I have just over six years of DevOps and cloud experience, mostly with AWS. My skills include Linux, containers, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions and several programming languages, and I have AWS, Kubernetes and Terraform certifications.
I'm currently on AUD 100,000 plus super in Melbourne. What would be a reasonable salary to ask for?
I'd use AUD 150,000 plus super as an initial ask for a senior-level role. Your experience and certifications give you a case for aiming higher than your current pay, though the actual offer will depend on the role and employer.
Be clear that the number is base salary plus super, and check whether any bonus or other benefits are separate. A headline package figure can look quite different once super is included.
For a medium-sized business, around AUD 130,000 base is another reasonable expectation to explore. I wouldn't assume every job using the DevOps title pays at the senior end, even with a strong list of tools and certifications.
One comparison from a large Sydney bank puts standard engineer roles around AUD 100,000 to 130,000 and senior roles around AUD 140,000 to 180,000. That's a useful reference point, not a guaranteed Melbourne range.
Your stack could fit a senior role, but the scope matters too. In negotiations, explain what you own, the complexity of the systems you support and the results you've delivered, rather than relying on certifications alone.
There's a higher-end view too: some engineers would hold out for AUD 200,000 or more. That's a much more ambitious target than the other estimates here, so I'd treat it as a preference rather than an expected offer.
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y416~postmark_8:
The market can also be tough, so a higher target doesn't necessarily mean a quick offer. Compare roles and their responsibilities before deciding how much room you have to negotiate.