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2026 Salary Data — Milwaukee, WI
Updated April 28, 2026

DevOps Engineer Salary in Milwaukee: $124K Median

DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee, WI earn between $90K and $185K per year.

That's -5% below the US national median of $130,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median DevOps Engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI is $123,500 per year — -5% below the US national median of $130,000. Salaries range from $90,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $185,250 (90th percentile). DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee earned approximately $19,919 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$123,500
+520.0% YoY · $10,292/mo
Entry
$90,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$171,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$185,250
Senior/lead
DevOps Engineer Salary — Milwaukee vs Nearby
Milwaukee
$124K
Houston
$137K
-10% vs Milwaukee
New Orleans
$120K
+3% vs Milwaukee
Jacksonville
$120K
+3% vs Milwaukee

Free ATS scan · Milwaukee employers · Results in 60 seconds

About DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee

DevOps engineers automate infrastructure, manage deployment pipelines, and ensure reliable operations through code.

Core Responsibilities

  • CI/CD pipeline management
  • Infrastructure as code
  • Cloud architecture
  • Monitoring and incident response
  • Container orchestration

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)

In-demand certifications

AWS Solutions ArchitectKubernetes (CKA/CKAD)Terraform AssociateGoogle Cloud Engineer

Milwaukee Job Market

Manufacturing and brewing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
590K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$245K

Top Industries in Milwaukee

ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceBrewingTech

Top Employers Hiring DevOps Engineers

Major employers active in Milwaukee or hiring remotely from this metro.

AWS
Google Cloud
Microsoft
Netflix
Uber
Airbnb
Stripe
Datadog

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying DevOps Engineer listings.

KubernetesTerraformAWS/GCPObservabilityPlatform engineeringGitOps

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

KubernetesDockerAWSTerraformAnsibleCI/CDJenkinsGitLabmonitoring (Datadog)Linux
Career Outlook
+21% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

DevOps engineer demand growing 21% — among the highest in tech. SRE and platform engineering roles command $200K+.

DevOps Engineer Salary Breakdown — Milwaukee

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$90,250$123,500$185,250
Monthly$7,521$10,292$15,438
Weekly$1,736$2,375$3,563
Hourly$43$59$89

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($130,000) adjusted for Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

DevOps Engineer Take-Home Pay in Milwaukee

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$88,276.75
Per month$7,356
Biweekly paycheck$3,395
Effective tax rate28.5%

Tax Breakdown on $123,500

Gross salary$123,500
Federal income tax−$18,983
Wisconsin state tax−$6,792.5
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,447.75
Take-home (net)$88,276.75

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

DevOps Engineer Salary by Experience — Milwaukee

Career-stage progression for DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$83,030
2–3 yr$90,250
4–6 yr$130,625
7–10 yr$171,000
11–15 yr$201,780
15+ yr$178,125

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Milwaukee's 0.95× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$19,919
2026 median:$123,500
Change:+$103,581

Technology sector growth driven by demand for Kubernetes and Terraform.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$128,646
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your DevOps Engineer Salary in Milwaukee

Walk-away anchor: $107,391 (offers below this are below market for Milwaukee).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $171K–$185K for experienced roles, citing Milwaukee market data and your specific Kubernetes/Terraform expertise.

DevOps Engineer Salary FAQ — Milwaukee

What is the average DevOps Engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI?
The average DevOps Engineer salary in Milwaukee is $123,500 per year as of April 2026 — $10,292/month, $2,375/week, or about $59/hour. Salaries range from $90,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $185,250 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×).
Is $123,500 a good DevOps Engineer salary in Milwaukee?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Milwaukee's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $123,500 a real purchasing power of approximately $128,646 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $123,500 in Milwaukee?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Milwaukee specifically (median home price $245,000), a $123,500 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $123,500 enough for a single person in Milwaukee?
A single adult in Milwaukee typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $123,500 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $123,500 enough for a couple in Milwaukee?
A couple (one earner) in Milwaukee typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $123,500 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $123,500 each ($247,000 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $123,500 enough for a family of 4 in Milwaukee?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Milwaukee typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $123,500 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single DevOps Engineer income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Milwaukee typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a DevOps Engineer in Milwaukee?
On a $123,500 DevOps Engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI, you take home approximately $88,276.75 per year ($7,356/month, $3,395 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $18,983, state $6,792.5, FICA $9,447.75. Effective tax rate: 28.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee earn compared to the US average?
DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee earn approximately 5% less than the US national median for this role ($130,000 nationally vs $123,500 in Milwaukee). However, Milwaukee's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $128,646 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level DevOps Engineer earn in Milwaukee?
Entry-level DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee typically start at around $90,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, DevOps Engineers earn $171,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $185,250+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did DevOps Engineer salaries in Milwaukee increase in 2026?
Yes — DevOps Engineer salaries in Milwaukee grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $19,919 in 2025 to $123,500 in 2026 (+$103,581). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Kubernetes and Terraform demand.
What's the job outlook for DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee?
DevOps engineer demand growing 21% — among the highest in tech. SRE and platform engineering roles command $200K+. Milwaukee's top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for DevOps Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for DevOps Engineers are: Kubernetes, Terraform, AWS/GCP, Observability, Platform engineering, GitOps. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Milwaukee.
Who are the top employers hiring DevOps Engineers in Milwaukee?
Top employers hiring DevOps Engineers in or near Milwaukee include: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, Netflix, Uber, Airbnb. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher DevOps Engineer salary in Milwaukee?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my DevOps Engineer salary in Milwaukee?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Kubernetes, Terraform, AWS/GCP) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect or Kubernetes (CKA/CKAD)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a DevOps Engineer in Milwaukee?
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) is the typical path. However, Milwaukee's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

DevOps Engineer salary figures for Milwaukee are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($130,000) by Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.95× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Milwaukee

Software Engineer →Data Scientist →Product Manager →Web Developer →Cybersecurity Analyst →Machine Learning Engineer →

DevOps Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$121KJacksonville, FL$120KColumbus, OH$126KIndianapolis, IN$121KDetroit, MI$121KLas Vegas, NV$124KLouisville, KY$118KAlbuquerque, NM$117K

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