The top cloud computing jobs today are cloud infrastructure architect, cloud engineer, cloud security engineer, DevOps or platform engineer, cloud data engineer, cloud database engineer and cloud support engineer. Each builds on a different starting skill set, so the best fit depends on whether your background is in networking, software, data, security or IT support.
Below, each role is broken down by what the work involves, the skills employers ask for, and the certifications that help. You will also find official pay data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the closest matching occupations and a practical path into the field.
Why cloud skills remain in demand
Most organizations now run at least part of their infrastructure on public cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. Gartner forecast worldwide public cloud end-user spending of about $723 billion for 2025, with demand for AI workloads adding to growth. That spending creates ongoing work in migration, cost control, security and operations.
BLS projects employment in computer and information technology occupations as a group to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2025 to 2035, with about 280,000 openings a year on average. The group’s median annual wage was $109,470 in May 2025, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Cloud jobs at a glance
BLS does not track “cloud” job titles separately, so the table maps each role to the closest official occupation. Actual pay varies by employer, location, experience and specialization.
| Cloud role | Closest BLS occupation | BLS median pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud infrastructure architect | Computer network architects | $134,050 |
| Cloud engineer | Network and computer systems administrators / network architects | $99,130 to $134,050 |
| Cloud security engineer | Information security analysts | $129,180 |
| DevOps / platform engineer | Software developers, QA analysts and testers | $134,040 |
| Cloud database engineer | Database administrators and architects | $126,760 |
| Cloud data engineer | Database architects / software developers | $126,760 to $134,040 |
| Cloud support engineer | Computer support specialists | $62,890 |
The 7 top cloud computing jobs
1. Cloud infrastructure architect
A Cloud Infrastructure Architect designs how an organization’s systems run in the cloud: networks, compute, storage, identity, backup and disaster recovery. Typical work includes defining cloud strategy, assessing which applications can migrate and in what order, building proof-of-concept environments, and setting standards that engineering teams follow. Architects also weigh cost, performance and compliance trade-offs and often negotiate service levels with providers.
Skills: networking, virtualization, software-defined networking, security design, and deep knowledge of at least one major platform. Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate, then Professional), Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or Google Professional Cloud Architect. This is usually a senior role reached after several years in engineering or systems administration.
2. Cloud engineer
Cloud engineers build and run what architects design. They provision infrastructure, configure networks and servers, automate deployments, monitor performance and fix issues in production. Increasingly the work is done as code, using tools like Terraform or the providers’ own templates so environments can be rebuilt consistently. Senior and principal cloud engineers take on larger design decisions, mentor others and work directly with stakeholders on scope and planning.
Skills: Linux, networking fundamentals, scripting (Python, Bash or PowerShell), infrastructure as code, monitoring. Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate, Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), Google Associate Cloud Engineer, HashiCorp Terraform Associate.
3. Cloud security engineer
Cloud security engineers protect cloud environments from misconfiguration and attack. They manage identity and access policies, encryption, logging and threat detection, review architectures for risk, and help meet compliance requirements. Because misconfigured storage and overly broad permissions are common causes of cloud incidents, this role sits close to engineering teams rather than apart from them.
Skills: identity and access management, network security, logging and incident response, compliance frameworks. Certifications: ISC2 CCSP, AWS Certified Security Specialty, Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate, Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer.
4. DevOps or platform engineer
DevOps and platform engineers build the pipelines and internal tools that let developers ship software quickly and safely. They maintain CI/CD systems, container platforms such as Kubernetes, observability stacks and self-service templates. Site reliability engineers (SREs) are a close cousin, focused on uptime, incident response and service-level objectives. This path suits people coming from software development who enjoy automation.
Skills: Git, CI/CD tools, containers and Kubernetes, infrastructure as code, a programming language such as Python or Go. Certifications: Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional, Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert.
5. Cloud data engineer
Cloud data engineers build the pipelines that move, clean and store data so analysts and machine learning teams can use it. They work with data warehouses and lakes, streaming tools and orchestration frameworks. Associate-level data engineers usually start by maintaining existing pipelines and writing SQL transformations before designing new systems. Note that predictive modeling and statistics are more typical of data scientists; data engineers focus on reliable data infrastructure.
Skills: SQL, Python, data modeling, batch and streaming pipelines, cloud warehouses. Certifications: Google Professional Data Engineer, AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate.
6. Cloud database engineer
Cloud database engineers design, migrate and tune databases running on managed cloud services. Their work includes schema design, indexing and query optimization, backup and recovery, replication, scaling and cost management. Many come from traditional database administration and add cloud platform skills on top.
Skills: SQL, relational and NoSQL databases, performance tuning, high availability design. Certifications: database-focused certifications from the major cloud providers, alongside general cloud associate certifications.
7. Cloud support engineer
Cloud support engineers help customers and internal teams troubleshoot cloud services, from networking problems to permissions errors and performance issues. It is one of the most accessible entry points into cloud work, and the troubleshooting experience builds a strong foundation for engineering roles later.
Skills: networking and operating system fundamentals, clear written communication, structured troubleshooting. Certifications: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), CompTIA Cloud+.
How to get into cloud computing
- Learn the fundamentals first: networking (IP addressing, DNS, routing), Linux and basic scripting. These matter more than any single platform.
- Pick one platform (AWS, Azure or Google Cloud) and use its free tier to build real projects: a static website, a containerized app, a small data pipeline.
- Earn a foundational or associate certification to structure your learning and show employers a baseline. Our article on how certifications assess real-world decision making explains why employers still value hands-on proof alongside exams.
- Publish your work: keep infrastructure code and documentation in a public repository so hiring managers can see how you think.
- Use your current role: help-desk, sysadmin, developer and data analyst roles all have natural bridges into cloud work.
Freelance and contract cloud work
Not every cloud job is full time. Many small and midsize companies hire contractors for migrations, audits or ongoing operations, often alongside a managed IT services provider. Freelance marketplaces connect engineers with these projects. Field Engineer, for example, is a New York-based marketplace that matches businesses with on-demand engineers and lists cloud roles among its skill categories; it reports more than 40,000 registered engineers across over 180 countries. To compete on any marketplace, build a specific profile around one platform and type of project, list certifications and past results, and start with smaller, well-defined jobs to earn reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best entry-level cloud computing job?
Cloud support engineer is one of the most accessible starting points. It builds troubleshooting skills across networking, permissions and services, which leads naturally to cloud engineer, DevOps or security roles.
Do I need a degree to work in cloud computing?
BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical for most related occupations, but many employers also hire based on certifications, projects and experience. A degree helps most for senior architect roles and large employers.
How much do cloud architects earn?
BLS does not track cloud architects separately. The closest occupation, computer network architects, had a median annual wage of $134,050 in May 2025. Pay varies widely by location, employer and experience.
Which cloud certification should I get first?
If you are new, start with a foundational exam such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. With some experience, go straight to an associate exam like AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Google Associate Cloud Engineer.
Which cloud platform should I learn?
AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud are the three largest platforms. Check job listings in your area, pick the one that appears most, and learn it well. Core concepts transfer between platforms.
Salary figures are BLS medians and are general information, not career or financial advice.
