I'm curious about how to navigate the job market as a DevOps professional while living in a smaller city with a metro population of about 300,000. I'm not considering remote work right now, and I'm keen on finding out if there are ways to utilize my skills without taking a significant pay cut. I have certifications (AZ-305, AZ-400, AZ-104) but no degree, which makes me worry about my competitiveness for remote positions. How can I leverage my skills outside of major urban areas?
1 Answer
You should definitely share your current salary range if you're comfortable, but generally speaking, I've seen a lot of remote positions that pay between $85k and $250k, depending on experience. For someone with around 3-7 years in DevOps, the average pay tends to hover around $130k-$140k. It really varies based on the cost of living, though. Honestly, going remote has been a game changer for me. I could take a $150k remote job any day over $250k in-office. If you consider moving to a lower-cost area, you could enjoy more affordable living while still making good money.
I currently make $130k but need to go into the office one day a week, which is making me rethink locations. I'm not sure if I can compete for remote jobs without a degree.