Is a DevOps Degree Worth It? Paths, Skills, and Career Opportunities Explained

Key takeaways

A DevOps degree can provide you with skills, experience, and knowledge to prepare for a career in the DevOps field.

• According to Zippia, three-fourths of the people working as DevOps engineers have a bachelor’s degree [1]. 

• A DevOps degree helps you build knowledge and experience in both software development and IT operations, which can be an advantage when job searching.

• You can pursue a DevOps career with a degree in computer science or a related field.

Learn more about DevOps degree paths, skills, and career options.

What is a DevOps degree?

A DevOps degree is typically a computer science or related degree with a DevOps focus or specialization, rather than a standalone degree program. This technical discipline combines software development and IT operations, focusing on fast, effective delivery of applications through efficient business processes and automation. While these departments were traditionally separate, DevOps brings them together.

A degree in computer science typically combines academic study with some hands-on components. For example, beyond the classroom, you learn the fundamentals of programming, coding, software development, and IT operations. Learning how to build software is an important element of working in DevOps.

How a degree differs from self-study or certification

A degree differs from a certification or self-study, as it is a comprehensive academic program rather than a short, focused course. However, a certification or self-study course can be a valuable addition to your degree, providing a deeper, more specialized focus on DevOps tools and practices.

Can you get into DevOps without a degree? 

It may be possible to work in the field of DevOps without a degree, but three-fourths of DevOps engineers have a bachelor’s degree, according to data from Zippia [1]. Many employers are looking for those who have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software development, information technology, or a similar field. 

Types of DevOps degree programs

When pursuing a degree for a DevOps career, you have plenty of options. You can choose a subject that interests you as a DevOps specialization, or select the level you study at. Another consideration is whether you prefer a part-time, full-time, or online degree program. 

Bachelor’s degrees in computer science with a DevOps focus

DevOps-focused bachelor’s degrees are usually in computer science majors, where you can choose your specialty. DevOps combines software development (Dev) and production environment operations (Ops), creating a subfield. Therefore, you need expertise in both software development and operations. A computer science degree is one popular choice for gaining a broad knowledge base. 

Master’s programs emphasizing DevOps, cloud, and CI/CD

When you reach a master’s degree level, the programs you can choose from tend to be more specific than bachelor’s degrees, and you can choose a program that homes in on an area of interest. This might focus explicitly on DevOps, or you could concentrate on a subject like cloud technology, continuous integration (CI), or continuous delivery (CD), which are components of DevOps. 

Online and hybrid programs

Online study allows you to set your own schedule and work at your own pace from wherever you feel comfortable working. These remote learning programs are a good option if you have commitments you need to work around and cannot commit to full-time, in-person study. You’ll find both DevOps-focused degree programs at the bachelor’s level and DevOps master’s degree programs available to study online. You may also consider a hybrid program that combines both in-person and online learning.

Read more: How to Become a DevOps Engineer

Core skills and knowledge gained from a DevOps-focused degree

Studying DevOps, in whichever format you choose, provides you with a solid range of skills necessary for work in this industry. DevOps professionals need a combination of workplace skills, foundational technical skills, and specialized skills to excel. 

• Programming and scripting languages: Working in DevOps requires proficiency in languages such as Ruby, Python, and JavaScript. 

• Configuration management: As a DevOps engineer, you'll need skills in configuration management and tools like Puppet and Chef.

• Cloud platforms and infrastructure management: Understanding cloud computing and using Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Google Cloud Platform is important for DevOps. You'll also need skills in infrastructure management to work with organizational structures. 

• Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD): Building, testing, and deploying code requires CI/CD skills and familiarity with tools such as GitLab, GitHub, Jenkins, and CircleCI.

• Monitoring and automation: Monitoring tools such as Datadog and Nagios help you track system performance, while automation skills let you work across Windows, Linux, or other operating systems. 

• Containerization tools: You'll use containerization skills, such as Kubernetes and Docker, to support flexible and advanced architectures. 

• Collaboration: DevOps is a technical field, but you work closely with colleagues across all stages of the project development lifecycle, making strong teamwork skills essential.

The benefits of earning a DevOps degree

DevOps is a growing field, combining software development and IT operations in a way that allows for faster, more efficient software releases. DevOps professionals are in demand and often earn an above-average salary. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of software developers, which encompasses DevOps, is set to grow by 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, which is a much higher predicted rate of growth for a career than the average [2].

A degree in this field can give you a foundation of knowledge as well as hands-on learning experiences that you can build on with a certification. Use your degree to meet potential contacts and maximize networking opportunities. DevOps gives you knowledge and experience in both software development and operations, which can also give you an advantage when job searching.

Complementary certifications and training

In addition to earning a degree for a DevOps career, you can boost your resume with certifications and training programs that complement a degree. DevOps certifications often go deeper into specific skills, tools, and technology than a degree program, allowing you to develop more specialized, industry-ready skills and knowledge. 

Cloud certifications

• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer: This certification is for professionals with two years of experience in AWS, and you can learn advanced technical skills in operating and managing applications on the AWS platform. 

• Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer Expert: This certification is for experienced DevOps professionals with experience in developing with Azure. Skills learned include implementing CI, designing a release strategy, and managing infrastructure as code. 

• Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer: For professionals with at least three years of experience in the field of DevOps, the coursework for this certificate touches on how to maintain a Google Cloud organization, build CI/CD pipelines, and implement site reliability engineering practices.

DevOps tools certifications

• Docker Certified Associate: This foundational certification for Docker users is designed by Docker practitioners to teach real-world Docker skills.

• Certified Kubernetes Administrator: Globally recognized with no entry requirements, this certification provides skills in Kubernetes that can help you advance your career. 

• GitLab Certified DevOps Professional: This certificate showcases your ability to use DevOps capabilities in GitLab by teaching you CI/CD, project management, and other DevOps foundational skills.

Security and compliance certifications

• Prometheus Certified Associate (PCA): A pre-professional certification for engineers or application developers, this certification is for those with interests in monitoring and observability. 

• EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer: This DevOps training program provides skills in infrastructure security, as well as the latest DevOps practices and required tools. 

Is DevOps replaced by AI?

Rather than replace DevOps, AI can enhance your processes. AI can automate repetitive or routine processes, check code and identify bugs, and speed up deployments. For now, AI will likely not replace DevOps as it has not developed enough to understand context and critical analysis, which are essential to the field. 

Career outcomes for DevOps degree graduates

As a graduate with a DevOps degree, you are in a good position to find work as a DevOps engineer or in a more specialized DevOps position if you have bolstered your skills with additional courses and certifications. Your path might include building your experience in technical positions and working up to management or director-level roles. 

Entry-level DevOps engineer roles

As a recent graduate looking for entry-level positions, you can build your experience in a DevOps role to supplement your degree and certifications. This usually means starting in a trainee position or as an intern. If you have one year or less of experience, you would likely be considered an entry-level DevOps engineer.  According to Glassdoor, an entry-level DevOps engineer can earn a median total salary of $118,000 [3].

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of April 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Mid-level cloud or platform engineer positions

Once you’ve developed your experience in an entry-level position, you may move into a more senior DevOps engineering role or work in cloud computing. Possible mid-level roles and salaries include:

• DevOps engineer: $144,000 [4]

• Cloud DevOps engineer: $156,000 [5]

• DevOps infrastructure engineer: $163,000 [6]

• Automation engineer: $118,000 [7]

Advanced or leadership roles

Experience in DevOps might lead you to leadership positions in DevOps specifically, as well as a more general IT position as a director or senior manager. Possibilities include:

• Systems manager: $144,000 [8]

• Information technology director: $177,000 [9]

• DevOps director: $217,000 [10]

Emerging careers in AI/ML ops and site reliability engineering

The AI and DevOps field is growing at a fast rate as more and more DevOps professionals integrate DevOps skills and experience with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools and technology. Site reliability engineering requires you to use AI technology in site reliability engineering operations. Using AI in this field improves system performance, reliability, and operations. Possible positions include:

• Site reliability engineer: $171,000 [11]

• Site reliability engineering manager: $215,000 [12]

How to choose a degree for DevOps careers

Choosing the right DevOps degree program for you comes down to personal preference, goals, resources, time available, and how you like to learn. When evaluating different programs, think about the following:

• Examine how well the curriculum aligns with your career goals.

• Think about how you like to learn. Some programs are very hands-on, while others may take a more theoretical approach.

• Consider the reputation of a college and research any industry partners.

• Technology is constantly evolving. Consider how the program integrates AI, ML, and other advances.

• Weigh the cost, duration, and flexibility, as well as how that affects your ability to engage. 

Discover helpful resources for your DevOps career journey

Subscribe to Career Chat, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter for updates on skills, tools, and certifications to aid your career development. To learn more about a path in DevOps, you can also check out some of these free resources:

• Explore your options: Career Test: What Career Is Right for Me Quiz? 

• Watch on YouTube: 7 Best DevOps Courses on Coursera

• Increase your skills with AI: Which AI course should you take? Programs for beginners and professionals 

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