineer.
Related Roles in Remote
Explore salary information for similar positions and compare compensation across different roles.
| Role | Location | Salary Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontend Engineer | Remote | $80,000 - $250,000 | $130,000 |
| UX Designer | Remote | $52,000 - $205,000 | $120,866 |
| Cloud Architect | Remote | $140,000 - $200,000 | $170,000 |
| Full Stack Developer | Remote | $50,000 - $180,000 | $115,000 |
| Product Manager | Remote | $5,000 - $240,000 | $121,292 |
| Security Engineer |
DevOps Engineer Salaries by City
Compare devops engineer compensation across different locations
More Tech Salaries in Remote
Explore other tech roles and their compensation in Remote
📚 Related Articles
DevOps Engineer Salary in 2026: 6 Cities Compared
What DevOps engineers actually earn in San Francisco, Seattle, New York, London, Berlin, and remote — with real 2026 data.
The 14 Highest Paying Tech Jobs in 2026
Which tech roles pay the most? We ranked all 14 major tech positions by salary data from 113 cities worldwide.
7 Signs You're Underpaid (And What to Do)
How to figure out your real market value — and close the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I earn less working remotely as a DevOps Engineer?
It depends on the company's compensation policy. Remote-first companies with global pay scales (like GitLab and Automattic) pay the same regardless of location. Most other companies adjust salaries based on your location - you might earn less than SF rates but typically more than local rates.
How do taxes work for remote international DevOps Engineer positions?
Tax obligations generally depend on where you live (tax residency), not where your employer is based. Many companies use Employer of Record (EOR) services like Deel or Remote.com to handle international payroll legally. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Do remote DevOps Engineer roles require specific time zone availability?
It varies by company. US-based companies often require some overlap with US business hours. Remote-first companies with async culture (like GitLab and Doist) are more flexible. Check the job posting for time zone requirements.
What skills are most important for remote DevOps Engineer positions?
Beyond technical skills, remote positions prioritize asynchronous communication, self-management, documentation skills, and proactive collaboration. Experience with remote tools (Slack, Notion, Loom) and a proven track record of delivering independently are highly valued.
Now you know the salary. Can you actually land it?
Paste a DevOps Engineer in Remote job posting. See exactly where you match, where you don't, and how to address gaps in your application.
Free to start. No credit card.