Top-Paying Cloud Certifications and Jobs (2024)

Please use the menu below to navigate the article sections:

  • Do Certifications Have Any Impacts on Your Career?
  • There is A Significant Increase in Demand for Cloud Skills in 2023
  • What Are The Top-Paying Cloud Jobs In 2023?
  • Which Cloud Certifications Pay The Most?
    • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
    • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
    • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
    • Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert
    • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
    • Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect
    • Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer
  • AWS vs Azure vs GCP: Which One is The Best For You?
  • How Do You Choose the Cloud Career Path that’s best for you?
  • Ready to Take Your Tech Career to the Next Level?
Top-Paying Cloud Certifications and Jobs (1)

Cloud Computing is changing the way we live and work. It’s no longer just about having a powerful data center to store your files, or an email account that you can access from any device. Today, the Cloud is an integral part of our day-to-day lives – and it’s not going anywhere soon! In fact, it is expected that the global end-use of cloud computing services will increase by 20.7% in 2023 to total $591.8 billion, up from $490.3 billion in 2022 according to the latest forecast from Gartner Inc! So if you’re thinking about getting into this exciting industry, you need to understand the importance of cloud certifications when going after those top-paying jobs, so that you can better plan your future cloud career.

Do Certifications Have Any Impacts on Your Career?

Well, if you want to climb up the ladder in the cloud computing world, you cannot overlook the importance of getting certifications. If you’re just starting out, a certification can be really helpful in getting your foot in the door or landing an interview with one of the many cloud service providers out there. If you are a pro, certifications can help you identify and build on your strengths, and can lead to promotions and higher compensation.

There is A Significant Increase in Demand for Cloud Skills in 2023

Demand for cloud skills will remain the most relevant and in-demand skills for 2023. IT organizations are struggling to find qualified candidates with the right skills, and they expect this problem to get worse in the coming years. This is the reason why you need to be proactive and get a certification as soon as possible.

What Are The Top-Paying Cloud Jobs In 2023?

Well, there’s no one clear answer to this question as each company has its own set of requirements and qualifications. However, if you want some idea about which certifications might be worth your time and effort, here are a few jobs that will surely pay well:

  • According to a ZipRecruiter, Senior Solutions Architects earn an average of $169,455, making it one of the highest paying jobs in cloud.
  • The cloud architect position is also pretty lucrative with an average salary of $139,777.
  • Software architects who have experience designing enterprise-level applications and services earn on average about $150,000 per annum.
  • IT directors who manage the data center, IT specialists, and other staff can earn an average of $123,238.
  • A cloud consultant typically earns a salary ranging from around $50 to $70 per hour or more.

Which Cloud Certifications Pay The Most?

There are many cloud certifications out there. They are all great in their own way, but there are a few that pay off more than others. Here’s a list of the top-paying cloud certifications you should consider taking today:

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is for those who want to learn the basics of cloud computing. It certifies that you understand the basics of cloud computing and know how to use AWS to manage typical business needs. While you need to invest some effort to complete this certification, it won’t take too much time to prepare for it! When you’ve completed all courses and passed the exam, you’ll have the skills needed by most companies who are looking for staff with experience using Amazon Web Services offerings. You will enjoy an average salary of $90,000 once you get a job.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification is one of the most popular in the cloud computing industry and demonstrates a solid understanding of a broad range of AWS services. If you achieve this certification you can earn an average salary of $135,000 per year. It will take some hard work and dedication, but when you achieve this certification, the rewards are absolutely worth it. You’ll need to pass a tough exam that will test your skills in designing architectures for enterprise-level workloads using Amazon Web Services.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional certification will give you the advanced skills needed to design, deploy and operate scalable cloud solutions using Amazon Web Services (AWS) in complex environments. It’s another highly-paying skill with an average salary of $163,000. If your goal is to work in IT consulting or within a company that uses AWS as its main platform, then getting certified could be very beneficial! It will take some dedication and hard work as the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional exam is a tough one, but when you do, you’ll be on your way to your dream job!

Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert

The Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert is a Microsoft Azure certification that gives you the skills needed to design, develop and deploy cloud solutions using Microsoft’s Azure platform. It is a well-paid skill set with an average salary of $152,000. Achieving this certification is a great way to capitalize on the growing demand for Azure skills. You will need to pass the AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams – which are daunting but rewarding in the long run.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

If Microsoft is your thing, then the Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate certification could be for you! Achieving this credential means that you’ll have skills in administering an enterprise-level cloud computing environment using Microsoft’s Azure platform. With a salary of $125,000 per annum, it pays off well in the long run. You will also need to take two other related certifications – which are AZ-203 and MCSD. These certification courses can help build your understanding of developing applications for Windows Server private and public clouds. They include hands-on labs and classes that will allow you to create real-world applications using Azure.

Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect

The Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect certification will prepare you for designing and deploying cloud architecture solutions using the Google Cloud Platform. It pays off well in the long run with an average salary of $143,000 per year. You’ll need to pass a few exams that test your skills in designing applications for large-scale deployments on GCP. It’s not an easy certification to get, but if you are committed and willing to put in the time, it will be well worth it.

Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer

This credential is perfect for data engineers who work on large datasets using Google Cloud Platform (GCP). You’ll need to pass two exams: GPDE (General Purpose) and GPEDX – which tests your skills in designing applications that run on GCP with big data. With average salaries of $143,000 per year within this field, you can expect excellent rewards! It takes hard work because these exams aren’t easy.

AWS vs Azure vs GCP: Which One is The Best For You?

No cloud certification path is better than the other. The one you choose depends on your career goals and what type of organization you work for. If you’re a consultant who wants to provide solutions that vary from one cloud service provider to the next, then getting certified in all three will be best! However, expect the following pay for every service according to data released by PayScale:

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) has an average salary of $106,210 USD across all jobs.
  • Google Cloud (GCP) has an average salary of $105,454 USD across jobs.
  • Microsoft Azure has an average salary of $96,649 USD across jobs.

Even though it seems AWS pays more, don’t forget that Microsoft and Google are still great choices, especially if you want to work for a company that uses their services. It’s not an easy choice to make because each one of these cloud services providers has its own pros and cons. Therefore, do your homework well and choose the best for your needs!

How Do You Choose the Cloud Career Path that’s best for you?

Below are some questions you should ask yourself:

  • Which cloud service provider do you want to work with?
  • What level of salary are you expecting?
  • Do you have a technical or non-technical background in IT?
  • What is your preferred career path?
  • What are your long-term goals in this industry?
  • Which certification fits those needs best (or will take you to the next level)?

The more research and understanding that goes into the decision, the better. Now it’s time for your career journey – start exploring today!

In summary, there are many different cloud certifications that fit various skill sets. Here are Digital Cloud Training we specialize in delivering the best AWS certification training available. Check out our courses below for more information.

Ready to Take Your Tech Career to the Next Level?

  • On-Demand Training: Learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.
  • Challenge Labs: Apply what you’ve learned in a real-world setting without the risk of incurring surprise cloud bills.
  • Cloud Mastery Bootcamp: Build job-ready skills with this live, immersive training that can get you certified faster than you thought possible.

Note: Last updated May 10, 2023

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Top-Paying Cloud Certifications and Jobs (2024)

FAQs

Which cloud certification has highest salary? ›

Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Undoubtedly a challenging and top highest-paying certification in the cloud. It is estimated that the average salary for a Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert is around USD 135,000.

How much can I make with a cloud certification? ›

The average salary for those holding the AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification is $146,300. This certification enables tenured cloud security professionals to demonstrate their ability to secure the AWS cloud.

Which cloud service is most in demand? ›

Amazon (Amazon Web Services, or AWS), Microsoft (Azure), and Google (Google Cloud Platform) maintain the most in-demand cloud platforms.

Which cloud certification is best and easy? ›

Best Cloud Certifications For Professionals
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate. ...
  • Google Certified Professional Data Engineer. ...
  • AWS Certified SysOps Administrator. ...
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate. ...
  • AWS Certified Developer - Associate. ...
  • CompTIA Cloud+ ...
  • Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
Feb 24, 2023

Does AWS or Azure pay more? ›

Salary comparison between AWS and Azure professionals

According to data from Payscale, the average salary for an AWS certified solutions architect is $130,883 per year, while an Azure solutions architect earns an average of $125,000 per year.

What is the starting salary for AWS? ›

How much does an Aws Entry Level make? As of Jun 8, 2023, the average annual pay for an Aws Entry Level in the United States is $56,002 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $26.92 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,076/week or $4,666/month.

Does Amazon AWS pay well? ›

How much does a Work From Home Amazon Web Services Aws make? As of Jun 8, 2023, the average hourly pay for a Work From Home Amazon Web Services Aws in the United States is $56.28 an hour.

What is the salary of AWS with 2 years experience? ›

Average Annual Salary by Experience

AWS Cloud Engineer salary in India with less than 1 year of experience to 7 years ranges from ₹ 2.8 Lakhs to ₹ 13 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 5 Lakhs based on 3k latest salaries.

How much do Amazon cloud practitioners make? ›

A certified AWS cloud practitioner salary in the US can expect to earn between $160,000 and $180,000 per year, according to PayScale.

Which cloud service is best for jobs? ›

Which Cloud Platform Should I Learn?
  • Google Cloud - 26.81%
  • Heroku - 19.98%
  • DigitalOcean - 15.64%
  • VMware - 8.71%
  • Managed Hosting - 5.76%
  • Linode - 3.92%
  • OVH - 3.76%
  • Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - 2.18%
Sep 16, 2022

What is the most difficult cloud certification? ›

Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Achieving this Microsoft certification and taking down its dual daunting exams, the AZ-303 and AZ-304, is one of the most challenging feats in cloud certification.

Which cloud certification is best in 2023? ›

AWS Architect Professional. This is the ultimate cloud certification you can aim for in 2023. It's also regarded as the toughest AWS cloud certification and requires extensive experience and knowledge of the AWS cloud platform.

Is Google Cloud certification worth it? ›

The Google Professional Cloud Architect is definitely worth it for a maximum number of administrators and network architects. It happens to be a great certification for pretty much all IT professionals, who are close to growing and also keen on going up the career ladder.

Is it easier to learn Azure or AWS? ›

Both Azure and AWS may be difficult to learn if you don't know what you're doing, or they can be quite simple if you're well instructed. Many IT experts, however, argue that AWS is far easier to learn and obtain certification in.

How do I become a cloud engineer with no experience? ›

Internships and freelance opportunities are excellent to get a job in cloud computing with no experience. Leverage the internship period to get hands-on experience and learn from your mistakes. Also, an internship is a great opportunity to earn while you learn.

Who pays more AWS or Google Cloud? ›

There's also a compensation element involved here: Stack Overflow's latest Developer Survey queried specialists in the world's largest cloud platforms about their median salaries and found that specialists in Google Cloud Platform pulled down a median salary of $55,600 per year, just behind Azure ($62,630) and AWS ($ ...

Which Azure certification gives highest salary? ›

1. AZ-305 Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. According to the Global Knowledge 2021 IT Skills and Salary Survey, this is one of the highest-paying certifications. Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AZ-305, is an expert-level certification.

Does AWS require coding? ›

To answer your question simply- no, you will not need any in-depth coding knowledge to become an AWS cloud professional. However, coding, in general, is a necessary skill in the IT field nowadays. Even if you learn one coding language, it can help you a long way when you develop and deploy apps to the AWS cloud.

What is AWS max base salary? ›

Amazon boosts max base pay for corporate workers to $350,000 as labor market heats up. Amazon is more than doubling its maximum base salary for corporate workers, according to an internal memo. The company will now cap its base pay at $350,000, up from its previous max of $160,000.

How much does a level 7 make at AWS? ›

As of Jun 8, 2023, the average annual pay for an Amazon Level 7 in the United States is $71,840 a year.

Will AWS certification increase salary? ›

Increase your earning potential

AWS certification doesn't just look good on your resume—it can significantly boost the kind of salary or rate you command. Our Careers and Hiring Guide showed that 73% of AWS professionals reported a salary increase averaging 27% after passing their certification.

Which AWS certification is most in demand? ›

The Solutions Architect – Associate certification is our choice for the best AWS cloud certification overall. It is the most popular certification offered by AWS and provides a solid foundation in AWS cloud computing. IT professionals with this certificate are also among the highest earners in the industry.

Is AWS certification enough to get you a job? ›

AWS Certifications are very important to start a career and quite useful to have a good job. If we should talk about the benefits of getting an AWS certification: This shows that you are a trained professional and committed to working with passion. You can get a better salary at your job.

Is AWS difficult to learn? ›

Choosing the correct AWS development course for a beginner can be challenging at times. But there is no doubt that it is one of the most prominent courses in the field of cloud computing. All you need to do is master some fundamental skills with some practice and give it a shot.

How much do Azure jobs pay? ›

Snapshot: Top 5 Highest-Paying Microsoft Azure Certifications in North America*
Certification2022 Average Salary
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert$133,185
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate$129,705
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate$127,505
2 more rows

What is the salary of Salesforce vs AWS? ›

Salesforce certified sales cloud consultant: If you want to know the salary of salesforce cloud vs AWS, then for a Salesforce cloud consultant, it ranges between INR 850000-1000000 while in the US, it is about $150000 per year. As per Glassdoor, the average salary of AWS in India starts from INR 600000 per annum.

How much does a Level 5 make at AWS? ›

The estimated total pay for a L5 Area Manager at Amazon is $166,312 per year.

What is the salary of entry level AWS cloud practitioner? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $166,000 and as low as $23,000, the majority of Entry Level Aws Cloud Practitioner salaries currently range between $50,500 (25th percentile) to $117,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $154,500 annually across the United States.

How hard is Amazon cloud Practitioner? ›

Although the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam is at the beginner level and it tests the most basic knowledge of the candidate, preparing for any certification course is not so easy. However, rest assured if you do obtain the certification, all your effort will definitely be worth it.

How much does AWS cloud Practitioner make entry level? ›

In India, the AWS cloud practitioner salary ranges between ₹1,297K - ₹1,416K.

Which pays more cloud or cyber security? ›

According to industry reports, Cloud Engineers in the United States can expect to make between $100,000 to $180,000 per year, while Cybersecurity professionals can make between $90,000 to $160,000 per year, depending on their level of experience and location.

What is the easiest AWS cloud certification? ›

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification exam is the easiest of the exams because it is the least technical and most high-level AWS certification exam of all AWS exams. After that, it would be the AWS Certified Developer – Associate Level (AWS CDA) and also arguably the easiest of all AWS exams.

How long do cloud certifications take? ›

How long does it take to become AWS certified? With a full-time job and other commitments, investing 80 hours of study usually takes two months. If you are entirely new to AWS, we recommend approximately 120 hours or three months to prepare.

Which cloud certifications don t expire? ›

IT Certifications that Never Expire
  • Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) ...
  • Oracle Certified Master (OCM) ...
  • Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) ...
  • LPI – Linux Essentials. ...
  • LPI – Web Development Essentials. ...
  • Cisco Certified Support Technician – CCST. ...
  • Microsoft Fundamentals. ...
  • CompTIA Cloud Essentials+
Mar 12, 2023

Which cloud has a future? ›

Multi-Cloud or Hybrid

Businesses will increasingly use multiple public and private clouds to meet their specific needs. However, the hybrid cloud is not going away anytime soon. In fact, the hybrid cloud will likely become even more common as businesses move more of their workloads to the cloud.

How much does a person with AZ 500 certification make? ›

According to Payscale, the average salary for a Cloud Security Engineer with AZ-500 certification is $120,000 per year in the United States. The salary range varies based on experience, job role, and location.

What is the average salary for cloud computing? ›

Salaries can vary depending on experience and location, but the average annual base salary for a cloud computing professional in the US is $81,519 [2].

Can Google Cloud certification get me a job? ›

Here's the thing: Cloud certifications aren't a guarantee you'll get a cloud job (much like any certificate). There's no denying they can help you jump-start your cloud career, but when it comes to landing that cloud computing job, hands-on experience is what will really make you stand out.

Do Google certificates actually get you a job? ›

While Google Career Certificates will not land you a job on their own, they will improve your resume, give you specific skills recruiters are looking for, and help you stand out to employers with industry-specific training.

Which Google Cloud certification should I start with? ›

1. Google Cloud Digital Leader Exam [Best for Beginners] This is one of the most popular Google Cloud Certification which is aimed at beginners who wants to learn both Cloud computing essentials as well Google Cloud Platform in 2023.

Can I learn AWS on my own? ›

You just need to enroll with them and then you can learn AWS at any time, at any place, and on your own schedule. But, if you are completely new to the AWS domain or Cloud let me give you a brief overview of Amazon Web Services and its benefits over traditional infrastructure setup.

Is Azure certification enough to get a job? ›

Certifications are a great way to distinguish yourself in the job market, but they don't guarantee you a job. You'll need to showcase your skills and qualifications in an interview, and employers may also want to see your certification in action.

Which is the most difficult Azure exam? ›

Expert in Azure Solutions Architecture

Earning the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification and passing its two difficult certification exams is one of the most difficult feats in cloud certification. So it comes as no surprise that CIO has named it one of the most in-demand IT certifications for 2021.

What is the lowest salary of cloud engineer? ›

Entry Level Cloud Engineer Salary. $45,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $127,500 is the 75th percentile.

Can you work from home as a cloud engineer? ›

What Does a Remote Cloud Engineer Do? As a remote cloud engineer, you work from home to design and develop software that runs in the cloud and maintain cloud systems and hardware. If you specialize in software development, then you typically write and test software.

Can a non it person learn cloud computing? ›

Yes, you can definitely become a cloud computing professional even if you belong from a non-technical background.

What is the highest AWS salaries? ›

What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Aws Jobs in the U.S.
Job TitleAnnual SalaryMonthly Pay
Aws Security Engineer$163,400$13,616
Aws Solution Architect Professional$162,320$13,526
Aws Cloud Infrastructure Architect$158,526$13,210
Senior Aws Solution Architect$157,525$13,127
1 more row

Who pays more AWS or Amazon? ›

Amazon is subdivided into three operating profit segments: North America, International, and AWS. Amazon AWS is the most profitable segment, with almost $23 billion in operating profit in 2022.

What is the salary after Azure 900 certification? ›

Azure Cloud Engineer salary in India ranges between ₹ 3.5 Lakhs to ₹ 14.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 6.0 Lakhs. Salary estimates are based on 1k latest salaries received from Azure Cloud Engineers.

What is the salary of az900 certification in USA? ›

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

However, it also discusses Azure management tools and features related to Azure network security, identity, governance, privacy, and compliance. The Azure Fundamentals certification helped people earn an average salary of $126,653 in 2020, Global Knowledge reports.

How much does AZ 800 certification pay? ›

More than the skills acknowledgment, passing the AZ-800 exam delivers a sign to organizations that you deserve high wages. Microsoft Certification holders often relish higher salaries than those with no relevant certifications. The annual salary of a Windows Server administrator is around $84,639 per annum.

Which AWS exam is the hardest? ›

Solutions Architect Professional: Another 75-question exam, with many lengthy questions and confusing options, makes this one of the toughest exams out there.

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