Dreaming of a career in the cloud? You’ve come to the right spot! According to NASSCOM, by 2026, the cloud business will be ready to offer an incredible 14 million job opportunities, which will triple in the next five years.
Deloitte reports that, in 2024, for the first time, business spending on cloud computing will cross the mark of US$1 trillion. This fact highlights Why Cloud computing is extremely important for businesses.
Intrigued? If so, keep reading this article on how to become a cloud engineer, where we will provide you with a step-by-step roadmap that can help you become a Cloud Engineer with no experience.
Table of Contents
Check out this video on How to become a Cloud Engineer and the skills required:
What is Cloud Engineering?
The field of cloud engineering involves designing, developing, and maintaining cloud service infrastructure. Cloud engineers are responsible for creating and managing databases and cloud services to ensure they’re secure, scalable, and reliable. They work with various cloud technologies, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform(GCP), to deliver applications, manage data, and maintain infrastructure. Let’s look at the perks of starting a career in cloud computing.
Why Becoming a Cloud Engineer is a Great Career Choice?
Here are several convincing reasons that make cloud computing a great career choice:
Increased Demand: Organizations are progressively shifting to the cloud. According to a recent report by Indeed, cloud job postings have increased by 70% in the past year! This means that people with the right skills can have good opportunities and job security in the near future.
Competitive Salaries: In the US, the typical cloud engineer pulls a sum of US$125,219, with top professionals surpassing US$200,000. Glassdoor states that the average salary in India is also rising, reaching ₹5.5 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs, with much higher salaries for skilled professionals.
Growth Opportunity: According to Techgig, it is estimated that there will be more than 220,000 available positions in the field of cloud computing by 2025. As a result, many tech companies are placing a high priority on filling these roles by 2024. It’s no surprise, as the cloud computing market is expected to grow exponentially, reaching an impressive $1.5 trillion by 2024.
Work Flexibility: With access to Wi-Fi, you can work pretty much from anywhere, virtually. This allows you to blend work with leisure, and even explore job opportunities abroad. It is a notable perk of being a cloud engineer, which enables you to maintain a healthy work-life balance with the convenience of working remotely.
As of now, you have got an idea why Cloud Computing can be a perfect fit to upskill your career. Moving forward let us understand if it is hard to acquire skills to become a cloud engineer.
Is It Hard to Become a Cloud Engineer?
Absolutely not! If you are willing to upskill yourself, learning cloud computing will not be a difficult journey. Cloud has become an imperative skill in the development industry, and if you are part of this industry, you will quickly understand how important it is. Traditional data storage methods have completely become outdated now and they are pretty costly. That’s why there is a huge rise in cloud adoption.
Even though the adoption and demand are high, you will be amazed to know that, to master cloud computing, you don’t need coding skills nor require specific qualifications. All you need to do is learn about certain cloud services, how the cloud infrastructure is built, and how applications are managed over the cloud. That’s it! Learning these notions will present you with an entry-level job opportunity.
Then you can build up from there as you progress in your career. That’s why at the beginning itself we quoted that learning cloud is not difficult if you have the willingness to learn.
Here are a few more reasons worth mentioning that render cloud computing an easier career proposition to master :
- There are plenty of resources available for those looking to enhance their skills.
- Free tutorials, online courses, and bootcamps make learning easily accessible.
- Additionally, there are multiple entry points for individuals from varying backgrounds – IT, programming, or even other fields – to transition into this industry.
- To further test your skills and stand out in the competitive job market, industry-recognized certifications are available.
- Finally, active online communities provide support, mentorship, and networking opportunities for aspiring individuals to connect and grow within the tech community.
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of pursuing a career in cloud engineering, let’s look at the roles and responsibilities of a Cloud Engineer.
Cloud Engineer Job Descriptions
One thing is important to note is that ‘cloud engineer’ is not a single job role, rather it’s an umbrella term for anyone who works on cloud technology. Here are the roles that fall under the niche title of cloud engineer:
Let’s look at some top job descriptions for the cloud engineer profile:
Source: LinkedIn Job Description for Cloud Engineer – Concentrix
Source: LinkedIn Job Description for Cloud Engineer – Genpact
Summarizing, the major roles and responsibilities/skills that a cloud engineer requires are:
- Develop and maintain a cloud strategy
- Evaluate and recommend cloud platforms based on business needs
- Implement security best practices and compliance standards
- Design cloud architecture for scalability and performance.
- Analyze cloud expenses and optimize costs through resource rightsizing and usage analysis
- Collaborate with different teams to ensure seamless integration of cloud services
Who Can Become a Cloud Engineer?
Are you dreaming of being a cloud engineer? Without any delay, just start with the basics, irrespective of your educational background. It’s open to anyone only if you stay passionate about it. If you’re interested in learning new things or love technology, you can become a cloud engineer by following the path we will; be discussing in this blog.
For Tech people:
- IT Professionals: If you have experience in computer networks, system administration, or cyber security, then your existing knowledge translates well to managing cloud infrastructure.
- Coders: Brush up your skills in Python, Java, or Go, and you can tackle automation tasks and scripting in the cloud. Even with non-cloud-specific languages, problem-solving abilities will work in your favor.
For Non-Tech people:
- Logical Mindset: If you have logical abilities, you can excel in this role, as cloud engineering involves problem-solving and critical thinking, skills that are valuable in any field of work.
- Quick learners: The cloud computing technology evolves rapidly, so continuous learning is very important. If you are good at grasping new concepts early, then learning cloud computing will not be a difficult task for you.
- Positive Approach: No IT background? No problem! Use the abundant online resources, bootcamps, and communities to fill the gap in your knowledge. If you are motivated enough to crack this role, you will definitely do it.
Skills Required to Become Cloud Engineer
Here, the essential skills are highlighted to provide detailed explanations and practical examples for each one of the following:
- Cloud Platform Knowledge: Select the best cloud computing platforms, like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, but plan early! Avoid following trends blindly; instead, evaluate each platform’s offerings thoroughly. Now, put the knowledge into use! Deploy apps, manage resources, and save money. Hands-on training is essential for mastering cloud technologies and becoming an expert in the field.
- Networking and Internet Fundamentals: Start with the fundamentals of network protocols, subnetting, routing, and security principles. Learn the art of designing, configuring, and overseeing virtual networks on the cloud platform. And apply it in configuring and optimizing communication across various cloud resources.
- Operating Systems: To excel in cloud engineering, having good knowledge of Linux is important, as it involves almost all of the cloud infrastructures. Understanding command-line basics, navigating systems, and performing system administration tasks are considered essential skills. Moreover, having knowledge of Windows Server management in cloud environments can be beneficial, especially in certain scenarios.
- Programming Languages: As a cloud engineer, it is essential to have a diverse range of programming skills, such as proficiency in SQL, Python, and Java. These languages help you to create code and effectively develop, deploy, and monitor applications. Keep in mind that there are a number of programming languages to explore, so be sure to carefully review the job description to identify any preferred languages indicated by the company.
- DevOps Principles: To keep up with the evolving world of cloud engineering, understanding DevOps best practices and the associated tools is essential. Fast learners need to be proficient in Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) to proceed with software development and deployment, ensuring bug-free code. There are several tools, including Jenkins, Azure, and Docker, available to help you in this process.
- Security and Recovery: To protect the cloud from data attacks and potential cyber threats, it’s essential to take the necessary precautions and have proficient knowledge of implementing cybersecurity and cloud computing. Any malfunction within the cloud infrastructure can lead to setbacks and disruptions in client operations, ultimately posing risks to their business continuity and reputation.
- Understanding Virtualization: As a cloud engineer, you must understand virtualization technologies to efficiently deploy and manage application software on virtual machines (VMs). This involves creating, configuring, and maintaining VMs to reduce resource usage and manage different tasks at one time.
- Web Services and APIs: If you aim to be a cloud engineer, you need to have an understanding of web services and APIs, including XML, SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI. Why do we need open standards? To help with communication between different software systems. This helps make sharing data between different apps on the cloud smooth and easy, no matter what kind of apps they are.
If you are good at the skills mentioned above, you have a strong chance of becoming a successful cloud engineer. Don’t be stressed about the role. Now, scroll down to the step-by-step guide that will help you the best.
How to Become a Cloud Engineer: Step-by-Step Guide
To start a successful journey toward becoming a cloud engineer, here’s a detailed roadmap outlining the necessary steps:
Step 1 – Educational Foundation
A strong educational background is necessary for a successful career in cloud engineering. A bachelor’s degree in a related field such as information technology or computer science will be of great help. Although not always mandatory, it greatly enhances your skills and understanding of the industry. This degree will give you a fundamental knowledge of computer science concepts, mathematics, and programming to excel in cloud engineering roles.
Start learning basic IT concepts and gain proficiency in operating systems, networking, and programming languages such as Python, Java, or C#. Understanding these basics will provide a strong hold on your cloud computing skills. You can also get help from different resources, which are freely available on the internet, like YouTube, technical blogs, or articles, to clear your concepts of cloud engineering.
Step 3 – Specialize in Cloud Technologies
If we have the technical skills, now it’s the right time to pick the cloud technology, which suits your domain the most. There are basically three big players in this industry- AWS, GCP, and Microsoft Azure. Each of them has its own benefits, it depends on the individual interests, as there are four major categories of the levels of certifications:
Foundational Certifications – Provides a basic understanding of cloud concepts and platforms (e.g. CompTIA Cloud+ and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner).
Associate-Level Certifications – Gives an idea of the core cloud skills necessary for specific roles (e.g., Microsoft Azure AZ-900, Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect).
Professional-Level Certifications – Indicate advanced expertise and ability to design, implement, and manage complex cloud solutions (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert).
Specialty Certification – Focuses on deeper knowledge in specific areas like security, networking, or data analytics (e.g AWS Certified Security—Specialty, Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate).
It is up to you how and why you choose to move forward with the next certification—there are many options and courses available to start learning from cloud-based certifications. It can be challenging to start from scratch as a beginner, but you shouldn’t worry. With our detailed step-by-step guide for cloud engineers, we’ve got you covered.
Step 4 – Hands-on Experience
Working on cloud computing projects is the best approach to obtaining real-world experience. You can improve your skills by working on additional projects. Training on real projects can help you grow in your profession as a cloud engineer. You should know that working on completed projects will eventually improve your knowledge, technical proficiency, and confidence in general. You’ll have in-depth knowledge of the most recent developments in cloud technology as a result of your practical experience developing real-world projects.
Step 5 – Build a Fantastic Cloud Computing Portfolio
You need to develop a diverse portfolio that includes cloud-based projects, which can be helpful in cost-cutting, automation, security, and model deployment. As a suggestion, you should always choose projects with defined goals, processes, and outcomes that should be documented. Try to use real scenarios, technological assets, and practical examples.
Cloud Engineer Jobs Available Right Now
We have created a list of the top 4 cloud engineering job roles, including their vacancies in the US and India, based on information from Indeed and LinkedIn.
Right now, if you just Google and browse ‘Cloud/Solution Architect Jobs in India’, you will find out that just on LinkedIn, there are 14000+ jobs available.
Source: LinkedIn Job Postings For India
And the number is bigger, when it comes to the USA it is reaching high up to 18,000+ vacancies.
Source: LinkedIn Job Postings For US
Below are the job opportunities available for other cloud engineer job roles such as cloud developer, cloud administrator and cloud security engineer.
| Cloud Engineer Job Roles | India (Vacancies) | US (Vacancies) |
| Cloud/Solution Architect | 14000+ | 18000+ |
| Cloud Developer | 23000+ | 30000+ |
| Cloud Administrator | 2000+ | 14000+ |
| Cloud Security Engineer | 8000+ | 3000+ |
Salary of Cloud Engineers
Salaries for cloud engineers may vary in different countries and regions, depending on local job markets and the need for cloud skills. Salaries can range higher for professionals with expertise in cloud security, DevOps, and machine learning.
According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a cloud engineer in India is ₹7,80,000 per annum. An entry-level cloud engineer can earn somewhere between 4.5-5 lakhs per annum, while a senior-level cloud engineer can earn up to 13 lakhs per annum.
Source: Glassdoor
The average salary for a cloud engineer is $113,965 per year in the United States. The salary of a cloud engineer can vary based on factors such as experience, location, level of education, and the specific company or industry. An entry-level cloud engineer salary ranges from $80-$83,000, and the senior level cloud engineer can easily make up to $1,88,000 per annum.
Source: Glassdoor
The blog has covered the essential steps on how to become a cloud engineer. It all begins with obtaining the necessary education and then pursuing a specialization in cloud technologies through certifications and hands-on experience. It’s very important to continue to update yourself, and effectively demonstrate your skills. Remember, patience and hard work are crucial components, as without them, learning holds no real value.
FAQs
Are cloud engineering jobs hard to get?
The increasing demand for cloud engineers in 2024 makes landing jobs in this field quite challenging. To get an offer as a cloud engineer requires expertise in cloud technologies, experience, certifications, and strong problem-solving skills. You should also be familiar with networking, and also, make a habit of continuous self-improvement through regular skill upgrades.
What is the work environment like for cloud engineers?
You can often see them engaging in different types of environments. One day they might work in teams, and another day they can have the privilege of working from home. With experience in managing cloud infrastructure, their job tends to be less stressful and more comfortable.
Where do cloud engineers work?
For your information, cloud engineers are in high demand from tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, and innovative startups are also hiring cloud engineers for their companies. As we all know, these skilled professionals are helping with building and managing the cloud infrastructure with ease.
Which cloud certification is the most valuable?
One can find the perfect certification depending on their respective career goals. If you want to get high salaries, consider Google’s Professional Cloud Architect or Microsoft’s Azure Solutions Architect Expert. And if you want to have a broad appeal, AWS Certified Solutions Architect is the best pick for you.
Is a degree required to become a cloud engineer?
You should not worry about having a bachelor’s degree. While a CS degree can open doors, a cloud engineer tag isn’t restricted! Many companies value hands-on experience and certifications in AWS, Azure, or GCP. You should focus on sharpening your skills, building projects, and networking, which will help you land a job as a cloud engineer.