DevOps Vs. Developer: What Are The Key Differences?

William Imoh · Improve this Guide

In the software development process, the main task of developers is to create, test, and deploy software applications. However, the increasing complexities of software projects have led to the creation of new roles, such as DevOps engineers.

For hiring managers, understanding the distinct roles and contributions of DevOps and software developers can streamline the recruitment process, ensuring the right talent aligns with project needs. Career seekers, on the other hand, can make informed decisions by comparing the responsibilities and growth potential in each path.

DevOps and software developers contribute to software development yet differ in various aspects and roles. DevOps is a broader framework that involves development and operations teams working together to modernize the software development lifecycle (SDLC). However, software development teams work exclusively on development tasks.

Both career paths have their own roles and benefits, yet most people wonder: Who is paid more, a DevOps or a full stack developer? Some people even have a misconception that DevOps is a bit more difficult than software development. Anyone planning to choose a career path between the two must clearly understand their roles and core responsibilities.

In this guide, I’ll break down the key differences between DevOps and software developers. Additionally, you’ll get a quick overview of salary insights for both roles and gain an understanding of new advancements and technologies that are set to shape the future of both fields.

The table below summarizes the key differences between a DevOps engineer and a software developer.

Job Title	Software Developer	DevOps Engineer
Key Tasks	Software developers generally create codes, run tests, and manage deployment in small teams.	DevOps engineers automate tasks, manage infrastructure, and monitor and troubleshoot issues.
Collaboration and Team Dynamics	Communication is mostly restricted to software functionalities.	Communication and collaboration go beyond the development process, i.e., conveying technical issues, gathering feedback from different teams, discussing potential impacts, etc.
Responsibilities and Processes	Limited to writing, testing, and debugging codes.	Automate workflows and orchestrate SDLC.

How do a DevOps engineer and a software developer differ?

A DevOps engineer focuses on automating infrastructure, managing deployments, and ensuring smooth integration between development and operations, while a software developer primarily writes code to build applications or features.

A software developer creates quality code and builds software applications. They focus primarily on designing, development, application testing, and software maintenance.

Some may specialize in frontend, backend, or even full stack development, giving them the flexibility to manage comprehensive software projects.

For HR professionals, if your organization wants to improve operational efficiency and teamwork across departments, hiring a DevOps engineer could be a good choice. On the other hand, if your focus is on innovation and coding, a skilled software developer or full stack developer might be the better option.

A skilled software developer knows the right tools and programming languages essential to build applications. Some experts even have frontend, backend, or full stack development experience.

However, DevOps is a broader field that involves collaboration between the development and IT operations teams. Software developers majorly focus on writing codes, whereas DevOps ensures that the generated code works well.

Some of the key tasks of a software developer include:

• Coding and development: using different programming languages and frameworks to create clean code for your software.
• Testing: running tests to get more clarity on whether the implemented code functions correctly and guarantees smooth software performance.
• Deployment: While traditionally managed by the DevOps team, many developers now handle deployment processes, especially in smaller teams.

On the other hand, DevOps engineer’s key tasks include:

• Automation DevOps: automating all the tasks from testing software to deploying CI/CD pipelines.
• Infrastructure management: facilitating collaboration and managing the entire infrastructure to ensure smooth application performance.
• Monitoring and maintenance: using monitoring tools to track issues and application performance in real time.

Importance of collaboration with cross-functional teams in both roles

Both developers and DevOps engineers need to collaborate with cross-functional teams for a smooth workflow.

Working with cross-functional teams is essential for both software developers and DevOps engineers. These interactions streamline workflows, improve communication, and ensure that each department’s needs and constraints are understood throughout the project lifecycle.

Hiring resource tip: DevOps engineers may be more suitable for roles requiring collaboration across departments, whereas software developers, including full-stack developers, are better suited to focused development tasks.

Career insight - As a software developer, your interaction might be limited to the design, development, and testing phases. However, moving toward DevOps expands your scope to include operational aspects, which could be beneficial for long-term career growth.

Software developers need to constantly communicate with other developers on the team, designers, and even quality assurance(QA) engineers to ensure the delivery of high-quality software. Their collaboration is primarily focused on software functionalities. In the early stages of the traditional software development process, developers were not very involved in how their code operated in production. A separate department, i.e., the IT operations team or deployment manager, was responsible for tracking application deployment.

In the case of DevOps, things are completely different. Their collaboration with cross-functional teams goes beyond the development process. The DevOps concept was introduced to bridge the gap between development and operations for smooth workflow and rapid delivery. The development and IT operation team need to frequently communicate and provide quick feedback on different aspects for efficient software performance and deployment of code changes.

The incorporation of DevOps practices will enable organizations to improve their product quality, automate complex and repetitive tasks, detect errors in real time, and deploy new features in less time.

Let’s understand more about software developers and DevOps engineers’ responsibilities and processes.

Key differences in responsibilities and processes

Software developer The primary responsibility of a software developer is to write, test, and debug code. The development team also looks after the software application’s maintenance and ensures the final product aligns with your business goals and customer needs.

Apart from writing code, software developers are also responsible for preparing technical documentation, troubleshooting issues in real time, and managing security issues. A software development team even collaborates and works closely with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to turn the basic idea into a high-quality software product.

Another critical aspect of software developer role is participating in code reviews and providing constructive feedback to team members, contributing to overall code quality and team growth.

DevOps engineers The primary responsibility of a DevOps team is to automate the entire testing and deployment process. By automating workflow, organizations can ensure faster software delivery.

The professionals use a wide range of DevOps tools to automate and orchestrate SDLC. They also monitor software performance via different monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog, etc., provide rapid feedback loops, and troubleshoot errors and code bugs in real time.

DevOps job role is not limited to deployment but is a continuous process that looks after various aspects to deliver highly scalable and secure software.

Once you are clear with the responsibilities that come under both job profiles, it is also important to get clarity on the different career paths you can choose from and their pay scale. This will help determine which one can bring you more growth and success in the future.

Career paths and salary insights for software developer

Job titles for software developers may vary based on the company and experience level. These include software engineers, software architects, and full stack developers.

For career seekers, a full stack developer handles both frontend and backend tasks, making them highly versatile. This role offers a balanced career path for those looking to build comprehensive expertise in development.

A DevOps engineer, meanwhile, is pivotal for organizations adopting modern frameworks like CI/CD pipelines and cloud infrastructure.

For hiring managers, offering competitive salaries and clearly defined roles for full stack developers and DevOps engineers can attract top talent. Highlighting growth opportunities within your company can also increase retention rates.

Below are some common job titles for software developers, along with salary insights for each role:

• Full stack developer
• Software engineer
• Software architect

Full stack developer A full stack developer is a computer professional responsible for managing both the frontend and backend of your software. Full stack developers handle all aspects of database management, analysis, user interface design, code testing, and user communication.

Based on my experience, currently, the salary of a junior full stack developer with (0-1 year of experience) ranges between $61,000-$99,000. A mid-level developer with 1 to 3 years of experience can earn between $67,000 and $106,000. However, a senior full stack developer with 2 to 4 years of experience can expect a salary ranging from $72,000 to $113,000 in the United States.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the specifics between full stack development and other technical roles, check out our detailed comparison of DevOps vs full stack developer. It outlines how these professionals contribute to different aspects of the software development lifecycle, offering clarity for career seekers and hiring managers.

Software engineer Software engineering is another popular job profile that involves a wide range of domain options, such as mobile apps, frontend, backend, native apps, web development, etc. Software engineering professionals use engineering principles, new technologies, and programming languages to develop software applications and operating systems for end users.

Have a look at our guide that compares full stack developers vs software engineers, which will help you understand their roles and determine which aligns best with your skills and aspirations.

The salary of a software engineering job profile ranges between $65K-$325K (source). A junior software engineering job position can make up to $89,247, while a senior software engineer’s average salary may come to around $152,400.

Software architect A software architect is another demanding position in software development projects. These professionals are responsible for some of the critical tasks that are highly complex in nature. They work on software functionality, security, performance, and other key aspects like architectural prototyping and quality assurance.

Most software developers apply for software architect role because it is challenging and high-paying. A software architect’s estimated average salary will be $140,379.

Career paths and salary insights for DevOps engineer

The following are the job titles for DevOps engineer with their salary insights:

• Cloud engineer
• Infrastructure engineer
• DevOps architect

Cloud engineer Cloud engineers are IT professionals who design, plan, and manage tasks related to cloud computing. These DevOps professionals help with cloud migration, maintain cloud resources, configure cloud infrastructure components, design scalable cloud applications, monitor cloud services and platforms, and more.

In 2024, the estimated average salary of a cloud engineer ranges around $116,252, depending on experience, location, and specific skills in demand.

Infrastructure engineer Infrastructure engineers help assess existing software and project improvements. The infra engineer uses the latest techniques and technologies to maintain IT infrastructure and ensure seamless functioning. Further, they monitor system performance, troubleshoot errors, administer automated workflow tools, etc.

In 2024, the average salary of a infrastructure engineer is between $79,480 (Payscale) and $115,606 (ZipRecruiter), depending on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and expertise in specific cloud platforms.

DevOps architect Another demanding position for DevOps engineers. These experts play an important role in implementing DevOps practices, facilitating proper integration and continuous deployment. They develop the overall DevOps strategy, select appropriate automation tools, manage the CI/CD pipeline, and cultivate a culture of collaboration among development and operation teams.

In 2024, the average salary of a DevOps architect is estimated to be around $150,000, depending on industry, experience, geographic location, and specific cloud technologies or tools expertise.

Now, if you have decided which career path you would like to pursue, let’s get a quick insight into the skills essential for both job profiles.

Essential skills for aspiring DevOps engineers and software developers.

Top skills required for software developers Applying for software development job titles is no longer as simple as it used to be. Changes in the technology-driven workforce have resulted in companies looking for highly specialized individuals with the right set of skills and knowledge. Here are the top skills that IT decision-makers look for in an individual when hiring software developers for their organization:

• Programming languages A developer in an organization may work on a wide range of projects using different programming languages, so it’s essential to have knowledge of multiple languages to develop an app or software. JavaScript, Go, Java, and Python are a few of the most commonly used languages.

• Database administration Database administration and management are other skills most organizations look for in a software developer. Developing a web application or software without database expertise is challenging, so it’s essential to have a solid understanding of Oracle, MySQL, and other popular database management systems.

• Data structures and algorithms Another essential skill set is a good knowledge of data structures and algorithms. A data structure is an organizing and storage format used in computer science to provide effective access to data. This helps software developers analyze massive codebases and identify errors more quickly.

• Secure coding practices IT decision-makers make sure that the selected software developer can build secure apps. This person, basically, uses secure coding practices and pays attention to details.

• Problem-solving and communication Developer’s core responsibility is to find solutions to issues. Developers can face various challenges when building an app or software, such as broken codes, errors, etc. One can analyze and fix the problem faster with problem-solving skills and creativity. Also, the ability to communicate with cross-team members and clients is another key factor often considered when hiring software developers.

• Version control systems Version control is an essential skill for any software developer, as it enables collaboration, tracks changes, and ensures code integrity across teams and projects. Modern development workflows heavily rely on version control systems to manage source code effectively.

Top skills required for DevOps engineers The demand for DevOps engineers is constantly rising. Many organizations are looking to hire DevOps engineers with the right skills and talent. The applicant must have expertise in soft and technical skills in their roles. Hiring DevOps Engineers requires the following skills:

• Coding and scripting DevOps engineers must have the two most important skills: coding and scripting. The DevOps professional must also have a good command of different programming languages for writing code.

• Linux Many organizations use Linux over other operating systems because of its flexibility, security, and stability. DevOps engineers must be clear with the fundamentals of Linux.

• System administration Another key skill that tech teams look for in a DevOps engineer is the ability to manage servers and troubleshoot issues faster. Experience in user administration, software installation, and system monitoring are a few skills essential to upkeep a robust infrastructure.

• Software testing With this skill, DevOps engineer can identify faults and bugs faster and improve codebase quality. A DevOps engineer must be proficient in using different testing methodologies.

• Automation Infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, automation of CI/CD pipelines, or application deployment are a few areas that DevOps must know how to use and implement.

• Cloud computing In the modern DevOps landscape, cloud computing plays an important role. DevOps engineers must be skilled in deploying, managing, and maintaining applications on cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Here are a few DevOps engineer certifications and training courses you can apply for:

• AWS-certified DevOps engineer
• Google professional DevOps engineer
• Continuous delivery and DevOps
• DevOps culture and mindset

Future trends in DevOps culture

Software development has been in practice for a long time. Despite advancements and innovations in technology, the software development process remains essential. However, the introduction of DevOps had an impact on modern software development:

• Faster time-to-market: With DevOps principles, organizational teams are able to ensure faster software delivery.
• Enhanced collaboration: DevOps enabled better communication and collaboration between development, operations, and other cross-functional teams.
• Faster resolution and quality: Automation tools helped gain faster feedback on code quality and reduce errors, which improved overall software quality and performance.

Organizations constantly adapt new digital techniques and technologies to ease the task and deliver quality software design to end-users. In fact, Puppet’s State of DevOps report clearly stated that developer needs are changing. Many other DevOps enterprise summits have discussed how these transformations will sooner or later further evolve DevOps culture as well as impact software developers. Some of the key trends that may impact the future of DevOps include:

• AI and machine learning Integration of AI and machine learning into DevOps processes is becoming a trend. With this incorporation, all the major tasks, such as code releases and analysis, software deployment, and application software monitoring, will become faster and more reliable. By enabling quicker identification and resolution of issues, they also improve predictive analytics, aiding in resource planning and performance optimization.

• DevSecOps An approach to software development that focuses on identifying and reducing security vulnerabilities in software systems. It strongly emphasizes working together to automate procedures and expedite deployment across development, operations, and security teams, ensuring secure, seamless, and faster deployments.

• GitOps GitOps is a powerful framework software development teams use to automate deployment processes and better manage infrastructure. The approach is based on DevOps practices, such as version control systems and continuous integration and delivery.

• Infrastructure as Code Another DevOps practice that uses configuration files for infrastructure management and provisioning. It not only saves time but also improves accuracy by eliminating manual processes.

• Low-code and no-code development These platforms are making DevOps accessible by enabling non-technical users to participate in development processes. By integrating with DevOps pipelines, these tools accelerate application delivery while maintaining high standards of quality and security.

Conclusion

Have you made up your mind? Which one will you choose as your career path—a DevOps engineer or a software developer?

For hiring managers, decide whether your organization needs operational efficiency (DevOps) or innovative software solutions (Developers). For career seekers, choose based on your interest in infrastructure challenges or creative coding.

It can be challenging to decide between the two prominent profiles. However, you must pursue your interests and career goals. Here is a quick recap of what we covered in this post:

Software development is more about design and development. If you are interested in coding or building new features, you can opt for software developers. You can choose from the different job titles available under software developers, i.e., frontend developers, software architect, etc.

DevOps engineers, on the other hand, is a process framework that involves challenges with access to automation, configuration management, infrastructure management, and other areas essential for smooth system performance and functioning. They must be familiar with Continuous integration and delivery, and other above-listed skills. This field also comprises roles and positions, such as Cloud Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, etc.

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