In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, where more than 100 zettabytes of data will be stored in the cloud by 2025 (Cybercrime Magazine), the term "cloud engineering" has become increasingly prominent.
But what exactly is cloud engineering, and why should you consider it as a career option?
In this article, we will explore the world of cloud engineering, focusing on its job outlook, salary trends, and the path to success. Whether you're a curious beginner or someone contemplating a career shift, this article will provide valuable insights into this dynamic field.
The Digital Revolution: From CDs to Streaming
Do you remember the days when you had to carry around physical CDs to listen to your favorite music? If you were born before the 2000s, that was the way to listen to music on-the-go.
Fast forward to today, and streaming services have taken over. And it’s not even just for music.
This shift from physical to digital is a prime example of the ongoing digital revolution that has trickled upwards towards all types of businesses. In fact, 70% of businesses identify moving their data to the cloud as one of their top priorities.
Businesses are moving away from traditional, on-premises IT infrastructure to cloud-based solutions for scalability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Because the cloud has become a cornerstone of modern IT strategies, this digital focus has enabled companies to innovate, reduce overhead costs, and stay competitive in a fast-paced market.
Businesses nowadays love the cloud for its ability to store vast amounts of data, provide on-demand computing power, and offer seamless scalability. However, here are a few more reasons why companies are transitioning to utilizing more cloud computing strategies:
- Scalability: Cloud computing allows companies to easily scale their IT resources up or down based on demand. This flexibility ensures they can handle sudden increases in traffic or data processing without significant upfront investments.
- Cost efficiency: As mentioned previously, eliminating the need for on-premises infrastructure and maintenance, cloud computing reduces capital expenses. Companies pay only for the resources they use, shifting IT costs to an operational expenditure model, which can lead to significant cost savings.
- Automatic updates: Cloud providers handle system updates and maintenance, ensuring that software and security patches are applied promptly. This frees up IT staff from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic initiatives.
- Accessibility: Cloud services can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This accessibility fosters remote work, collaboration across geographies, and improved customer service.
- Global reach: Cloud providers have data centers in multiple regions worldwide. This global presence allows companies to expand into new markets more easily and provide low-latency services to users across the globe.
- Environmental impact: Cloud providers typically operate more energy-efficient data centers than on-premises solutions. By migrating to the cloud, companies can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to sustainability goals.
- Disaster recovery: Cloud platforms often offer robust disaster recovery and backup solutions. Companies can replicate data and applications across multiple data centers, reducing the risk of data loss due to unforeseen events.
Exploring the Surge in Cloud Engineering Careers
As more businesses adopt cloud technology, the demand for skilled cloud engineers is skyrocketing. Companies across various industries are actively seeking professionals who can design, build, and manage their cloud infrastructure.
Today, up to 94% of companies use cloud computing to some extent. This creates new positions for cloud engineers required to install, manage, and protect corporate cloud infrastructure of all sizes.
Job Outlook for Cloud Engineers (Is There a Place for You?)
The job outlook for cloud engineers is exceptionally promising. For example, careers in computer and information research - one of several pivotal cloud fields — is projected to grow 23% through 2032 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is a growth rate much faster than the average across all occupations.
The surge in cloud engineering popularity is also behind a scaling IT landscape. Growth across the IT and computer information fields should create an estimated 377,500 new job openings each year, many in important career paths like cloud architecture and cloud engineering (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
It's not just tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google that are hiring cloud engineers. Industries like healthcare, finance, and retail are also on the hunt for cloud engineering talent. Cloud expertise is no longer limited to a specific sector, making it a versatile career choice.
Salary Trends for Cloud Engineers
Salaries are competitive when it comes to virtually any cloud computing position, including cloud engineering. Entry-level cloud engineers can expect to earn a respectable income, while experienced professionals often command even higher salaries. On average, cloud engineers earn above-average wages compared to other IT roles.
On average, cloud engineers — a subset of computer and information research scientists according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — earn $78,190 per year. The highest 10% of cloud engineers can take home as much as $232,010.
Factors Affecting Cloud Engineering Salaries
There are several important factors that can affect your overall salary as a cloud engineer. Here are a few of the most important factors affecting your income:
- Location: Your geographical location can have a significant impact on your cloud engineering income. In regions with a high cost of living, such as Silicon Valley, cloud engineers tend to earn higher salaries to match the increased expenses associated with living in those areas. Conversely, in regions with a lower cost of living, salaries for cloud engineers may be comparatively lower. Connect with QuickStart’s Career Services program for more information on positioning yourself for remote or in-person cloud engineering work.
- Experience: Experience is a key determinant of your income as a cloud engineer. Entry-level cloud engineers typically earn less than their more experienced counterparts. As you gain years of experience and build a track record of successful projects and skills, your earning potential tends to increase.
- Active certifications: Cloud engineering certifications, such as those offered by AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, can significantly impact your income. Possessing relevant and up-to-date certifications demonstrates your proficiency in specific cloud technologies and platforms.
- Industry: Some industries, like finance and healthcare, may offer higher salaries for cloud engineers due to the complexity and critical nature of their IT infrastructure. Others, such as startups or nonprofit organizations, may have budget constraints that impact salary levels.
- Company size: Larger organizations with extensive cloud infrastructure needs may offer more competitive salaries to attract top talent. Startups and smaller companies may offer competitive compensation packages as well, often coupled with stock options or other incentives.
- Specializations: Cloud engineers who focus on niche areas like cloud security, DevOps, or machine learning may command higher salaries because of their specialized expertise. Specializations often require additional training and certifications, but they can open up lucrative career opportunities.
The cost of living in your area can significantly impact your earning potential as a cloud engineer. Exploring remote work options or relocating to areas with a lower cost of living may be worth considering.
What Skills Will I Need as a Cloud Engineer?
To excel in cloud engineering, you need a strong foundation in areas such as networking, virtualization, and cloud computing platforms. Soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork are also invaluable in this field.
Here are a few specific skills you’ll need as a cloud engineer:
- Infrastructure as code (IaC): Skills in tools like Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, or Azure Resource Manager are crucial for efficient infrastructure provisioning and management.
- Networking: A strong grasp of cloud networking concepts is vital. This includes knowledge of virtual private clouds (VPCs), subnets, security groups, and how to configure networking for optimal performance, security, and scalability.
- Scripting and coding: Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell, Bash) and programming languages (e.g., Java, C#, Node.js) is valuable for creating custom automation scripts and applications to interact with cloud services.
- Database management: Knowledge of cloud-based database services like Amazon RDS, Azure SQL Database, or Google Cloud SQL is essential for managing data storage, retrieval, and maintenance in the cloud.
- Containerization: Proficiency in containerization technologies like Docker and container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes is increasingly important for deploying and managing applications in the cloud.
- DevOps: Embracing DevOps culture and practices, including collaboration, automation, and communication between development and operations teams, is essential for streamlining development and deployment processes.
- Troubleshooting: Strong troubleshooting skills are necessary for diagnosing and resolving issues in cloud environments quickly. This includes identifying root causes and implementing solutions efficiently.
Your Journey into Cloud Engineering Can Start Today
The job outlook and earning potential for cloud engineers are exceptionally promising, and the digital transformation sweeping across industries has created a robust demand for skilled professionals in this field.
To embark on your journey into cloud engineering, consider enrolling in QuickStart's Cloud Engineering Bootcamp.
With 35 years of experience in IT training, QuickStart is a trusted resource that can equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in this dynamic industry. Don't miss out on the exciting opportunities in cloud engineering, where you’ll learn all the skills that today’s cloud employers look for.