Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Backend Developer vs DevOps Engineer salary

In United States, a devops engineer earns about 6% more than a backend developer $157,000 vs $148,000 per year.

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

Technology
Backend Developer
$148,000/yr
Monthly
$12,300
Hourly
$71
Range
$94,700$213,100
10-yr outlook
+16%
Pays more
Technology
DevOps Engineer
$157,000/yr
Monthly
$13,100
Hourly
$75
Range
$100,500$226,100
10-yr outlook
+21%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileBackend DeveloperDevOps Engineer
Entry (10th)$94,700$100,500
25th$121,400$128,700
Median$148,000$157,000
75th$180,600$191,500
Senior (90th)$213,100$226,100

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a backend developer or devops engineer earn more in United States?
A devops engineer earns more, at about $157,000 per year vs $148,000 for a backend developer — roughly 6% ($9,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A backend developer typically earns $94,700–$213,100, while a devops engineer earns $100,500–$226,100 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a backend developer averages about $12,300 and a devops engineer about $13,100.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a backend developer earns about $94,700 while a devops engineer earns about $100,500 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a backend developer earns about $213,100 while a devops engineer earns about $226,100 per year.
Are backend developer and devops 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.