Pay by Role
United Kingdom · Salary comparison

Backend Developer vs Site Reliability Engineer salary

In United Kingdom, a site reliability engineer earns about 74% more than a backend developer $219,548 vs $126,374 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is GBP). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Technology
Backend Developer
$126,374/yr
Monthly
$10,576
Hourly
$60
Range
$80,858$181,930
10-yr outlook
+16%
Pays more
Technology
Site Reliability Engineer
$219,548/yr
Monthly
$18,340
Hourly
$106
Range
$136,548$321,022
10-yr outlook
+22%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileBackend DeveloperSite Reliability Engineer
Entry (10th)$80,858$136,548
25th$103,616$178,048
Median$126,374$219,548
75th$154,219$270,285
Senior (90th)$181,930$321,022

National United Kingdom figures in GBP. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a backend developer or site reliability engineer earn more in United Kingdom?
A site reliability engineer earns more, at about £164,000 per year vs £94,400 for a backend developer — roughly 74% (£69,600) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United Kingdom?
A backend developer typically earns £60,400–£135,900, while a site reliability engineer earns £102,000–£239,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United Kingdom?
On a monthly basis before tax, a backend developer averages about £7,900 and a site reliability engineer about £13,700.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United Kingdom, a backend developer earns about £60,400 while a site reliability engineer earns about £102,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United Kingdom, a backend developer earns about £135,900 while a site reliability engineer earns about £239,800 per year.
Are backend developer and site reliability engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.