Discover the average AWS cloud practitioner salary and how it varies based on where you work, your experience, level of education, and the certifications you hold.
Cloud computing allows organizations to have part or all of their computing power kept in a remote location and accessed via the Internet instead of massive server rooms and bulky hardware. This computing process has become more popular as it saves space, offers off-site data backup, and is scalable to an organization’s needs.
One provider of cloud services is Amazon Web Services (AWS). Organizations that use AWS-based cloud computing systems, will need AWS cloud practitioners to launch, maintain, and update the system. They are responsible for monitoring system performance and configuring it to improve efficiency. If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, read on to learn more about the average AWS cloud practitioner's salary.
Read more: What's the Difference Between AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud?
An Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud practitioner is a professional in the information technology (IT) space who specializes in cloud computing. What separates an AWS cloud practitioner from other cloud-computing specialists is they have specialized knowledge in AWS to support cloud operations for various organizations.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services that validates the recipient has a foundational yet high-level competence in using the AWS cloud as well as its services and terminology. This certification is generally the starting point for all other AWS certifications, which include professional, associate, and specialty role-based certifications.
The average salary for an entry-level AWS cloud practitioner is $85,866, according to ZipRecruiter [1]. Keep in mind that a certified AWS cloud practitioner can work in various positions within the AWS cloud ecosystem. Let’s review some of these potential jobs and their base US salaries*:
AWS cloud engineer: $107,043 [2]
AWS DevOps engineer: $112,688 [3]
AWS cloud architect: $132,235 [4]
AWS SysOps administrator: $69,397 [5]
AWS developer: $95,220 [6]
Keep in mind that salaries vary based on factors, such as experience, location, organization, and other certifications.
*All salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of June 2023
Let’s review the average entry-level AWS cloud practitioner salary in cities across the country, according to ZipRecruiter [1].
Green River, WY: $112,165
Santa Clara, CA: $103,193
San Francisco, CA: $100,092
Washington, DC: $99,801
Los Angeles, CA: $98,477
Kensington, NY: $98,029
Bridgeport, CT: $96,076
It is possible to become an AWS cloud practitioner with an associate degree, however, most employers will typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
The average salary for AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification holders varies by education. Below are US salaries for various roles held by AWS cloud practitioners by education level, according to Zippia.
Network engineer | DevOps engineer | Network architect | SysOps administrator | Developer | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Associate degree | $82,204 | $90,779 | $103,469 | $37,535 | $86,914 |
Bachelor’s degree | $89,932 | $102,255 | $114,409 | $41,237 | $98,319 |
Master’s degree | $92,877 | $110,066 | $118,608 | $42,652 | $106,109 |
Doctorate degree | $95,341 | $117,886 | $122,134 | $43,838 | $113,927 |
AWS provides certification at four levels for IT professionals who want to work in the cloud: foundational, associate, professional, and specialty.
Entry-level AWS cloud practitioner salary (US): $85,866 [1]
At the foundational level is the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, which is an overview and introduction to AWS. It focuses on the overall AWS system and structure, instead of going too far in-depth on any one subject. Amazon recommends the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification for people who are new to the cloud and may lack an IT background.
Average salary for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate holders: $122,000 [7]
You can advance your career by earning associate AWS certifications. For example, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is for people with experience in AWS technology, strong on-premises IT experience, or experience with other cloud technology.
Average salary for AWS Certified Developer – Associate: $111,000 [8]
Other AWS associate certifications to consider are the AWS Certified Developer – Associate and AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate. On top of the recommended experience for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam, AWS recommends the AWS Certified Developer – Associate for those with developer experience or proficiency in a programming language.
Average salary for AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate holders: $117,000 [9]
If you have experience as a systems administrator, AWS recommends pursuing an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification.
After gaining a few years of experience as an AWS cloud practitioner, you can pursue one of AWS’s professional certifications. Two core professional certifications to consider include:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
AWS recommends both exams for professionals with at least two years of experience operating and managing AWS environments and architecture. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional pushes the average salary to $142,000, and the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional average salary is $130,000 annually [10, 11].
*All certification salary information is from PayScale and is current as of August 2023.
The average AWS cloud practitioner salaries also vary by experience. The average base salaries based on years of experience, according to Glassdoor, is as follows:
AWS cloud engineer 2 | AWS DevOps engineer 3 | AWS cloud architect 4 | AWS SysOps administrator 5 | AWS developer 6 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0–1 years | $94,114 | $102,738 | $124,552 | $61,530 | $91,923 |
1–3 years | $99,293 | $104,679 | $127,831 | $63,382 | $91,288 |
4–6 years | $108,355 | $116,519 | $132,010 | $68,083 | $97,260 |
7–9 years | $112,507 | $119,782 | $133,898 | $72,333 | $100,609 |
10–14 years | $121,794 | $126,904 | $137,302 | $75,951 | $106,654 |
15 or more years | $129,547 | $135,828 | $142,115 | $81,643 | $115,784 |
*Salary information current as of October 2023
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment for computer and IT professionals to grow significantly between 2022 to 2032, expecting approximately 377,500 new openings annually through 2032 [12]. These openings will mostly come from workers transferring to new jobs or leaving the workforce and from growth in the IT field.
An AWS cloud practitioner can work in any industry using the AWS cloud. Some of the top-paying industries for AWS cloud practitioners include:
Information technology
Management and consulting
Financial services
Health care
Insurance
Personal consumer services
Legal
Some industries pay higher by role than others. Below, we outline the highest-paying industries by role.
AWS cloud engineer [2]:
Insurance: $111,405
Health care: $111,307
Financial services: $106,997
AWS DevOps engineer [3]:
Information technology: $120,856
Insurance: $119,514
Financial services: $116,310
AWS cloud architect [4]
Health care: $143,192
Insurance: $140,039
Information technology: $132,721
AWS SysOps administrator [5]
Information technology: $71,776
Personal consumer services: $67,990
Financial services: $67,815
AWS developer [6]
Insurance: $99,617
Financial services: $99,385
Health care: $98,508
To develop your career as an AWS cloud practitioner, you’ll need a collection of specific skills. These skills include:
Understanding AWS cloud and its value proposition
Identifying the aspects of AWS cloud economics
Knowing AWS cloud security and compliance concepts
Understanding AWS access management capabilities
Deploying and operating in the AWS cloud
Knowing the core AWS services
Being familiar with AWS cloud billing and pricing models
Becoming an AWS cloud practitioner can be an exciting and rewarding career working with cutting-edge technology. To learn more about a career as an AWS cloud practitioner, consider taking AWS Fundamentals Specialization on Coursera to familiarize yourself with AWS and begin preparing for certification. The program covers topics like cloud technical essentials, addressing security risks, and more.
ZipRecruiter. "Entry Level Aws Cloud Practitioner Salary, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Entry-Level-AWS-Cloud-Practitioner-Salary." Accessed October 13, 2023.
Glassdoor. "AWS Cloud Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/aws-cloud-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm." Accessed October 13, 2023.
Glassdoor. "AWS DevOps Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/aws-devops-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm." Accessed October 13, 2023.
Glassdoor. "AWS Cloud Architect Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/aws-cloud-architect-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm." Accessed October 13, 2023.
Glassdoor. "AWS SysOps Administrator Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/aws-sysops-administrator-salary-SRCH_KO0,24.htm." Accessed October 13, 2023.
Glassdoor. "AWS Developer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/aws-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm." Accessed October 13, 2023.
Payscale. “Salary for Certification: AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certified Solutions Architect - Associate, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=AWS_(Amazon_Web_Services)_Certified_Solutions_Architect_-_Associate/Salary.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
Payscale. “Salary for Certification: AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certified Developer - Associate, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=AWS_(Amazon_Web_Services)_Certified_Developer_-_Associate/Salary.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
Payscale. “Salary for Certification: AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=AWS_(Amazon_Web_Services)_Certified_SysOps_Administrator_-_Associate/Salary.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
Payscale. “Salary for Certification: AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=AWS_(Amazon_Web_Services)_Certified_Solutions_Architect_-_Professional/Salary.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
Payscale. “Salary for Certification: AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=AWS_(Amazon_Web_Services)_Certified_DevOps_Engineer_-_Professional/Salary.” Accessed October 13, 2023.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Network and Computer Systems Administrators Job Outlook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm.”Accessed October 13, 2023.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Computer Network Architects Work Environment, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm#tab-3.” Accessed June 22, 2023.
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