Data Scientist
$115,000
avg. annual salary
Data Scientist
pays more on average
Devops Engineer
$109,728
avg. annual salary
In the evolving tech landscape, career roles like Data Scientist and DevOps Engineer have become indispensable. As companies increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making and efficient software delivery, understanding the salary dynamics between these two roles is crucial. This comparison will provide insights into average salaries, benefits offered, and potential career trajectories for both Data Scientists and DevOps Engineers. Whether you are considering a career in tech or looking to switch paths, this guide will help you make an informed decision based on salary expectations and growth opportunities in 2025.
Salary by Experience Level
starting salary
starting salary
avg. difference (5%)
Average Salaries in 2025
In 2025, the average salary for a Data Scientist is projected to be around $120,000, with a typical range from $100,000 to $140,000, depending on experience and location. Meanwhile, DevOps Engineers can expect an average salary of approximately $115,000, with ranges varying from $95,000 to $135,000.
This relatively close salary range reflects both roles' importance in modern organizations, yet the specific compensation can vary significantly by industry and geographical region.
Salary by Experience Level
Salaries for both Data Scientists and DevOps Engineers tend to increase with experience. Entry-level Data Scientists earn between $85,000 and $100,000, while entry-level DevOps Engineers see salaries from $80,000 to $95,000.
Mid-level professionals in both fields enjoy salaries from $110,000 to $130,000 for Data Scientists and $105,000 to $125,000 for DevOps Engineers. Senior-level professionals can command salaries exceeding $150,000, reflecting their expertise and leadership roles.
Benefits and Perks
Beyond salaries, benefits also play a significant role in job satisfaction. Data Scientists typically enjoy benefits like flexible work hours, continuous learning opportunities, and generous vacation policies.
In contrast, DevOps Engineers often receive benefits that include on-call compensation, team collaboration bonuses, and access to cutting-edge tools and technologies. Both roles frequently offer health insurance, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, enhancing their overall compensation packages.
Career Paths and Job Outlook
The career outlook for both Data Scientists and DevOps Engineers is promising. Data Scientists can advance to roles such as Senior Data Scientist, Data Architect, or even Chief Data Officer, with a strong demand for their skills projected to continue.
DevOps Engineers, on the other hand, can advance to Senior DevOps roles, Site Reliability Engineers, or DevOps Managers. The growth of cloud computing and continued emphasis on automation are expected to drive demand for both professions well into the future.
Detailed Comparison: Salary Drivers and Real-World Impact
### Where pay starts and where it goes
- •Entry-level (US market): Data Scientist $80,000–$100,000; DevOps Engineer $90,000–$110,000.
- •Mid-career (3–7 years): Data Scientist $110,000–$140,000; DevOps $120,000–$160,000.
- •Senior/lead roles: Data Scientist $150,000–$210,000; DevOps $160,000–$220,000. In major tech hubs (San Francisco, NYC) total compensation can exceed these ranges by 20–40% when equity and bonuses are included.
### What actually drives those numbers
- •Skill mix: Machine learning, statistics, and feature engineering boost Data Scientist pay by ~10–25% versus peers who focus only on analytics. For DevOps, cloud certifications (AWS/GCP) plus container orchestration (Kubernetes) raise salary 15–30%.
- •Business impact: A Data Scientist who builds a model that increases revenue 3–5% can justify a higher raise or bonus. A DevOps engineer who reduces deployment time from hours to minutes or cuts outage frequency by 50% similarly earns premium compensation.
### Quick, actionable takeaways
- •If you enjoy modeling and experimentation, target Data Scientist roles and strengthen ML production skills.
- •If you prefer systems, automation, and uptime, focus on cloud and CI/CD for DevOps roles.
- •When negotiating, ask for total comp (base + bonus + equity) and aim 10–15% above the posted salary.