The Complete Guide to Becoming a DevSecOps Engineer in 2025
Learn the skills, earning potential, tools, and expert strategies you need to thrive in this high-demand role.
Software security used to be an afterthought—something companies worried about only after launching a product. But with cyberattacks skyrocketing and businesses shipping code faster than ever, that old approach no longer works.
Enter DevSecOps Engineers, the security experts who make sure security is baked into every step of the development process—not just patched on at the end.
And companies are paying top dollar for this expertise. The DevSecOps market is expected to hit $17.24 billion by 2028, and salaries are climbing to match. If you’re interested in cybersecurity, automation, and cloud security, this is one of the most in-demand (and high-paying) career paths in tech right now.
So, what does a DevSecOps Engineer do, how much can you earn, and how do you become one? Let’s break it down.
Fishon Amos
Who is a DevSecOps Engineer?
A DevSecOps Engineer is responsible for integrating security into every phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Instead of treating security as a separate process, they automate security testing, enforce secure coding practices, and ensure compliance without slowing down development.
Think of them as the bridge between development, security, and operations. They use tools like Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform to streamline deployment while making sure that cybersecurity risks are minimized from day one.
Unlike traditional security engineers, DevSecOps professionals work alongside developers, embedding security measures directly into CI/CD pipelines. Their goal? Make security fast, seamless, and proactive—not an afterthought.
How Much Does a DevSecOps Engineer Earn?
Because DevSecOps combines three high-paying fields (DevOps, security, and automation), salaries tend to be on the higher end of the tech industry. Here’s a breakdown based on recent salary reports from Glassdoor:
- United States: $127,000 - $214,000 per year
- United Kingdom: $62,064 - $96,975 per year
- India: $8,016.23 - $18,095.57 per year
- Remote & Freelance Roles: $50 - $120 per hour
Salaries depend on experience, cloud security expertise, and certifications, but even entry-level DevSecOps Engineers earn well above average compared to other IT roles.
Role of a DevSecOps Engineer
A DevSecOps Engineer is responsible for securing the entire development pipeline, from writing code to deployment and monitoring. Here’s what the job typically involves:
- Automating security checks within CI/CD pipelines to catch vulnerabilities early.
- Monitoring cloud infrastructure for misconfigurations and security risks.
- Developing security policies using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform.
- Running penetration tests and static/dynamic security scans (SAST/DAST).
- Ensuring compliance with industry regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
- Training developers on secure coding best practices to prevent vulnerabilities.
A DevSecOps Engineer’s main goal is to make security seamless and scalable—without slowing down innovation.
Skills Needed to Become a DevSecOps Engineer
You'd need a combination of technical and soft skills to excel in this role.
Technical skills:
- Cloud security expertise (AWS, Azure, GCP).
- CI/CD pipeline security (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD).
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) (Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation).
- Container security (Docker, Kubernetes, Istio, Pod Security Policies).
- Programming & scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell).
- Vulnerability scanning & security testing (Snyk, OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite).
Soft skills:
- Problem-solving mindset—thinking like an ethical hacker to find vulnerabilities before attackers do.
- Strong communication skills—explaining security risks to developers and execs.
- Adaptability—keeping up with evolving cyber threats and new DevSecOps tools.
Roadmap to Becoming a DevSecOps Engineer
Here's how to get started:
/1. Build a strong foundation in security & DevOps
Before you jump into DevSecOps, you need a solid grasp of cybersecurity fundamentals and DevOps workflows. Start by learning basic security concepts like encryption, authentication, and network security, while also understanding CI/CD pipelines, automation, and cloud computing.
Platforms like Hack the Box, TryHackMe, and PortSwigger’s Web Security Academy are great places to get hands-on experience with security testing.
/2. Get hands-on with cloud security
Since most DevSecOps happens in the cloud, you’ll need to learn how AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud secure their environments. Focus on:
- IAM (Identity & Access Management)—who gets access to what.
- Encryption & secure storage—protecting sensitive data.
- Monitoring & logging—detecting threats in real-time.
AWS offers a free Cloud Security course, and Google has hands-on labs through Qwiklabs—perfect for beginners.
/3. Learn security automation & Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Manual security reviews slow things down. That’s why DevSecOps is all about automation. So, learn how to automate security policies with Terraform and Ansible, write security scripts in Python or Bash, and integrate security tools into CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Snyk, SonarQube).
You could also practice setting up an automated security pipeline on GitHub Actions or GitLab CI/CD to gain real-world experience.
/4. Earn a DevSecOps certification (optional but valuable)
Certifications aren’t required, but they boost your credibility—especially if you’re switching careers. Some of the best ones include:
- Certified DevSecOps Engineer (CDOE)
- Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty
- GIAC Cloud Security Automation (GCSA)
/5. Build a portfolio & apply for DevSecOps jobs
The best way to prove your skills is by showing your work. Set up a GitHub repo showcasing:
- A secure CI/CD pipeline with automated security tests.
- A Kubernetes cluster with built-in security policies.
- A cloud security monitoring setup using AWS GuardDuty or Google Security Command Center.
Once you’ve built some real-world experience, start applying for DevSecOps roles, cloud security positions, or cybersecurity analyst jobs with a DevOps focus.
Conclusion
The software security space is growing fast, and DevSecOps Engineers are at the center of it. With companies prioritizing security at every stage of development, this career is one of the most in-demand and well-paid in tech.
The best part is you don’t need a cybersecurity degree to get started. With the right skills, hands-on experience, and certifications, you can break into DevSecOps faster than you think.
