I can't tell you how many times I've been asked, "What's the difference between DevRel and Developer Advocacy?" Usually followed by, "And which one pays better?"
Here's the thing - after spending years building DevRel teams at companies like Twilio and Circle, I've learned that these terms get thrown around interchangeably, but they're actually quite different. And trust me, understanding the distinction can make or break your career decisions (and your salary negotiations).
Let me break down what I wish someone had told me when I was trying to figure out this field.
If you're completely new to this space, start with our comprehensive guide on What is DevRel to get the foundational understanding before diving into these role comparisons.
DevRel Meaning: The Umbrella That Covers Everything
First, let's clear up what DevRel actually means. Developer Relations is the umbrella term for all activities focused on building relationships between companies and developers. Think of it as the entire ecosystem of developer-focused roles and strategies.
DevRel encompasses everything from technical writing and community management to developer advocacy and developer experience engineering. It's like saying "marketing" - there are specialists within it (content marketing, growth marketing, product marketing), but they all fall under the broader umbrella.
I learned this the hard way when I first transitioned into DevRel. I thought I was applying for a "Developer Advocate" role, but the company actually needed someone to run their entire developer program. Boy, was I in for a surprise!
The DevRel meaning has evolved significantly over the past decade. What started as a few evangelists giving conference talks has grown into a sophisticated discipline with specialized roles, clear career paths, and measurable business impact.
Developer Advocacy: The Voice of the Developer
Developer Advocacy is a specific role within the broader DevRel umbrella. Think of Developer Advocates as the voice of developers - both to the outside world and within their own companies.
Here's what Developer Advocates actually do:
External-facing work:
- Speaking at conferences and meetups
- Creating technical content (blog posts, tutorials, videos)
- Engaging with developers on social media and forums
- Building relationships with key community members
Internal-facing work:
- Gathering developer feedback and relaying it to product teams
- Advocating for developer-friendly features and improvements
- Helping shape product roadmaps based on community needs
- Training internal teams on developer perspectives
I remember working with a Developer Advocate at Circle who spent half her time at conferences talking about blockchain development and the other half in product meetings arguing for better error messages. That's the dual nature of advocacy - you're the bridge between two worlds.
For more insights on building effective advocacy programs, check out our guide on How to Build a Successful Developer Program.
The Real Difference: Scope vs Specialization
Here's where it gets interesting. The main difference between DevRel and Developer Advocacy isn't about better or worse - it's about scope and specialization.
DevRel professionals typically wear multiple hats. They might do advocacy work, but they also handle community management, technical writing, developer experience optimization, and strategic planning. They're generalists who understand the entire developer journey.
Developer Advocates are specialists focused primarily on the advocacy function. They're the ones you see on stage at conferences, writing technical blog posts, and building relationships with key developers in the community.
Think of it this way: if DevRel is like being a general practitioner in medicine, Developer Advocacy is like being a cardiologist. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes.
I've seen companies make the mistake of hiring a Developer Advocate when they actually needed a DevRel generalist to build their entire program from scratch. The advocate was great at speaking and content creation but struggled with the strategic and operational aspects of building a developer program.
Skills Breakdown: What You Actually Need
Let me give you the real breakdown of skills for each path, based on what I've seen work (and fail) in the field.
DevRel Professional Skills
Technical Skills (70% importance):
- Solid programming background (you don't need to be a senior engineer, but you need credibility)
- Understanding of APIs, SDKs, and developer tools
- Basic knowledge of multiple programming languages and frameworks
- Ability to debug code and understand technical documentation
Communication Skills (90% importance):
- Writing technical content that doesn't suck
- Public speaking (even if it terrifies you at first)
- Community management and engagement
- Cross-functional collaboration with product, engineering, and marketing teams
Strategic Skills (80% importance):
- Understanding business metrics and ROI
- Program management and project coordination
- Data analysis and reporting
- Strategic thinking about developer ecosystems
Developer Advocate Skills
Technical Skills (85% importance):
- Deep expertise in specific technologies or domains
- Ability to create working code examples and demos
- Understanding of developer workflows and pain points
- Strong debugging and troubleshooting skills
Communication Skills (95% importance):
- Exceptional public speaking and presentation skills
- Content creation across multiple formats (blogs, videos, podcasts)
- Social media engagement and community building
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts for different audiences
Advocacy Skills (90% importance):
- Gathering and synthesizing developer feedback
- Influencing product decisions without direct authority
- Building relationships with key community members
- Representing developer interests in internal discussions
The key difference? DevRel professionals need broader business acumen, while Developer Advocates need deeper technical credibility and communication skills.
If you're looking to break into either field, our Ultimate Guide to Landing a DevRel Job covers the practical steps to build these skills and land your first role.
DevRel Salary US: The Numbers You Actually Want to Know
Let's talk money. Because let's be honest, that's probably why you're reading this section.
Based on my experience working with dozens of companies and seeing hundreds of job postings, here's what you can realistically expect in the US market:
DevRel Professional Salaries
Entry Level (0-2 years DevRel experience):
- Base: $90K - $130K
- Total comp: $110K - $160K
Mid-Level (2-5 years DevRel experience):
- Base: $130K - $180K
- Total comp: $160K - $220K
Senior Level (5+ years DevRel experience):
- Base: $180K - $250K
- Total comp: $220K - $320K
Developer Advocate Salaries
Junior Developer Advocate:
- Base: $100K - $140K
- Total comp: $120K - $170K
Senior Developer Advocate:
- Base: $140K - $200K
- Total comp: $170K - $250K
Principal/Staff Developer Advocate:
- Base: $200K - $280K
- Total comp: $250K - $350K
Geographic variations matter. These numbers are for major tech hubs (SF, NYC, Seattle). Expect 20-30% lower in secondary markets, but remote work has been equalizing this somewhat.
Company stage matters too. Startups might offer lower base but higher equity upside. Big tech companies typically pay at the top of these ranges but have more competition.
I've seen Developer Advocates at top-tier companies (think Google, Microsoft, AWS) pulling in $300K+ total comp, but those roles are incredibly competitive and require significant expertise and speaking experience.
Why DevRel: The Strategic Value Proposition
Now let's address the "why DevRel" question that executives (and your skeptical engineering friends) always ask.
Here's the cold, hard truth: companies invest in DevRel because developers drive technology decisions, and traditional marketing doesn't work on developers.
The business case is simple:
- Developers research extensively before choosing tools
- They trust peer recommendations over marketing messages
- They have significant influence on technology purchasing decisions
- They can become powerful advocates (or vocal critics) of your product
I worked with one API company where a single well-respected Developer Advocate's blog post drove more sign-ups than their entire paid advertising budget for that quarter. That's the amplification effect of authentic developer relationships.
But here's what most companies get wrong: they treat DevRel like a marketing channel instead of a strategic function. The companies that succeed with DevRel understand it's about building genuine relationships and creating value for developers, not just promoting products.
For startups wondering if they need DevRel, I wrote extensively about Why DevRel is Crucial for Startup Success. Spoiler alert: if developers use your product, you probably need it.
KPIs That Actually Matter: Beyond Vanity Metrics
This is where most companies (and DevRel professionals) get it wrong. They focus on vanity metrics instead of business outcomes.
DevRel Program KPIs
Awareness Metrics:
- Developer-focused content views and engagement
- Conference talk attendance and feedback scores
- Social media reach within developer communities
- Brand mentions in developer forums and discussions
Engagement Metrics:
- Community growth and activity levels
- Documentation usage and feedback scores
- Developer support ticket resolution times
- Event attendance and participation rates
Business Impact Metrics:
- Time-to-first-success for new developers
- Developer satisfaction scores (NPS)
- API adoption and usage growth
- Developer-influenced revenue and conversions
Developer Advocate KPIs
Content Performance:
- Blog post views, shares, and engagement
- Video/tutorial completion rates
- Conference talk ratings and feedback
- Social media engagement and follower growth
Community Impact:
- Developer feedback quality and volume
- Community contributions and user-generated content
- Relationship building with key community members
- Influence on product roadmap decisions
Advocacy Effectiveness:
- Developer sentiment tracking
- Product feedback implementation rate
- Community-driven feature requests
- Developer retention and success rates
The key is connecting these metrics to business outcomes. I always tell companies: if you can't explain how your DevRel activities contribute to revenue, adoption, or retention, you're doing it wrong.
Career Paths: Which Route Should You Take?
Here's my honest take on choosing between DevRel and Developer Advocacy as career paths.
Choose DevRel if:
- You enjoy wearing multiple hats and solving diverse problems
- You want to understand the business side of developer products
- You're interested in strategy and program management
- You want broader career flexibility and growth opportunities
Choose Developer Advocacy if:
- You love public speaking and content creation
- You want to become a recognized expert in specific technologies
- You enjoy building relationships and influencing through expertise
- You're passionate about representing developer voices
The reality? Most people start in one area and evolve. I started as a Developer Advocate focused on API education, then moved into broader DevRel strategy as I gained experience. Many successful DevRel leaders have similar journeys.
The field is still young enough that there's room to shape your own path. The companies that figure out how to scale genuine developer relationships while maintaining authenticity are going to win big.
The Future of DevRel vs Developer Advocacy
Here's where I think the field is heading, and why it matters for your career decisions.
Specialization is increasing. We're seeing more specific roles emerge: Developer Experience Engineers, Technical Community Managers, DevRel Program Managers, and specialized advocates for different technologies or verticals.
The bar is getting higher. As the field matures, companies expect more strategic thinking and measurable business impact. The days of "just give conference talks and write blog posts" are ending.
AI is changing the game. Automated content generation and support are making human connection more valuable, not less. The advocates and DevRel professionals who focus on genuine relationship building will thrive.
Remote work is democratizing opportunities. You no longer need to live in Silicon Valley to work for top tech companies. This is expanding the talent pool and creating new opportunities.
My prediction? The most successful DevRel professionals will be those who combine deep technical credibility with strong business acumen and authentic relationship-building skills.
Making Your Decision: DevRel vs Developer Advocacy
If you're trying to decide between these paths, here's my advice:
Start with your strengths. Are you a natural speaker and content creator? Developer Advocacy might be your path. Do you enjoy strategy and program building? DevRel might be better.
Consider the company stage. Early-stage companies often need DevRel generalists. Larger companies can afford specialized Developer Advocates.
Think about your long-term goals. Want to become a VP of Developer Relations? The broader DevRel path gives you more relevant experience. Want to become a recognized technical expert? Developer Advocacy might be your route.
Don't stress too much about the title. Focus on finding companies that genuinely value developer relationships and give you opportunities to grow. The specific role title matters less than the work you'll be doing.
For practical guidance on building either type of program, our comprehensive guide on Building Successful Developer Programs provides detailed strategies and real-world examples.
The Bottom Line
DevRel vs Developer Advocacy isn't really about which is better - it's about understanding what each role entails and which aligns with your skills and career goals.
Both paths offer excellent opportunities for growth, competitive salaries, and the chance to make a real impact on developer communities. The field is evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities for people who understand both the technical and business sides of developer relationships.
Whether you choose the broad strategic approach of DevRel or the specialized advocacy path, remember that success comes from genuinely caring about developer success. The companies and individuals who focus on creating real value for developers are the ones who build lasting, impactful careers.
Want to dive deeper into specific aspects of DevRel? Check out our insights on DevRel Lessons from Helping Startups Build Programs and learn about creating content that resonates in our Developer-Friendly Blog Post Structure guide.
Trust me, your future self will thank you for taking the time to understand these distinctions before making your next career move. The alternative - jumping into a role without understanding what you're signing up for - is a mistake you can't afford to make.
Sound familiar? Let me know what resonates with your experience - I'm always learning from the community.