Skill report · DevOps & MLOps
Observability: demand in job postings
Observability is named in 22% of the 28,652 tech job postings Mettlespark read in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days (6,215 postings), most often for Site Reliability Engineer at 81%, MLOps Engineer at 58% and DevOps Engineer at 58%. When a posting names it, 80% 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
- 6,21522% of all postings
- Required when named
- 80%rather than nice to have
- Senior level or above
- 70%of the postings naming it
- Time to learn
- about 20 hoursfrom zero to job-ready, Mettlespark's estimate
Over time
Its share of postings has risen about 12.2 points since October 2023, comparing like with like.
The roles that ask for it most
The share of each role's postings that name Observability.
| Role | Share of the role's postings |
|---|---|
| Site Reliability Engineer | |
| MLOps Engineer | |
| DevOps Engineer | |
| Platform Engineer | |
| Cloud Engineer | |
| Backend Engineer | |
| AI Engineer | |
| Applied AI Engineer |
Often asked for alongside
The share of postings naming Observability that also name each.
- Python57%
- CI/CD54%
- AWS52%
- Kubernetes46%
- Distributed Systems45%
- Terraform36%
Industries
Where the postings naming it come from.
- Banking & Financial Services12%
- Enterprise Software & SaaS9%
- Healthcare7%
- Aerospace & Defense5%
Quick answers
Is Observability in demand?
Observability is named in 22% of tech job postings in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days, 6,215 postings, and required in 80% of those. Its share of postings has risen about 12.2 points since October 2023, comparing like with like.
Which jobs ask for Observability?
Site Reliability Engineer, MLOps Engineer, DevOps Engineer and Platform Engineer postings name it most often: 81% of Site Reliability Engineer postings, 58% of MLOps Engineer postings, 58% of DevOps Engineer postings.
What skills go with Observability?
Postings that name Observability most often also name Python, CI/CD, AWS and Kubernetes.
How long does it take to learn Observability?
About 20 hours from zero to job-ready, by Mettlespark's estimate; less with the prerequisites already in hand.