Top 5 Cloud Computing Careers For 2024 (Salaries Included)

In Today’s Cloudbites:

🏆 Top 5 Cloud Computing Careers For 2024

☁️ How To Kickstart a Cloud Computing Career 

🛠️ 5 AI Tools to Improve Your Productivity

🤫 PLUS: AI’s Impact on the Future of Work

Read time: 6 minutes

Hi friends, welcome back to Cloudbites

Today, I’ll be sharing 5 cloud computing roles I recommend looking into. I’ll also be highlighting several key points from Microsoft’s recent ‘Future of Work’ report on AI and productivity.

CLOUD COMPUTING ☁️

🏆 Top 5 Cloud Computing Careers For 2024

1. Solutions Architect

Solutions Architects help customers design Cloud solutions specific to their needs. They also give technical guidance to customers on how the solutions would be applied through presentations and demos.

As a Solutions Architect, you need to have fundamental IT skills, such as networking and databases. 

Effective communication and problem-solving are also key to explaining technical concepts to clients in a way that’s understandable. 

Not all Solutions Architect roles demand many years of experience. Some companies even provide you with relevant training before starting your career.

For example, AWS has an AWS Tech U program to help you succeed as a Solutions Architect. If you’d like to know more, check out my Day In The Life Of An AWS Solutions Architect (Tech U) YouTube video.

The average salary for this role is $146,000 in the US.* 

2. Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects focus on implementing Cloud solutions designed by Solutions Architects. They help customers by improving their Cloud infrastructure and discussing long-term Cloud strategies. 

To be a Cloud Architect, the skills necessary are quite similar to being a Solutions Architect.

However, Cloud Architects typically need to have stronger programming skills and deeper understanding of the technical IT fundamentals. 

The average salary for this role is $150,000 in the US.*

3. Sales Development Representative (SDR)

If you’re looking for a role that doesn’t require you to be technical, the SDR role might be right for you.

SDRs are sales professionals responsible for generating new business opportunities for their company.

The tasks of an SDR consist of reaching out to potential customers, scheduling sales meetings, and qualifying business leads.

Although it’s not considered a technical role, having an understanding of Cloud services will make you stand out. This is because SDRs need to effectively explain how their services could generate business value to their potential customers.

That being said, having strong communication and interpersonal skills are important to persuade them into using your products. 

The average salary for this role is $82,000 in the US.*

(Note: High-performing SDRs may get higher bonuses, depending on how much revenue they generate)

4. AI Cloud Developer

An AI Cloud Developer specializes in developing AI applications and solutions on Cloud platforms.

The key responsibility as an AI Cloud Developer includes designing and implementing machine learning (ML) models to solve problems or enhance existing processes. 

What’s required for this role is mainly an expertise in AI and ML, along with proficiency in Cloud technologies.

Staying updated with advancements in AI and cloud technologies are also crucial to address complex problems faced in many industries.

The average salary for this role is $153,000 in the US.*

5. Cloud Support Engineer

This role focuses on providing guidance to customers when they face technical issues in their Cloud adoption journey.

A Cloud Support Engineer essentially troubleshoots issues and answers questions about Cloud products and services from customers.

Companies hiring for this role are looking for people with deep technical knowledge in operating systems, networking, and troubleshooting.

Being responsible and accountable are also crucial to establish trust when interacting with customers. 

Check out my YouTube video to learn more about What does an AWS Cloud Engineer actually do?.

The average salary for this role is $104,000 in the US.*

*Note: These figures will vary according to company size, geographical location, and seniority.

☁️ How To Kickstart a Cloud Computing Career

1. Gain a solid fundamental knowledge of the Cloud

Establishing a strong knowledge of Cloud fundamentals is important to help you understand the concepts behind Cloud applications. One way to do this is by completing an IT or computer science degree.

However, even if you don’t have any prior experience or relevant degree to the Cloud, you can still attend bootcamps or even self-study your way through! 

What matters is that you can prove your basic understanding of the Cloud to employers. 

2. Get certifications

Cloud certifications will give you a deeper understanding of specific Cloud services and technologies (e.g. AWS).

Obtaining a certification can show employers that you understand the specific demands and applications of certain Cloud services. 

3. Build hands-on experience

Certifications, unfortunately, will only get you so far.

For a more appealing resume, it’s crucial to demonstrate your practical experiences.

You can start by experimenting with different Cloud projects to develop your skills.

Eventually, you get to build a portfolio that can prove your expertise in Cloud technologies. 

If you need ideas to start building projects, check out my YouTube video on The Best AWS Workshops for Building Hands-on Cloud Projects.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) 🤖

🛠️ 5 AI Tools to Improve Your Productivity

1. Interview Jarvis: Access AI-Simulated personalized interviews with 200+ questions

2. Wized AI: Automatically tailors your resume based on job descriptions

3. Jasper: Creates content with a consistent brand voice

4. Copy.ai: Generates marketing copies and contents for businesses

5. Midjourney: Turns written ideas into photographic visuals

🤫 PLUS: AI’s Impact on the Future of Work

In its latest “Future of Work” report, Microsoft discussed the revolutionary effect of AI in the workplace and the need to mitigate negative consequences such as skill displacement.

Here are some key takeaways that you should know:

• Individuals were found to be accepting AI outputs even when they are incorrect 

• Microsoft expects that the integration of AI into existing practices will trigger collective acceptance in the future

• There has been substantial enhancements in human productivity through the application of AI tools such as Copilot that has positively impacted work quality

• AI implementation tends to yield greater advantages for workers with lower skill levels, although performance disparities might still increase in certain situations

THAT’S A WRAP

Thanks for reading! 😊

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