All you need to know about becoming a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
Gain essential skills and follow a clear roadmap to launch a rewarding career as a Site Reliability Engineer.
As technology increasingly becomes embedded in everyday business operations, the demand for reliable, resilient infrastructure has reached an all-time high.
According to recent exceeding from the DevOps Institute, over 60% of IT companies have implemented some form of Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) practice, a significant increase from just 15% in 2020.
This surge reflects how crucial SREs have become in ensuring system stability and minimizing downtime. Here’s a complete guide to launching a successful career in this essential and growing field.
Who is a Site Reliability Engineer?
A Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) is a software engineering professional responsible for building automated solutions that ensure a company's systems and applications' stability, scalability, and reliability.
Originally developed at Google in the early 2000s, the role bridges development and operations, treating system issues as software problems that can be resolved through automation and efficient design. SREs play a critical part in system performance, working to prevent outages and optimize infrastructure across various platforms.
How Much Does a Site Reliability Engineer Make?
The salary for site reliability engineers varies widely based on experience, location, and company size.
According to Indeed, in the United States, entry-level SREs typically earn between $94,000 and $101,000 per year, while those in senior or specialized roles can see salaries exceeding $140,000.
As of 2024, the demand for SREs is high, and salaries in tech hubs such as San Francisco and San Diego often exceed the national average.
