As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a DevOps Principal Engineer in Van Nuys, CA is $166,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.
However, a DevOps Principal Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A DevOps Principal Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a DevOps Principal Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| DevOps Intermediate Engineer | 2-4 years | $111,038 |
| DevOps Senior Engineer | 4-7 years | $148,858 |
| DevOps Principal Engineer | 7+ years | $166,511 |
| DevOps Expert Engineer | 7-10 years | $183,971 |
| DevOps Manager | 10+ years | $173,988 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Team Development | 1.78% |
| Open Source | 3.63% |
| Computer Science | 2.21% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Team Operations
|
$178,262 |
7%
|
|
Products and Services
|
$176,596 |
6%
|
|
Commitment
|
$174,930 |
5%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$173,264 |
4%
|
|
Dedication
|
$173,264 |
4%
|
|
Troubleshooting
|
$173,264 |
4%
|
DevOps Principal Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $186,182. While startup companies pay approximate $157,491.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $157,491 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $166,563 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $179,783 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $186,182 |
For DevOps Principal Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, DevOps Principal Engineer positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view DevOps Principal Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $199,920 | $96.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $191,590 | $92.0 | 15% |
| Media | $186,592 | $90.0 | 12% |
| Construction | $183,260 | $88.0 | 10% |
| Telecom | $181,594 | $87.0 | 9% |
Understanding how a DevOps Principal Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on September 01, 2026For a DevOps Principal Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the DevOps Expert Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $184,000 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current DevOps Principal Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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