How Much Do Cloud Computing Professionals Make?

These days, cloud computing represents a large part of the technology industry. Cloud computing is one of the most sought-after technology skills employers today want, given recent increases in cybersecurity threats around the world. As IT departments embrace new tiers of technology management and attempt to keep their organizations' people and devices safe, cloud computing will continue to drive growth.

Your income as a cloud computing professional will depend on several factors, including your employer, location, years of experience, active certifications and your unique skills.

How do I begin a career in cloud computing?

If you're considering a career in cloud computing, you're certainly not alone. Employment in computer and information technology careers should increase 15% over the next decade, creating more than 682,000 job openings around the world. As distributed technology continues to play a large role in modern business, cloud computing careers offer something for everyone.

Not everyone will begin a career in cloud computing via the same path. Some learners will participate in a four-year college degree program in order to learn cloud skills. In other cases, students might opt for a Cloud Computing Bootcamp, a program that teaches foundational cloud skills in a fractional of the normal time — without high university education fees.

To begin a career in cloud computing, you'll need expertise in a few critical skills. Depending on your preferred cloud computing career, you might need skills in some, or all, of the following cloud fields:

• Network security
• Cloud deployment
• Cloud computing policy
• Cloud debugging
• Data analysis
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Popular operating systems, like Linux, OSX and Windows

Basic programming skills can also give you an advantage in a cloud computing environment. You might also need to depend on skills in interpersonal communication, particularly if you will be educating an organization's employees in cloud computing best practices.

What will I make as a cloud computing professional?

Your income as a cloud computing professional will depend on several different factors. For example, your compensation in cloud computing may depend on your employer or their location, your skills, any active certifications or even the projects or tasks you've completed in the position.

Of course, your compensation will also depend on your position with your employer. Reference the details below for a little more information on popular cloud computing careers and the average compensation associated with each.

Cloud engineer

If you want to heavily impact an organization's cloud infrastructure, a career as a cloud engineer might be for you. As a cloud engineer, you'll find yourself building and maintaining entire cloud networks. You may also play a role in protecting the employees, devices and data that make up your cloud infrastructure. Though the role of a cloud engineer is more technical in nature, you may still need to depend on skills in teaching, communication or public speaking — particularly across smaller companies where you might have a role enforcing the same policies you create.

Average Salary: $122,122 per year

Machine learning engineer

Your role as a machine learning engineer will include a heavy dose of artificial intelligence, data science and AI algorithms — all to create processes and systems that make life easier for other members of your organization. Machine learning engineers often help connect a team's data scientists and analysts with the machine learning processes that need them.

Average Salary: $129,628

Systems analyst

As a systems analyst, it's your job to keep your organization's cloud network functioning as smoothly and as efficiently as possible. You might audit networks, research or troubleshoot IT challenges or connect with organizational employees about their system usage habits. Systems analysts also help to test organizational devices, systems and data collection processes to make sure that wasted time and spend are kept to a minimum. When a systems analyst identifies an opportunity for optimization — or simply an opportunity to keep networks more secure — they will also work with other members of an IT team to implement changes.

Average Salary: $87,895

Solutions architect

You'll work to design hardware or software systems to improve organizational efficiency as a solutions architect. In your IT role, you'll help your employer solve all sort of technology-related challenges they might face. Depending on your role, you might also help to create and implement strategies that employees will follow on a regular basis.

Average Salary: $198,688

Cloud computing professionals are in high demand — and are expected to remain in high demand for years to come. With the right combination of skill and experience, you'll find yourself well on your way to earning the cloud career you deserve.

Level up your cloud computing knowledge today

There's never been a better time to get into cloud computing. No matter your cloud skills or your job preference, you'll be able to find a career in cloud computing that provides meaningful income and opportunities for growth.

And if you need to improve your understanding of cloud computing before you're ready for that six-igure cloud computing job, you've come to the right place. At QuickStart, we specialize in cloud computing education that takes aspiring IT professionals like you to the next level. Learn strategies in cloud fundamentals, cloud architecture, systems administration and more from our Cloud Computing Bootcamp.

Connect with our Solutions team for more information.