Kubernetes Engineer Salary & Pay Rates in United States
Market analysis based on live job data.
Salary range based on experience level
The median salary and typical pay rates for a Kubernetes Engineer in United States is $145,773 per year as of May 2026, based on 129 active job listings. Entry-level roles typically start at $114,508, while senior specialists can earn up to $189,338. Salaries for this role have changed by +4.0% compared to the previous year. Equivalent contract day rates are approximately $1,030 per day.
Salary Trend
Salary distribution trend for jobs in United States citing Kubernetes Engineer.
📊 Salary Histogram
Salary distribution for jobs citing Kubernetes Engineer over the last 6 months in United States.
📊 Market Demand
Number of live job vacancies over time for Kubernetes Engineer in United States.
Historical Market Data
| Metric | 2026 | Same Period 2025 | Same Period 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 140 | - | - |
| Rank change year-on-year | - | - | - |
| Permanent jobs citing Kubernetes Engineer | 129 | 0 | 0 |
| As % of all permanent jobs in United States | 0.12% | 0.11% | 0.10% |
| Number of salaries quoted | 107 | 0 | 0 |
| Entry Level | $114,508 | ||
| Junior | $127,760 | ||
| Median Salary | $145,773 | ||
| Median salary change vs last year | - | - | - |
| Senior | $166,308 | ||
| Expert / Top Earners | $189,338 |
How ready are you for this role?
Free 30-second skills check — see which skills you're missing for Kubernetes Engineer positions.
Top Skills in Demand
| Skill Name | Frequency % | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Kubernetes |
3%
|
Learn This |
| Docker |
3%
|
Learn This |
| Python |
3%
|
Learn This |
| AWS |
3%
|
Learn This |
| Terraform |
2%
|
Learn This |
| Microsoft Azure |
2%
|
Learn This |
| Bash |
2%
|
Learn This |
🌎 Compare Salaries by Location
See how much Kubernetes Engineer roles pay in other regions and markets.
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