Cloud Computing Engineer Salary – How Much Do AWS, Google, and Microsoft Pay?

Cloud computing engineer salary differs from company to company. Nevertheless, it is one of the highest-paying cloud professions.

There’s an insane demand for Cloud Professionals and it shows zero sign of ever calming down. Since 2020, the demand has shown a consistent increase and more people are turning towards cloud computing certifications.

Among these certifications, some pay a lot higher than others, such as Cloud Solutions Architect and Cloud Computing Engineer Certification. It’s a great decision if you are interested in becoming a cloud computing engineer.

Therefore, in this article, we will have a quick overview of what a cloud computing engineer is and what roles a cloud engineer play.

By the time you finish reading, you will not only have the answer to the actual cloud computing engineer salary but already have in-depth knowledge regarding the Cloud Computing Engineer career path.

What is a Cloud Computing Engineer?

Cloud computing engineers are IT professionals who possess in-depth knowledge of the cloud. They work alongside cloud architects to create and maintain cloud infrastructure and solutions.

Becoming a cloud engineer means that you are a true master of:

  • Cloud Architecture (Developing Cloud Solutions at an enterprise level),
  • Cloud Development (Coding in the Cloud),
  • Cloud Administration (Working with the Networks in Cloud).

Here are two things that happen when you get a certification in cloud computing engineer: If you are new, you have just boosted your chances of landing your first job with a high-paying salary; If you are already working in the cloud for a company, you are certainly getting a pay raise.

Is Cloud Computing Engineer Certification Good?

Cloud Computing Engineers belong to the top 16% of earners in the United States making well over $170,000 annually in 2022. This is the easiest way to answer the question if cloud computing engineer certification is any good.

This is a lot more than a 4-year engineering degree could get you alongside a decade of experience. Therefore, it is an unfair competition if you run a comparison of traditional careers against cloud computing engineers.

Moreover, unlike other professions, a cloud computing engineer can work a variety of roles – it’s a career path that sets you up for life!

Comparison of Cloud Computing Engineers: Azure, Google, and AWS

If you are on the journey of becoming a cloud engineer, then an average job is only a milestone before you reach your target – The top three Cloud platforms. Google Cloud (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

So let’s have a quick run of how cloud engineers compare in these three platforms.

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services were launched in 2006. Since then, AWS held the highest share of the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) market. To be precise, 34% market share.

What does that mean? It means that AWS certifications have the highest chance of providing the best returns for certified professionals in terms of pure demand and numbers.

Currently, AWS offers over 176 services to choose from, making it the clear victor in terms of services. However, the downside is that AWS is also a more costly cloud solutions option and has a comparatively more complex pricing structure.

As a Cloud Engineer, you will have an abundance of opportunities in AWS.

2. Microsoft Azure

Right after AWS, we have Microsoft Azure. From 2017 to 2022, Microsoft Azure increased its IaaS market share up to 21%. Most importantly, there are other services that clients are familiar with such as Office 365 and Microsoft Teams.

This familiarity is good enough to attract clients into opting for Azure and is one of the reasons for the success of the vendor.

Azure Cloud Engineers specialize in accessing the company’s infrastructure to assess the best methods for cloudification, as well as looking after the migration process and maintenance that comes in later.

In addition, they are also responsible for the designing of virtual networks, deployment of virtual machines in Azure, and creating solutions that support workloads with high performance and a high level of security.

3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Finally, Google Cloud Platform holds an 8% share in the IaaS market for good reasons. The platform is comparatively new and therefore, offers a narrower set of services.

Arguably, GCP is underrated as it is comparatively easy to use and offers just about enough services to seamlessly support an organization’s cloud infrastructure. GCP focuses more on machine learning and is more open-source-oriented. This is one reason why new businesses are opting for GCP.

Furthermore, GCP offers the highest affordability in terms of general computing. This not only makes it an enticing option for businesses but also for startups that are on a thin budget.

Regardless, Cloud Engineers with Google certification are in high demand as the platform is still gaining more audience every year. To sum up, it is a good way of futureproofing your abilities and employability when more businesses turn to GCP.

Become A Cloud Computing Engineer In Less Than a Month

Yes, the cloud computing engineer salary can be enticing and so is the path to easily get a cloud computing engineer certification.

Everything you need to know about cloud computing engineers is available in this article. Therefore, you are all set in that regard. The next step in your journey is to take it step-by-step and get your certification.

However, before you can get the cloud engineer certification, you should earn a foundational level certification. Consider it more of a bonus point rather than an optional step.

Even the foundational level certifications can help you start your career as a cloud professional. Nevertheless, these certifications are the best and most important for learning all the essentials of the cloud platform you intend to work with.

For this guide, we’ll be going for Google certification. If you would rather go for Amazon AWS or Microsoft Azure, the steps still remain the same.

Step 1: Enroll in a Good Foundational Level Course

Google Cloud Certified – Cloud Digital Leader is the foundational level certification currently offered by Google. Acquiring this certification means that you have the fundamental knowledge to be called a cloud professional.

Enrolling in the cloud digital leader course means that you will learn about the following:

  • Digital Transformation with the Google Cloud,
  • How to innovate with data and the Google Cloud,
  • Google clouds infrastructure,
  • Modernization of applications,
  • Securing Google cloud,
  • Google cloud operations,

All that, and the only thing you need is your laptop with an internet connection. Note that, exam questions are frequently updated. Therefore, you need to only buy a course that is up to date.

Step 2: Take a Simulated Practice Exam

Clearing the course shouldn’t take you more than a week at max. However, study at your own pace and prioritize learning everything in detail to get the best results.

The next step is to understand the certification exam. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you attempt a cloud certified – cloud digital leader simulated practice exam. The simulated practice exam is made to give you a precise replica of your original certification exam.

Therefore, the practice exam includes 50 multiple-choice questions covering the following domains:

  • Digital transformation with Google Cloud (10% of the exam),
  • Innovating with data and Google Cloud (30% of the exam),
  • Infrastructure and application modernization (30% of the exam),
  • Google Cloud security and operations (30% of the exam),

Once you pass this exam, you’ll be able to better manage your time in the official exam and clear it way before the time duration. Nevertheless, keep practicing until you strengthen your concepts.

Step 3: Register for Your Google Cloud Digital Leader Exam

Finishing up the course and simulated practice exam shouldn’t take you long. If you dedicate enough time to it, you should be done in less than a week.

The next step is to register for your Google Cloud Digital Leader Certification Exam. Here’s a quick overview of the exam:

Length1 hour 30 minutes
LanguagesEnglish and Japanese
Exam Format50 – 60 Multiple Choice and Multiple Select Questions
Cost99 USD

You can either register for an online proctored exam or select a nearby test center for an on-site proctored exam.

Step 4: Enroll in an Associate Cloud Engineer Course

You are getting closer and closer to becoming an associate cloud engineer and there is nothing more exciting than that.

However, you’re not there yet and the second step is to start preparing for the main exam. Once again, you need a good course.

If you have already gone through the first steps and completed the digital leader course, you must be confident about easily earning the cloud engineer certification through this one.

Enroll in the Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Course and get started. Here’s what you will learn from this course:

  • How to set up the GCP account,
  • What planning and configuring are,
  • Understanding how to configure access and security,
  • How to deploy and implement a cloud solution,
  • How to operate GCP services,
  • Ensure successful operation of cloud solution.

Since it comes with hands-on labs and the best study material, you should be able to complete the course within a week.

Step 5: Take a Simulated Practice Exam for Associate Cloud Engineer

Before attempting the actual associate cloud engineer exam, get yourself accustomed to the examination pattern using the Google cloud certified cloud engineer simulated practice exam.

The exam domains are:

  1. Setting Up a Cloud Solution Environment
  2. Plan and Configure a Cloud Solution
  3. Deploying and Implementing a Cloud Solution
  4. Ensuring the Successful Operation of a Cloud Solution
  5. Configuring Access and Security

The actual exam costs 125 USD and can only be taken once. If you fail, there is 14 day waiting period and if you fail again, there is a 60 days period. If you fail the third time, then you have to wait 365 days before you can attempt it.

It’s rather obvious that it is better to take a practice exam that you can take over and over until you are ready for the official certification.

Step 6: Register for Your Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Exam

This is the moment of truth. Register for your Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Exam and pick a delivery method. It can either be an online proctored exam or you can schedule an exam at a nearby test center.

Here’s a quick overview of the Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Exam:

Length2 hours
LanguagesEnglish, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Exam Format50 – 60 Multiple Choice and Multiple Select Questions
Cost125 USD

If you have followed each step correctly and completed the courses and simulated practice exams. Then you should now be admiring your newly earned Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer certificate and moving on to the next step – looking for a cloud job.

What is the Average Cloud Computing Engineer Salary in 2023?

When you talk about a cloud computing engineer salary in 2023, you must consider “where are they working”.

How much do Top Cloud Companies Pay Their Cloud Engineers: At a Glance

The latest data shows the following average salaries for cloud computing engineers at AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google:

  1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) – $108,000/year (approximate)
  2. Microsoft Azure – $129,000/year (approximate)
  3. Google – $239,440/year (approximate)

These salaries may differ at the base level and increase over time. Remember that, salaries at these companies increase or decrease respectively to the demand for cloud engineers who specialize in the roles.

Google may have already piqued your interest. If you are already aware of the perks that come with this career path, take the Google Cloud Certified – Associate Cloud Engineer course to acquire your certification and land that cloud job.

Breaking Down Cloud Computing Engineer Salary

As the demand for cloud computing services continues to grow, so does the need for skilled cloud computing engineers.

These professionals play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and maintaining cloud infrastructure and services for organizations of all sizes.

In this section, we will take a deep dive into the world of cloud computing engineer salaries, including how to apply, what to expect, and how to stand out in the job market.

Cloud Computing Engineer Salary at Amazon AWS

The average salary for a cloud computing engineer working with AWS is around $120,000 per year, with the top earners making over $150,000 per year.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most widely used cloud computing platforms in the world. As a cloud computing engineer working with AWS, you will be responsible for designing and implementing scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems.

To apply for a cloud computing engineer position with AWS, you will need a strong background in computer science, as well as experience with cloud computing technologies and services such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

Additionally, you should have experience with programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++, and knowledge of infrastructure as code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation.

Cloud Computing Engineer Salary at Microsoft Azure

The average salary for a cloud computing engineer working with Azure is around $120,000 per year, with the top earners making over $150,000 per year.

Microsoft Azure is another popular cloud computing platform, and like AWS, cloud computing engineers working with Azure are responsible for designing and implementing scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems.

To apply for a cloud computing engineer position with Azure, you will need a strong background in computer science and experience with cloud computing technologies and services such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.

Additionally, you should have experience with programming languages such as C# or Python, and knowledge of infrastructure as code tools like ARM templates or Terraform.

Cloud Computing Engineer Salary at Google Cloud

The average salary for a cloud computing engineer working with Google Cloud is around $120,000 per year, with the top earners making over $150,000 per year.

Google Cloud is a rapidly growing cloud computing platform and cloud computing engineers working with Google Cloud are responsible for designing and implementing scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems.

To apply for a cloud computing engineer position with Google Cloud, you will need a strong background in computer science and experience with cloud computing technologies and services such as Google Cloud, AWS, or Azure.

Additionally, you should have experience with programming languages such as Java, Python, or Go, and knowledge of infrastructure as code tools like Terraform or Deployment Manager.

Cloud Computing Engineer Salary Comparison: AWS, Azure, and GCP

When it comes to cloud computing engineer salaries, the pay is relatively similar across all three major platforms: Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

However, there are some slight variations in the skills and experience required for each platform, as well as the specific technologies and tools used.

For example, AWS generally requires more experience with Java and Python, while Azure requires more experience with C# and ARM templates. Google Cloud, on the other hand, requires more experience with Go and Deployment Manager.

In general, the best way to stand out as a cloud computing engineer is to have a broad range of skills and experience across multiple platforms and technologies.

This will make you a valuable asset to any organization looking to implement or improve its cloud infrastructure.

Takeaway – Cloud Computing Engineer Salary

Recent data on 4,000 salaries have shown that the average cloud computing engineer salary is between $120,000 – $141,000 per year. However, at the entry level, you can expect the salary to start from $87,000 per year.

Furthermore, specific cloud qualifications i.e., Google Cloud Engineer, Microsoft Azure Cloud Engineer, and AWS Cloud Engineer, increase the compensation based on the market demand.

Even with the lowest shares in the IaaS market (in comparison to AWS and Azure), Google cloud engineers earn a far greater salary.

To sum up, cloud engineering is truly a great career choice regardless of where you work. Therefore, developing skills and acquiring certification in cloud engineering can certainly help you carve your way to a more rewarding future.

Finally, if you want to pursue landing your first job as a cloud engineer, you can sign up for a cloud engineer course at Skillcurb to pass the exam with flying colors. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cloud computing engineers well paid?

The simple answer is yes cloud computing engineers are well paid. The average cloud computing engineer salary in the US is 108,878 USD. However, depending on where you work, the salary can jump all the way up to 215,354 USD per year.

What does a cloud computing engineer do?

A cloud computing engineer works closely with a cloud solutions architect to identify the best solutions and integrate them into the public and private cloud. This adds attention to detail and helps the business in improving efficiency and security. In addition, you also have to troubleshoot issues as they arise.

Is cloud computing engineer a good career?

Yes, becoming a cloud computing engineer is a good career choice. Depending on your experience and skills you can earn anywhere between 101,540 USD and 215,354 USD per year.

What is a cloud computing engineer’s salary?

A cloud computing engineer salary starts from 87,000 USD and can go all the way up to 215,354 USD. The amount varies based on the experience, location, and industry.