How to Make a Career in AWS: Salaries, Job Opportunities, Learning Path, Certifications, Why AWS, and more

  • Cloud & IT
  • Certifications
  • Career
  • Published by: André Hammer on Feb 27, 2023
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Whether you're an experienced IT professional wanting to shift your career path or you're new to cloud computing, there are many reasons you should consider a career in Amazon Cloud Services. But one of the major reasons is its constant growth and advancement. AWS is known for its continuous innovation and commitment to improving its services and infrastructure. In the coming years, AWS is likely to focus on developing new services and tools that help businesses accelerate their digital transformation and take advantage of emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Additionally, AWS is expected to continue expanding its global presence by opening new data centers in various regions around the world to improve the performance and reliability of its services for customers.

Overall, AWS is likely to remain a major player in the cloud computing industry and continue to drive innovation and growth in the years ahead. So if you are considering AWS, you are on the right track!

Why Consider AWS?

When it comes to computing in the public cloud, AWS is the industry leader. AWS is the most dominant player in the public cloud industry in terms of infrastructure as a service (IaaS), which is a subset of the overall market. According to Statista, Amazon Web Services (AWS) controls over 33 percent of the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) market. This is nearly as much as the next two top providers, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform, control jointly. In addition, Amazon Web Services’ market share is rapidly expanding in sectors other than its IaaS offering. This is due to the fact that the size of the IaaS market is significantly lower than that of the SaaS industry.

AWS is the public cloud service that is expanding at the quickest rate. Because it was the first business to launch a public cloud service in 2006, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has a head start of seven years over its rivals in this industry. Amazon Web Services (AWS) capitalized on this early advantage and has maintained its position as the public cloud provider with the highest annual growth rate ever since. Its rapid expansion is expected to continue, reaching a rate of 39% in the third quarter of 2021.

There is greater demand for positions at AWS than qualified candidates to fill them.

There are six to twelve times as many job ads as there are job seekers in the public cloud employment market, and sixty percent of these job listings are about AWS. In other words, the job market is dominated by job seekers. Employers in the United States, for instance, have reported that it is difficult to locate workers who are skilled in all aspects of cloud computing. This situation will last for a considerable amount of time.

Tech professionals have an obligation to be familiar with cloud computing.

Both machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are finding more and more applications in cloud computing. It is anticipated that this would last far beyond the year 2022. Additionally, about half of all IT professionals are certain that AI and machine learning will have a significant influence on the number of individuals who utilize cloud computing in the near future. The most widely used public cloud computing service is Amazon Web Services (AWS), and users range from large corporations to sole proprietors. Because of this, it is imperative for IT professionals who wish to have a successful career in the future to have a working knowledge of AWS.

AWS Career Paths

AWS (Amazon Web Services) offers a variety of career paths, including:

1) Cloud Architects: They are responsible for designing and implementing cloud solutions based on business requirements. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Cloud Architect is around $128,000 per year.

2) Developers: They are responsible for building and maintaining applications that run on AWS, using languages such as Java, Python, and JavaScript. According to Payscale, the average salary for an AWS Developer is around $98,000 per year.

3) Cloud Engineers: They are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining cloud infrastructure. According to Indeed, the average salary for a Cloud Engineer is around $119,000 per year.

4) Administrators: They are responsible for managing and maintaining the AWS environment, including user accounts, security, and access controls. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an AWS Administrator is around $107,000 per year.

5) Security Specialists: They are responsible for ensuring the security and compliance of AWS environments, including implementing security controls and conducting audits. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an AWS Security Specialist is around $126,000 per year.

6) Data Scientists: They are responsible for analyzing and interpreting data to provide insights and recommendations to business stakeholders using AWS services such as Amazon S3, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon SageMaker. According to Payscale, the average salary for an AWS Data Scientist is around $120,000 per year.

7) DevOps Engineers: They are responsible for creating and maintaining automated workflows for building, testing, and deploying applications and infrastructure on AWS. According to Indeed, the average salary for an AWS DevOps Engineer is around $130,000 per year.

8) Solutions Architects: They are responsible for designing and implementing complex solutions for AWS customers, ensuring that they meet business requirements and comply with best practices. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an AWS Solutions Architect is around $137,000 per year.

These are just a few examples of the many career paths available in AWS. As the AWS ecosystem continues to expand, new roles are likely to emerge, providing even more opportunities for career growth and development.

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Why work with AWS, and how to acquire a job there

There are six to twelve times as many job ads as there are job seekers in the public cloud employment market, and sixty percent of these job listings are about AWS. In other words, the job market is dominated by job seekers. Employers in the United States, for instance, have reported that it is difficult to locate workers who are skilled in all aspects of cloud computing. This situation will last for a considerable amount of time.

Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of landing an AWS job and kickstarting your career in cloud computing:

  1. Gain relevant experience: To work in AWS, you need to have a strong foundation in cloud computing and experience in related fields such as software development, networking, or IT administration. Consider taking online courses or earning certifications in AWS to build up your skills and knowledge.
  2. Build a portfolio: Create a portfolio of projects that demonstrate your expertise in AWS. This could include building and deploying applications on AWS, designing and implementing cloud infrastructure, or conducting security audits.
  3. Network with professionals: Attend industry events and conferences, join online communities and forums, and connect with AWS professionals on LinkedIn to expand your professional network. This can help you learn about job opportunities, get referrals, and gain valuable insights from others in the industry.
  4. Apply for jobs: Look for job openings on job boards, company websites, and networking platforms. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job requirements and highlight your experience with AWS.
  5. Prepare for interviews: Once you get an interview, prepare thoroughly by researching the company and the specific role you applied for. Be ready to discuss your experience with AWS and provide specific examples of how you've used AWS services to solve problems or achieve business objectives.

Cheat Code: How to get AWS certified

You should acquire AWS certifications when you have learned everything that is necessary to know about the subject. If you have an AWS certification, it demonstrates that you are educated and trustworthy, which may help you be hired at the firm of your choice and do the job you want to do. Employers are aware that if you have an Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification, it indicates that you have successfully completed Amazon Web Services (AWS) training and will be able to use what you have learned on the job.

You will also gain access to the AWS Partner Network after you earn your AWS certification. This network provides business professionals and their firms with access to a variety of high-quality Amazon tools and training materials in the areas of business, sales, and marketing.

You might also choose a specialized field to concentrate on and demonstrate that you have superior capabilities in a variety of technical areas by focusing on that field. Advanced networking, large amounts of data, and data security are just a few of these specialized areas of knowledge. Continue reading to learn more about the AWS certifications you may get to advance your career with the company.

Available AWS Certifications

According to Amazon Web Services, there are four different levels of positions and certifications available: foundational, associate, professional, and specialty. These four categories encompass a total of nine separate certificates, making the total number of available credentials nine.

  1. AWS Certification at the Foundational Level (1 certification)

    You may earn a credential called AWS Cloud Practitioner – Foundational if you want to. Introduces cloud computing and provides a foundational knowledge of the technology, including how Amazon Web Services (AWS) operates.

  2. AWS Associate Level Certifications (3 certifications)

    There are two certifications that may be obtained through AWS: AWS Solutions Architect – Associate and AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate.

    Developer Associate Certified by Amazon Web Services

    The objective is to get a deeper understanding of the design, development, and operations of AWS.

  3. Professional-Level AWS Certifications (2 certifications)

    AWS DevOps Engineer - Professional and AWS Solutions Architect - Professional are two certifications that may be obtained through AWS.

    The objective is to gain a deeper understanding of AWS's engineering and architecture.

  4. Accreditations for Specialties Offered by AWS (3 certifications)

    Certifications include a Specialization in Advanced Networking, a Specialization in Security, and a Certification in Big Data (specialization).

    A complete familiarity with the many facets of AWS's work is the focus of this section.

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To Summerise

Here are some of the key reasons to choose AWS (Amazon Web Services) as a career option:

  • Rapidly growing industry: Cloud computing is one of the fastest-growing industries in the tech sector, and AWS is the market leader in this space. This translates into a high demand for skilled professionals in AWS.
  • Diverse job roles: AWS offers a wide range of job roles, including cloud architects, developers, engineers, administrators, and security specialists, among others. This means that you can find a role that matches your skills and interests.
  • Global opportunities: AWS has a global presence, with data centers located in various regions around the world. This means that there are opportunities to work in different countries and regions.
  • High-paying salaries: AWS jobs are known for their high-paying salaries. According to Payscale, the average salary for an AWS Solutions Architect is $121,000 per year.
  • Continuous learning: AWS is constantly releasing new services and updates, which means that there is always something new to learn. This provides an opportunity for continuous learning and skill development.
  • Overall, choosing a career in AWS can provide you with a challenging and rewarding career in a rapidly growing industry.

If you are convinced, and ready to take the leap, let Readynez be your guide. At Readynez, we want to close the information gap by providing top-notch training and guidance to help you achieve all your career goals. One of the best ways to get initiated into the AWS world is to get certified, and that is where we come in. We have a whole collection of AWS courses to help you not only ace your exams but also absorb all the knowledge that will help you pass AWS certification exams with confidence. Our experts can’t wait to hear from you! Get in touch!

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