Looking to get started in DevOps but not sure where to start?
Well good news!
I’ve been working in DevOps as a Network and Software Engineer for over 15 years now, and in this guide, I’ll break down step by step how to become a DevOps Engineer in 2026. Including the required skills and the best order to learn them in, as well as training resources and what to do so you can get hired ASAP!
Let's get into it...
How to become a DevOps Engineer without a degree!
Just a quick heads up. This guide is based on our DevOps career roadmap:
Become a DevOps Engineer
17 milestones 14 courses
Step-by-step roadmap where you'll learn to code and build a portfolio.
Curated curriculum of courses, workshops, challenges, projects, and action items.
Become a DevOps Engineer from scratch and actually get hired.
Earn on average per year:
$141,226
US salary data collected from Indeed, LinkedIn, and Web3.career 2026.
In the future, feel free to check that and follow along as a fast-track cheat sheet.
For now though, keep reading as I'll go into more detail around each step, as well as how long it'll take to learn each part, based on the average completion time of our students.
That being said, there is one thing you can do to cut this learning time down considerably...
Optional step. Speed up your learning
Because you're going to be learning a lot of new skills, I recommend taking a slight detour and checking out this guide or better still, this course:
![Learning to Learn [Efficient Learning]](https://images.ctfassets.net/aq13lwl6616q/6VWcUgLgG0SU55ORlILe2S/e186361aeb48561bcd19ae6486577022/Learning_to_Learn.jpg?w=1200&h=672&q=50&fm=webp&bg=transparent)
Average time to learn: 5.5 hours
It will teach you how to learn using concepts you've never heard of before.
Why care?
Because it'll help you learn faster, which will then reduce the total time it takes you to learn all these other skills you'll need. (It's kind of like stopping the car to fix a flat tire, because you know it will make the whole journey much quicker and smoother).
Then, once you’ve gone through that course and figured out how to learn faster, you can jump into learning all the skills to become a DevOps Engineer at a more accelerated pace.
Step #1. Get a solid DevOps foundation
Just a heads up. This first step is where you’ll spend the bulk of your time, as you’ll learn DevOps principles, practices, and methodologies.
This is why most people who land DevOps roles usually already have some tech experience and come from either a sysadmin, networking, or software development background rather than starting there fresh.
It's one of the less common "zero to hired" paths in tech. However, that's not to say you can't just as long as you make sure to pick up the skills. (And if you already have the ones on the list, feel free to skip them and move onto the next ones)
So let’s break these all down.
Learn Linux
Start off by learning Linux, as it's the dominant operating system in DevOps, and allows you to learn command-line interface skills, scripting and automation.
Average time to learn: 30 days.
Even better? A lot of Docker and Kubernetes tools run on Linux, and it’s also the preferred operating system for most cloud platforms.
As you go through the course, make sure to complete all the projects inside. It’s the best way to apply what you learn, and you can use them as examples of your skills later on when you are applying for work.
Learn AWS cloud
Next, you need to learn AWS cloud.
Average time to learn: 2-4 weeks.
AWS is one of the leading cloud providers and has a comprehensive suite of infrastructure and platform services that allow you to build, deploy, and manage applications and services at scale which is a key element of DevOps!
AWS also integrates with a lot of DevOps tools and even has its own automation and orchestration tools built in.
However, you don't have to become a full on cloud engineer but you should learn the basics, use it, and complete some projects so that you're comfortable using and can prove to prospective employers that you know it!
Learn Terraform
Next, learn Terraform so you can start learning how to use IaC tools.
Average time to learn: 20 days.
Terraform is a powerful infrastructure as code (IaC) tool that allows you to define and provision infrastructure resources using declarative configuration files.
It also allows you to orchestrate complex infrastructure setups and dependencies by defining relationships between resources, dependencies, and configurations using Terraform's configuration language (HCL).
Again, make sure to complete the projects in the course (or ones you find elsewhere or best case... your own projects) to give you some hands-on experience and have something to add to your portfolio.
Learn Bash
The next step is to learn Bash (Bourne Again Shell), so that you can dive deeper into scripting.
Average time to learn: 20 days.
Mastering Bash scripting allows you to navigate file systems, manage processes, manipulate files, and execute system commands efficiently from the command line.
This means you can then automate repetitive tasks, streamline operations, and write custom scripts for system administration, configuration management, and deployment automation.
You can even create Bash scripts to automate tasks such as server provisioning, software installation, log processing, backup and recovery, and more, saving time and reducing manual effort!
Again, don't just watch some tutorials out there, make sure you're working on some real projects [like the ones included in my Bash course](/courses/learn-bash-scripting/).
Pass the AWS Architect certificate
I know we’ve already covered AWS, but that was at more of an entry-level qualification, while the AWS Certified Solutions Architect takes it a step further.
Average time to learn: 28 days.
While the Solutions Architect certification primarily focuses on designing and implementing AWS cloud solutions, it also covers many topics that are relevant to DevOps practices and responsibilities, such as IaC, CI/CD, security and compliance, and scalability.
Not only that but if you can show you have this more senior certificate, it’ll stand out in job applications and further boost your credibility.
Learn System Design + Architecture
Finally, learn System Design and Architecture so that you can understand the bigger picture and have a more holistic view of how software systems are created.
Average time to learn: 40 days.
Don’t skip this step! Learning system design and architecture as a DevOps Engineer is incredibly valuable.
Not only will you understand the big picture, but you’ll also have a better idea of what dev teams need, helping you to comprehend what they want and have to do. A skill that might just come in handy when you want to help manage and organize with these teams…
You’ll also be able to further optimize the infrastructure for scale and performance, thanks to a deeper knowledge of scaling patterns, so it’s a win-win all around.
Step #2. Add in some programming skills
The good news is that this section is much shorter! It's now time to add in some programming skills, specifically Python and SQL.
Learn Python
Start off by learning Python.
Average time to learn: 2 months.
Python is one of the easier programming languages to learn, has a vast ecosystem of tools, and works directly with or integrates with a lot of DevOps tools and APIs.
Not only that, it’s also great for scripting and automation, as well as data analysis and processing.
Also, a lot of DevOps Engineering jobs will look for applicants with skills in Python, so it's a no brainer to learn it and be comfortable building even some simple projects and apps with it.
I highly recommend taking Andrei's Full Python Bootcamp but you can also watch this free python crash course he put out below as well!
Learn SQL
Now that you know Python, it’s time to learn SQL.
Average time to learn: 50 days.
This is another skill that's often listed in DevOps job posts, because of how valuable it is to the role.
Why?
Well, DevOps Engineers often work with databases as part of their responsibilities, such as managing infrastructure configurations, monitoring database performance, and troubleshooting issues. And SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for interacting with relational databases, allowing you to query, manipulate, and manage data stored in databases efficiently.
SQL is also great for data analysis and reporting, allows for database scripting, integrates with other DevOps tools, and is one of the leading tools used by data teams. (If they’re going to use it then you should also know it).
And to help out, I've gone ahead and shared the first 8 hours of the course below:
(Just be aware that all the videos are not always up to date, whereas the courses themselves are updated every year).
OK so by now you have all the core skills you need. Great work!
But you still need to present everything you’ve learned so far to prospective employers and show them that you actually have these skills, so let's get into that.
Step #3. Get job ready
Alright, it's almost time to apply for jobs. However, before we apply, we want to make the best first impression that we can, and it involves 3 things:
Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is looking professional and up to date. Even if you don't use the platform to apply for jobs, potential employers may look on there to check you out. Not to mention, you can even get approached by headhunters and get job offers with you even applying!
Create a one-page resume for applications. Some will ask you to submit it when you apply online, so get one made
Create a portfolio of your project work. Companies are going to want proof that you can do the work required, so it’s important to have a portfolio of projects you’ve completed throughout all these courses so far
Bonus: Some sites will allow you to attach a cover letter of why you want to work there. It's not all the time, but just be aware that if they give the option, you should write a custom one each time
The good news?
Fellow ZTM instructor Dan Schifano goes through each of these tasks in detail in his course on personal branding, so that you can get hired, as well as some other great tips to help you stand out even further.
Average time to learn: 1-2 weeks.
Check out that course and either complete it fully, or at least complete these 4 'job ready' tasks, so that you're ready to start filling out applications.
Step #4. Apply for jobs
Alright, now it's time to apply for jobs and get hired!
If you're a ZTM member, then I HIGHLY recommend you check our Andrei's new course on getting hired at your dream job:
Average time to learn: 12 days.
He covers the entire application and interview process in detail, including with his technique where he gets a 90% interview success rate!
Trust me, you'll never feel 100% ready but if you've followed along so far, you are ready to start working in the real-world.
If you're anxious then understand this: The simple truth is that you don't need to know every detail about everything to get hired. In fact, you'll pick up a lot of skills and experience simply by doing the job. It's about having the requirements to get started, and you already have that so start applying already!
Become a DevOps Engineer today!
So there you have the entire roadmap to becoming a DevOps Engineer within the next 6-12 months, or sooner.
DevOps Engineering is a great career to get into right now, with high demand (almost a half million jobs in the US alone!), a great salary, and interesting topics to learn.
It’s not that difficult to learn, and if you enjoy being organized, then you’ll love this role. You just need to get started!
Become a DevOps Engineer
17 milestones 14 courses
Step-by-step roadmap where you'll learn to code and build a portfolio.
Curated curriculum of courses, workshops, challenges, projects, and action items.
Become a DevOps Engineer from scratch and actually get hired.
Earn on average per year:
$141,226
US salary data collected from Indeed, LinkedIn, and Web3.career 2026.
P.S.
Want some great news? All of the courses I’ve mentioned during this guide are part of the Zero To Mastery Academy and included in your membership. This means that if you become a member, you'll have access to all of these courses right away and will have everything you need in one place.
Plus, as part of your membership, you'll get to join me and 1,000s of other people (some who are alumni mentors and others who are taking the same courses that you will be) in the ZTM Private Discord:
Ask questions, help others, or just network with other DevOps Engineers and tech professionals.
So what are you waiting for 😀? Come join me and get started on becoming a DevOps Engineer today!
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