Cloud Careers and Essential Certifications Guide

(December 20 2024)
Share this page

Your One-stop Guide to Cloud Careers and Essential Certifications  

The rise of cloud computing has altered the business model to give organizations the power to scale, innovate and remain competitive. As more companies move to the cloud, the demand for qualified experts is increasing dramatically. For beginners and professionals alike, cloud-based real-world training and certifications can lead to endless opportunities. This list outlines the certifications you should have, their paths, and the businesses that are eager to hire cloud professionals.  

  

Why Consider a Cloud Career?   

Cloud computing is the way to go if you are looking for a competitive profession. High-impact cloud workshops and certifications, such as AWS Bootcamp or Azure Cloud Fundamentals, are becoming more popular alternatives to degrees. These courses attract employers because they validate that you have learned in-depth, cloud-specific skills. Then, certifications make it easier to land good-paying positions and establish a stable career. Cloud training and real projects in the lab will give you the knowledge you need to succeed in the tech-enabled career marketplace.  

  

The Green & White Future of Cloud Jobs!  

The demand for cloud experts is not slowing down anytime soon. With businesses increasingly looking to the cloud for cost savings and increased agility, opportunities for work in the fields of cloud infrastructure, security and DevOps are growing rapidly.  

Gartner predicts that public cloud services worldwide will increase in spending by over 20% a year, and cloud computing is the leading IT job growth driver according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Certifications ranging from cloud architects and security professionals to DevOps engineers such as AWS Bootcamp and Azure DevOps Expert are opening doors for new, rewarding career opportunities.  

  

Cloud Certifications and Career Options Top Cloud Certifications and Career Opportunities  

  

See how various cloud certifications can propel you into exciting careers in the quickest-growing industries.  

 

  1. Getting Started: Foundational Certifications

Fundamental certifications are ideal for those starting out and they provide a solid foundation in cloud concepts and services. These certifications are stepping stones to higher level positions.  

  

Azure Cloud Fundamentals (AZ-900) 

  • What It Does: Introduction to Azure, core services, security, and pricing— great for beginners.  
  • Career Options:   
    • Cloud Support Associate: Resolves Azure issues. Average Salary: $55,000.   
    • Tech Support Engineer: Defining customer issues on Azure. Average Salary: $50,000.   
    • Cloud Analyst: Measures and enhances cloud productivity. Average Salary: $60,000.   
    • Sales Engineer: Represents Azure features to clients. Average Salary: $65,000.  
  • Who’s Hiring: IT consultancies, customer service teams, and tech giants such as Microsoft, IBM, and Rackspace.  

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 

  • What It Offers: Basic AWS features, cloud basics, and billing— great for beginners.  
  • Career Options:   
    • Cloud Sales Expert: Explains AWS solutions to customers. Average Salary: $65,000.   
    • Junior Cloud Analyst: Tracks AWS usage and costs. Average Salary: $60,000.   
    • Cloud Business Analyst: Monitors usage patterns to optimise services. Average Salary: $63,000.  
  • Who’s Hiring: Amazon, Netflix, Adobe, and other a/f businesses.  

  

  1. Securing the Cloud: Cybersecurity Roles 

As cyber threats increase, cloud security has been an important issue. Certificates in this field are concerned with protecting data and compliance.  

  

AWS Certified Security – Specialty   

  • What It Contains: Identity access management (IAM), threat protection, and AWS Data Protection.  
  • Career Options:   
    • Cloud Security Engineer: Manages AWS security. Average Salary: $95,000.   
    • Compliance Analyst: Keeps data secure to compliance requirements. Average Salary: $85,000.  
  • Who’s Hiring: Financial, healthcare, and insurance companies. 

Azure Security Engineer Associate   

  • What It Does: Platform Protection, Identity Management, and Azure Compliance.  
  • Career Options:   
    • Security Operations Analyst: Looks for and analyzes threats. Average Salary: $87,000.   
    • Cloud Security Engineer: Manages Azure security protocols. Average Salary: $90,000.   
  • Who’s Hiring: Pharmaceutical, retail, and enterprise IT companies.  

  

  1. Networking in the Cloud 

Networking certifications ensure that you can build and maintain safe, scalable cloud networks — which is vital as your infrastructure scales.  

  

AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty Certification  

  • What It Covers: Advanced Network Design and AWS Performance.  
  • Career Options:  
    • Cloud Network Engineer: Manages AWS connectivity. Average Salary: $90,000.  
    • Solutions Architect (Network Focus): Develops secure hybrid networks. Average Salary: $100,000.   
  • Who’s Hiring: Telephone and hybrid cloud companies such as Verizon and T-Mobile.  

Azure Network Engineer Associate   

  • What It Covers: Network design, VPNs, secure connections in Azure.  
  • Career Options:   
    • Azure Network Engineer: Controls Azure networks and connections. Average Salary: $85,000.   
    • Expert in Cloud Solution: Optimizes network design. Average Salary: $87,000.   
  • Who’s Hiring: Automotive, manufacturing, and software vendors.  

 

  1. Automating Success: DevOps Roles 

DevOps certifications emphasize process automation and CI/CD.  

 

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Technical Expert  

  • What It Covers: Infrastructure automation, CI/CD, and system optimization.  
  • Career Options:    
    • AWS DevOps Engineer: Manages automation processes in the cloud. Average Salary: $110,000.   
    • Automation Engineer: Creates deployment scripts. Average Salary: $100,000.   
  • Who’s Hiring: Fintech, eCommerce, and startups.  

Azure DevOps Engineer Expert   

  • What It Contains: CI/CD and Azure Automation.  
  • Career Options:   
    •  Azure DevOps Engineer: Pipelines and deployments. Average Salary: $105,000.   
    •  Infrastructure Automation Expert: Rapidly automates deployments. Average Salary: $102,000. 
  • Who’s Hiring: Healthcare, Financial and International IT companies.  

  

Bringing It All Together   

Certifications such as AWS Bootcamp, DevOps Bootcamp and Azure Cloud Fundamentals can pave your way to a rewarding cloud career. Whether you’re learning from the ground up or working your way up to more specialized areas, these programs teach you highly sought-after skills. High intensity cloud workshops and industry-based projects prepare you for the workforce right off the bat. If you want to be part of the growing cloud industry, now is the time to get in on the action.