How to Become a DevOps Engineer in 2025: A Detailed Guide

Introduction

What makes DevOps a career of choice in the present tech scenario? With the increasing adoption of agile methodologies by organizations, the demand for DevOps engineers is increasing.

According to a recent survey, the global DevOps market is expected to grow at a 20% CAGR from 2023 to 2032[1]. The growth indicates that there is a requirement for skilled professionals who can bridge the gap between development and operations. DevOps engineering is lucrative and has a dynamic working environment. 

If you're considering this career, this guide provides a comprehensive roadmap into the DevOps career paths, tools, and evolving job market.

What is DevOps?

DevOps combines development (Dev) and operations (Ops) for streamlined software delivery. It integrates tools, processes, and teams to enhance speed and service quality.

Microsoft defines DevOps as uniting people, processes, and technology for customer value. It emphasizes collaboration between internal and external teams with efficient business processes.

DevOps often writes code to connect customer needs and operations seamlessly. They ensure smooth workflows, rapid deployment, and continuous improvement.

What is DevOps Engineering?

DevOps engineering unites software development and IT operations efficiently. It creates automated pipelines for building, testing, and deploying applications seamlessly.

A DevOps engineer manages cloud infrastructure, providing scalability and reliability in the system. They track performance metrics and identify bottlenecks in the system to fix them. In this role, they work collaboratively with developers and operations teams.

What is a DevOps Engineer?

A DevOps Engineer bridges between development and operations to ensure efficient delivery processes from software. The engineer should automate workflows, build CI/CD pipelines, and manage cloud infrastructure for scalability. Their work also includes integrating tools, monitoring systems, and resolving operational challenges.

The engineer works closely with development, IT, and business teams to streamline collaboration. DevOps Engineers focus on security; the best approach includes the integration of DevSecOps practices within workflows.

Steps to Become a DevOps Engineer

A successful career in DevOps requires a combination of technical expertise, hands-on experience, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The following key steps outline the path to becoming a skilled DevOps engineer:

1. Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree
2. Develop Proficiency in Programming
3. Gain a Strong Understanding of Operating Systems
4. Achieve Relevant Certifications
5. Build a Comprehensive DevOps Foundation
6. Enhance Your Programming Skills
7. Acquire Practical Experience in DevOps
8. Prepare Yourself for the Job Market
9. Apply for DevOps Engineer Positions
10. Keep Expanding Your Skills Continuously
11. Consider Advancing with a Master’s Degree

Step-by-Step Guide to Become a DevOps Engineer

Becoming a DevOps engineer requires a mix of technical knowledge, practical experience, and continuous learning. The following steps will guide you through the essential milestones to build a successful career in DevOps:

Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree

First, you have to get a bachelor's in computer science, software engineering, or information technology; these courses form a strong foundation for programming, algorithms, and system design.

Alternatively, suppose such formal degrees are not possible. In that case, equatable certification programs or boot camps that focus on the basics of software development and IT can also be of great help.

Develop Proficiency in Programming

Learn at least one high-level programming language, such as Python, Java, or Ruby. Python, in particular, is widely used in automation tasks and scripting. Familiarize yourself with version control tools like Git, as they are critical for managing code changes.

• Build small projects to apply your knowledge.
• Contribute to open-source repositories to refine skills and gain real-world experience.
• Solve coding challenges to boost confidence and problem-solving abilities.

Gain a Strong Understanding of Operating Systems

Learn how Linux, Windows, and macOS operate, focusing primarily on Linux since it is the most common in DevOps. Explore topics like file systems, process management, and shell scripting.

• Practice configuring servers and troubleshooting common issues.
• Get hands-on experience managing system resources in real-world scenarios.

Achieve Relevant Certifications

This verifies your knowledge and skills and is attractive to most employers. There are many available certifications, some of which are:

• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
• Docker Certified Associate

These certificates focus on the tools, cloud services, and best practices in deploying and maintaining DevOps environments.

Build a Comprehensive DevOps Foundation

Learn Jenkins for CI/CD pipelines, Docker for containerization, Kubernetes for orchestration, and Ansible for automation. Familiarize yourself with the principles of IaC and configuration management. Familiarize yourself with monitoring tools, such as Prometheus and Grafana to create a reliable and high-performing application.

Enhance Your Programming Skills

In addition to the basics of programming, explore APIs, data structures, and algorithms. Familiarize yourself with scripting languages like Bash or PowerShell to automate system-level tasks.

• Focus on the integration of API to connect different tools and services.
• Master the art of programming concepts to solve complex DevOps tasks efficiently.

Acquire Practical Experience in DevOps

Practical experience is crucial in becoming a competent DevOps engineer. Work on real-world projects to apply concepts like CI/CD pipelines, automation, and containerization.

• Participate in internships or hackathons to gain exposure.
• Contribute to open-source DevOps projects to build your portfolio.
• Experiment with deploying applications on cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

Prepare Yourself for the Job Market

Understand the key responsibilities of a DevOps engineer, such as ensuring seamless integration between development and operations teams. Study case studies, read blogs, and follow industry trends to stay updated.

• Develop soft skills like communication and teamwork for cross-functional collaboration.
• Build a strong resume highlighting your technical and interpersonal skills.

Apply for DevOps Engineer Positions

Once you’re confident in your skills, apply for DevOps engineer roles. Tailor your resume for each application, emphasizing relevant experience and certifications.

• Demonstrate projects that reflect your capabilities to automate workflow and optimize the process.
• Prepare yourself using common DevOps questions and situation-based problems.

Keep Expanding Your Skills Continuously

The tech industry is dynamic, and one needs to be updated. Regularly check out new DevOps tools and techniques.

• Join DevOps communities and attend webinars.
• Take advanced classes to hone your skills.
• Keep up with trends like DevSecOps, GitOps, and serverless computing.

Consider Advancing with a Master’s Degree

A master's degree will help you dig deeper into the expertise and also open doors for leadership roles. Programs in DevOps, cloud computing, or IT management are focused on advanced concepts and strategic decision-making. Although not a requirement, having a master's degree will put you ahead when applying for senior roles or making a transition to DevOps architecture and consulting.

Exactly What Does a DevOps Engineer Do?

DevOps engineers link the software development and operations teams. They make these teams function well together and improve processes so that high-quality software is delivered. Their main tasks are:

• Monitor application performance: Check performance data for problems and troubleshooting.
• Improve Security: Make software safer to reduce weaknesses and stop hacks.
• Automate Deployments: Jenkins or Ansible can be used to automate software updates.
• Routine Maintenance: Troubleshoot applications and ensure smooth production.
• Gap Analysis: Identify inefficiencies in the system and propose optimized solutions.
• Team Collaboration: Work with developers, testers, and stakeholders to ensure effective project execution.
• Quality Assurance: Implement testing protocols to meet the guidelines of the software.
• User Feedback Integration: Analyze feedback to improve functionality and user experience.
• Promoting DevOps Practices: Advocate for a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Career Path in DevOps

A DevOps job involves many opportunities and combines software development and IT operation skills. The workers manage the whole software development process, requiring teamwork, technical skills, and good communication.

The journey usually begins with jobs such as Junior DevOps Engineer or Release Manager and applying tools and methodologies. As their experience increases, professionals can grow into higher positions:

• DevOps Engineer: Handles CI/CD pipelines and automation.
• System Engineer: Manages infrastructure and server configurations.
• Reliability Engineer: Ensures system uptime and performance.
• DevOps Architect: Designs comprehensive DevOps strategies for organizations.

Must-Have Skills to Become a DevOps Engineer

A complete mastery of the technical and interpersonal skills is a must for a DevOps engineer to thrive.

• Linux fundamentals: Since most DevOps tools run on Linux-based systems, familiarity with Linux cannot be underestimated.
• Scripting and coding: Knowledge of Python, Ruby, or Bash facilitates the automation of tasks.
• CI/CD pipelines: Familiarity with products like Jenkins and GitLab enables smooth integration.
• Configuration management: These tools solve the provision and update of infrastructure items. Several configuration management tools are available, including Ansible and Chef.
• Containerization: Better management and orchestration are enabled with expertise in Docker and Kubernetes.
• Cloud platforms: Knowledge of AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud provides scalable architecture solutions.
• Networking concepts: Knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, and VPN ensures better system connectivity. 
• The Infrastructure as Code: Tools such as Terraform simplify the management of cloud infrastructure and its provisioning.

DevOps Engineer Job Outlook

Demand for DevOps engineers is rising in industries throughout the world. Organizations employ DevOps practices to improve their software delivery and operational efficiency. Research indicates that the adoption of DevOps results in a 30% increase in deployment frequency.

With an average salary of $133,000 a year, it pays well. Startups and enterprises alike need skilled DevOps professionals to streamline their workflows. Demand for knowledge of DevOps also rose with increasing reliance on cloud platforms. 

New trends such as DevSecOps and AI in DevOps can help people advance their careers. There is still a great demand for workers skilled in automation, CI/CD, and cloud infrastructure. Jobs for DevOps on websites like Indeed have increased significantly.

Globally, organizations see DevOps as important for digital change. This focus helps DevOps engineers earn more and find chances to move up. Learning important skills and keeping up with new tools is vital for success.

DevOps Engineer Salary

In-Demand DevOps Certifications and Courses

The following certifications and courses from NetCom Learning equip professionals with essential DevOps skills, covering automation, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms, and containerization to excel in modern IT environments.

This certification demonstrates the capability to leverage Azure tools in the application of DevOps strategies, which include CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, and dependency management. It is offered by NetCom Learning with practical labs and aligned with industry-standard practices for Azure DevOps.

This course focuses on advanced AWS DevOps concepts, including deployment, provisioning, and managing distributed systems. NetCom Learning provides comprehensive training for the AWS DevOps Professional exam with real-world applications.

This basic course teaches important DevOps ideas, tools, and processes. NetCom Learning's training always has hands-on sessions and real projects to help people understand what basic DevOps concepts are.

This course covers containerization and orchestration technologies. NetCom Learning covers hands-on work in Docker and Kubernetes, focusing on automation and scalable infrastructure.

NetCom Learning prepares professionals for the CKA exam with in-depth training on Kubernetes fundamentals. The course emphasizes managing clusters, deployments, and troubleshooting Kubernetes environments effectively.

DevOps Engineer vs Site Reliability Engineer

Tools and Technologies Every DevOps Engineer Should Be Aware of

DevOps integrates development and IT operations to enhance software delivery processes. Mastering key tools and technologies is vital for excelling in DevOps engineer jobs.

1. Jenkins: Automates building, testing, and deployment with robust CI/CD pipeline support.
2. Docker: Enables containerization for consistent application deployment across diverse environments.
3. Ansible: Simplifies configuration management and task automation with a human-readable syntax.
4. Kubernetes: Orchestrates and scales containerized applications with features like load balancing.
5. Git and Git-based Tools: Supports version control and collaboration with platforms like GitHub and GitLab.

How to Craft a Strong DevOps Resumé?

Crafting a strong DevOps resumé involves presenting your technical skills and achievements effectively. Here’s how:

• Start with a Summary: Highlight your DevOps expertise and key accomplishments.
• Tailor Your Resume: Align your resumé with the specific job description.
• List Key Skills: Include CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms, and scripting expertise.
• Showcase Achievements: Quantify results, e.g., "Reduced deployment time by 30%."
• Include Certifications: Mention AWS or Azure DevOps certifications.
• Highlight Collaboration: Show teamwork in cross-functional environments.
• Use Action Verbs: Start points with "Developed," "Implemented," or "Optimized."

Become DevOps Engineer Jobs Ready with NetCom Learning

NetCom Learning offers industry-aligned training that prepares you for high-demand jobs as a DevOps engineer. Their programs emphasize practical learning with tools such as Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible, and Git. You will be able to master critical DevOps methodologies such as CI/CD pipelines, automation, containerization, and Infrastructure as Code through hands-on projects and real-world scenarios.

The courses are designed to bridge skill gaps and align with industry needs. As an award-winning Microsoft training partner, NetCom Learning helps you build a competitive edge from foundational concepts to advanced techniques. You’ll also gain insights into cloud platforms like Azure, which are vital for modern DevOps roles.

Now, you are job-ready to excel in collaborative, agile environments. Take the next step towards becoming a certified DevOps Engineer expert today!

DevOps Engineer - Key Questions Answered

Is DevOps still in demand in 2025?

Yes, DevOps remains in high demand due to digital transformation trends. Companies seek DevOps engineers to enhance software delivery and operational efficiency.

Is DevOps Engineering difficult to learn?

DevOps is challenging but achievable with consistent practice and learning resources. A strong foundation in IT fundamentals simplifies mastering DevOps tools and practices.

How long does it take to become a DevOps Engineer?

It usually takes 6-12 months to acquire the required DevOps skills. Practical experience with tools like Jenkins and Kubernetes accelerates the learning process.

How do I prepare for a DevOps Interview?

Learn DevOps tools, CI/CD pipelines, and automation concepts thoroughly. Practice problem-solving and highlight hands-on experience in managing deployments and infrastructures.

Will AI replace DevOps?

AI will not replace DevOps, but it will enhance automation and decision-making. It reduces repetitive tasks, allowing engineers to focus on important operations.

What are the core principles of DevOps?

Collaboration, automation, and continuous delivery form the foundation of DevOps. Emphasis on monitoring and iterative improvement drives software and system reliability.

What role does automation play in DevOps?

Automate testing, deploying, and monitoring processes for faster delivery cycles. It has reduced human errors, improved consistency, and an overall increase in operational efficiency.

How does DevOps affect organizational culture?

DevOps practices help the development and operations teams work better together, improving communication and productivity. It promotes responsibility, flexibility, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.