DevOps vs Developer Salary in India: A Complete Salary Comparison Guide for 2025

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In the ever-evolving world of technology, DevOps and Software Development have emerged as two of the most in-demand and rewarding career paths in India. With the IT sector expanding rapidly and organizations embracing automation, cloud, and agile workflows, both DevOps Engineers and Software Developers play critical roles in delivering high-quality digital solutions. However, one question that often arises among tech aspirants is — Who earns more: DevOps Engineers or Software Developers in India?

This blog provides a detailed comparison of DevOps vs Developer salary in India, covering average pay scales, skill requirements, growth prospects, job demand, and key factors that influence earnings.

Table of Contents

Overview of DevOps and Software Development
Roles and Responsibilities
Skillsets Comparison
Salary Comparison: DevOps vs Developer in India (2025)
Salary by Experience Level
Salary by Location
Salary by Industry and Company Size
Salary Growth Trends and Future Outlook
How to Increase Your Salary in DevOps and Development
Final Thoughts

1. Overview of DevOps and Software Development

Before comparing salaries, it’s important to understand what DevOps and Software Development roles involve.

DevOps is a combination of “Development” and “Operations.” It bridges the gap between software development and IT operations to streamline software delivery, automate workflows, and ensure faster deployment cycles.

Software Developers, on the other hand, design, code, test, and maintain applications. They are primarily responsible for developing software products, mobile apps, and web applications that solve business problems.

Key Differences at a Glance

DevOps Engineers focus on automating, deploying, and maintaining applications.
Software Developers focus on writing code and building software solutions.
DevOps requires knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, cloud computing, and infrastructure automation.
Developers require expertise in programming languages and frameworks.

2. Roles and Responsibilities

DevOps Engineer Responsibilities

Implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines
Monitoring system performance and reliability
Automating infrastructure using tools like Docker, Jenkins, and Kubernetes
Ensuring seamless collaboration between development and operations teams
Managing cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud

Software Developer Responsibilities

Writing efficient, clean, and reusable code
Debugging and fixing software issues
Collaborating with designers and QA teams
Creating software documentation and APIs
Keeping up with the latest programming tools and trends

Both roles require problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, and technical expertise. However, DevOps Engineers tend to work on deployment and automation, while Developers focus on coding and building features.

3. Skillset Comparison: DevOps vs Developer

Essential Skills for DevOps Engineers

Knowledge of Linux and scripting languages (Python, Bash, Shell)
Hands-on experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Proficiency in CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, and CircleCI
Expertise in containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (Terraform, Ansible)
Monitoring and log management tools like Prometheus and Grafana

Essential Skills for Software Developers

Strong foundation in programming languages (Java, Python, C++, JavaScript, etc.)
Understanding of data structures and algorithms
Familiarity with front-end and back-end frameworks (React, Angular, Spring Boot, Django)
Experience with version control tools (Git, GitHub)
Basic knowledge of database management systems (MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL)

The skillsets overlap slightly, but DevOps requires a broader understanding of systems and automation tools, while developers focus deeply on programming.

4. DevOps vs Developer Salary in India (2025)

Salary differences depend on experience, skills, job location, and the type of organization. However, industry data and current market trends show that DevOps Engineers generally earn higher salaries than Software Developers due to their expertise in automation, cloud, and system integration.

Average Annual Salary Comparison (2025 Estimates)

Role Average Salary (INR) Salary Range (INR)

DevOps Engineer ₹9,00,000 per year ₹5,00,000 – ₹22,00,000
Software Developer ₹6,50,000 per year ₹3,00,000 – ₹18,00,000

Why DevOps Engineers Earn More

High demand for cloud and automation expertise
Shortage of skilled DevOps professionals
Greater involvement in deployment and infrastructure automation
Integration of security (DevSecOps) adding more value

5. Salary by Experience Level

Experience plays a major role in determining pay in both fields.

DevOps Engineer Salary by Experience

Entry-Level (0–2 years): ₹5,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 per year
Mid-Level (3–6 years): ₹9,00,000 – ₹14,00,000 per year
Senior-Level (7+ years): ₹15,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 per year

Software Developer Salary by Experience

Entry-Level (0–2 years): ₹3,50,000 – ₹6,00,000 per year
Mid-Level (3–6 years): ₹7,00,000 – ₹12,00,000 per year
Senior-Level (7+ years): ₹12,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 per year

Observation: While both careers offer strong growth, DevOps Engineers tend to reach higher salary brackets faster due to the complexity and cross-functional nature of their roles.

6. Salary by Location in India

Salary packages vary across cities based on demand, cost of living, and the presence of IT companies.

City DevOps Engineer Average Salary Software Developer Average Salary

Bangalore ₹10–18 LPA ₹7–14 LPA
Hyderabad ₹9–16 LPA ₹6–12 LPA
Pune ₹8–15 LPA ₹5–10 LPA
Chennai ₹7–13 LPA ₹5–9 LPA
Delhi NCR ₹8–14 LPA ₹5–11 LPA

7. Salary by Industry and Company Size

Top Industries Offering High Salaries

Cloud Computing and Infrastructure Services
E-commerce and Retail Tech
Banking, Financial Services, and FinTech
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Startups

DevOps Engineers in cloud and AI-driven companies often earn 20–30% higher packages compared to developers in traditional IT roles.

8. Salary Growth Trends and Future Outlook

With the rapid shift toward cloud computing, automation, and DevSecOps, the demand for DevOps professionals in India is expected to grow exponentially.

At the same time, the need for skilled developers remains strong due to continuous digital transformation.

Emerging Trends:

AI-driven DevOps (AIOps) is increasing demand for hybrid skill sets.
Developers are expected to learn DevOps tools to stay competitive.
Companies are offering higher pay packages for professionals who can bridge both domains (Full Stack + DevOps).
By 2028, DevOps job roles in India are projected to grow by over 35%, while developer roles will expand by 25%.

9. How to Increase Your Salary in DevOps and Development

To boost your salary in either domain, focus on continuous learning and skill enhancement.

For DevOps Engineers:

Master CI/CD and containerization tools.
Gain cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP).
Learn Infrastructure as Code and security automation.
Explore AI and Machine Learning integration in DevOps.

For Developers:

Strengthen your knowledge of frameworks and programming languages.
Learn full-stack development (front-end + back-end).
Get exposure to cloud-based deployment.
Build open-source projects and contribute to GitHub.

10. Final Thoughts: Which Career Pays Better?

Both DevOps Engineers and Software Developers are essential pillars of the IT ecosystem. While developers create applications, DevOps engineers ensure their smooth deployment, scalability, and reliability.

In terms of salary, DevOps Engineers currently earn more in India due to the specialized skills and automation expertise they bring. However, with the right skill combination, software developers can also transition into DevOps or full-stack roles to enhance their earning potential.

Key Takeaways

DevOps Engineers earn 20–30% more than software developers on average.
Both roles have excellent growth prospects in India.
Upskilling in cloud, automation, and coding is the key to higher pay.

Choose your path based on interest, not just salary — passion plus skill equals success.

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