Skill report · DevOps & MLOps
Kubernetes: demand in job postings
Kubernetes is named in 19% of the 28,652 tech job postings Mettlespark read in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days (5,537 postings), most often for DevOps Engineer at 73%, Site Reliability Engineer at 71% and Cloud Engineer at 56%. When a posting names it, 67% list it as required.
From 28,652 postings in the United States and Canada, April 23, 2026 to October 20, 2026. Updated October 20, 2026. How we count
- Postings naming it
- 5,53719% of all postings
- Required when named
- 67%rather than nice to have
- Senior level or above
- 66%of the postings naming it
- Time to learn
- about 60 hoursfrom zero to job-ready, Mettlespark's estimate
Over time
Its share of postings has held steady since October 2023, comparing like with like.
The roles that ask for it most
The share of each role's postings that name Kubernetes.
| Role | Share of the role's postings |
|---|---|
| DevOps Engineer | |
| Site Reliability Engineer | |
| Cloud Engineer | |
| MLOps Engineer | |
| Platform Engineer | |
| Backend Engineer | |
| Full-Stack Engineer | |
| Software Engineer |
Often asked for alongside
The share of postings naming Kubernetes that also name each.
Industries
Where the postings naming it come from.
- Banking & Financial Services11%
- Aerospace & Defense10%
- Enterprise Software & SaaS8%
- Healthcare6%
Learn first
What Mettlespark's learning plans put before Kubernetes:
Quick answers
Is Kubernetes in demand?
Kubernetes is named in 19% of tech job postings in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days, 5,537 postings, and required in 67% of those. Its share of postings has held steady since October 2023, comparing like with like.
Which jobs ask for Kubernetes?
DevOps Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, Cloud Engineer and MLOps Engineer postings name it most often: 73% of DevOps Engineer postings, 71% of Site Reliability Engineer postings, 56% of Cloud Engineer postings.
What skills go with Kubernetes?
Postings that name Kubernetes most often also name AWS, Python, CI/CD and Docker.
What should I learn before Kubernetes?
Mettlespark's learning plans put Docker first.
How long does it take to learn Kubernetes?
About 60 hours from zero to job-ready, by Mettlespark's estimate; less with the prerequisites already in hand.