DevOps Engineer Salary in Raleigh, NC
DevOps Engineers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $120,000/year, ranging from $91,000 (25th percentile) to $194,000 (90th percentile). After North Carolina state taxes (4.5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 103), this is equivalent to $116,505 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Raleigh, NC
DevOps roles here draw talent to companies like Red Hat, which maintains significant operations in the region, alongside growing cloud infrastructure teams at financial services firms and healthcare systems. A mid-career DevOps engineer's salary typically covers comfortable living, though Raleigh's cost edge is modest - expect around $1,400 to $1,600 monthly rent for a two-bedroom in neighborhoods like Five Points or near North Carolina State's campus. The metro skews car-dependent, with I-40 and I-440 dominating commutes, though the Research Triangle's tech corridor keeps many roles clustered near downtown Raleigh or nearby Durham. North Carolina's 4.5% flat state income tax is gentler than neighboring states, and the mild winters mean less seasonal friction when you're on call during infrastructure changes - a small but real perk compared to northern cities.
1Salary Distribution in Raleigh, NC
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Raleigh, NC Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC (current) | $120,000 | 103 | $116,505 |
| Charlotte, NC | $112,000 | 102 | $109,804 |
| San Francisco, CA | $168,000 | 186 | $90,323 |
| New York, NY | $158,000 | 187 | $84,492 |
| Seattle, WA | $162,000 | 162 | $100,000 |
| Boston, MA | $148,000 | 162 | $91,358 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average DevOps Engineer salary in Raleigh, NC?
The median DevOps Engineer salary in Raleigh, NC is $120,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $91,000 and the 90th percentile is $194,000.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a DevOps Engineer?
Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $120,000 DevOps Engineer salary in Raleigh, NC is equivalent to $116,505 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103, meaning it is 3% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in North Carolina is approximately 4.5%.
What is the DevOps Engineer salary range in Raleigh, NC?
In Raleigh, NC, DevOps Engineers earn between $91,000 (25th percentile) and $194,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $120,000 per year.
How many DevOps Engineer jobs are there in Raleigh, NC?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 6,000 DevOps Engineer positions in the Raleigh, NC metropolitan area.
What do DevOps Engineers earn in Raleigh, NC?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, DevOps Engineers in Raleigh, NC earn a median annual wage of $120,000. The middle 50% earn between $91,000 and $155,000. The top 10% earn more than $194,000. There are approximately 6,000 DevOps Engineers employed in the Raleigh, NC metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 7.5%.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place for a DevOps Engineer?
Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103 (US average = 100), making it 3% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a DevOps Engineer in Raleigh, NC earning $120,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $116,505 relative to the US median. North Carolina has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.5%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh, NC's cost of living index is 103, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $120,000 in Raleigh, NChas the same purchasing power as $116,505 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Raleigh, NC with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a DevOps Engineer in Raleigh, NC?
The headline median of $120,000 is only part of the picture. Raleigh, NC's cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 97¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $120,000 salary effectively purchases $116,505 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Raleigh, NC, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $120,000 salary, that translates to roughly $33,600/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. North Carolina levies a state income tax of approximately 4.5%, which reduces take-home by roughly $5,400 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $105,890. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: Charlotte, NC ($112,000 median, COL 102); San Francisco, CA ($168,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($158,000 median, COL 187). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 7.5% year-over-year growth rate for DevOps Engineers in Raleigh, NC is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for DevOps Engineers or the North Carolina state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.