Cloud Engineer Salary: Based on Experience, Location, Job Roles, and Skills

Who is a Cloud Engineer?

A cloud engineer is a data professional responsible for managing, planning, architecting, and monitoring cloud systems. They work with cloud computing platforms to build, maintain, and optimize cloud infrastructure that supports business operations and data-driven applications. Cloud engineers play a critical role in enabling companies to leverage cloud technologies for scalability, efficiency, and innovation.

What is the Role of a Cloud Engineer?

Cloud engineers design, develop, and maintain cloud infrastructure and services. Their responsibilities typically include:

• Architecting cloud solutions aligned with business needs.
• Managing cloud resources such as servers, databases, and networks.
• Ensuring cloud security and compliance with industry standards.
• Automating cloud operations using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools.
• Collaborating with development and operations teams to deploy cloud-native applications.
• Monitoring cloud performance and troubleshooting issues.

What are the Skills and Background Required for a Cloud Engineer Role?

Key skills and qualifications for cloud engineers include:

• Proficiency in cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Strong programming and scripting abilities (Python, Java, Ruby, Bash).
• Knowledge of cloud security principles and best practices.
• Experience with DevOps tools and automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, Jenkins).
• Understanding of networking, storage, and database services in cloud environments.
• Problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Communication skills to work effectively across teams.
• Educational background in computer science, information technology, or related fields is often preferred.
  
  Read More: Best Google Cloud Security Tools For 2025

What is the Average Salary of a Cloud Engineer?

In 2025, the average base salary for cloud engineers in the United States is approximately $129,464 per year, based on data from thousands of reported salaries. Another estimate places the average salary for Cloud Software Engineers in the U.S. at around $115,446 annually. Salaries vary depending on experience, specialization, and location. 

Key Factors Influencing Cloud Engineer Salary

Cloud Engineer Salary Based on Experience

Entry-level positions, typically requiring 0 to 1 year of experience, offer an average salary of around $101,337. As professionals gain experience and move into early career stages, between 1 to 4 years, the average salary increases to approximately $115,000. With 5 to 9 years of experience, mid-career salaries rise further to about $125,000. For senior-level roles, especially those with over 10 years of experience and specialized expertise, salaries can exceed $135,000.

Cloud Engineer Salary Based on Role

A Cloud Architect is responsible for designing and implementing cloud frameworks, earning an average salary of about $135,454. Cloud Security Engineers, who focus on securing cloud environments and ensuring data protection, have an average salary of approximately $136,485. Meanwhile, Cloud Software Engineers develop cloud-based applications, with their salaries varying widely depending on their skills and level of experience. These roles reflect the diverse opportunities and specialized expertise required within the cloud computing field.

Skills required to get high salary as Cloud Engineer

Specialized skills can boost salaries:

• Expertise in cloud security, multi-cloud management, and automation tools (Terraform, Kubernetes).
• Knowledge of AI and machine learning infrastructure on cloud platforms.
• Proficiency in serverless computing (e.g., AWS Lambda).
• Strong programming/scripting skills.

Cloud Engineer Certifications to Enroll that Pays well

Certifications validate expertise and often lead to higher pay. Popular certifications include:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect

Certified professionals typically see salary increases and better job prospects.

Cloud Engineer Salaries Based on USA Location

A comparative overview of cloud engineer salaries across major U.S. cities. It highlights that San Francisco, CA, offers the highest average annual salary at $158,327, closely followed by Seattle, WA, at $157,493. New York, NY, and Boston, MA, also provide competitive salaries, averaging $144,620 and $145,869 respectively. Austin, TX, while slightly lower, still offers a strong average salary of $140,500.

Cloud Engineer Salaries Based on India Location

A comparison of average cloud engineer salaries across major Indian cities. Bengaluru, Karnataka, leads with the highest average annual salary at ₹11,28,928, reflecting its status as India’s premier tech hub. Hyderabad, Telangana, follows with an average salary of ₹9,37,529, while Mumbai, Maharashtra, offers ₹8,41,813. Pune, another tech-centric city in Maharashtra, has an average salary of ₹6,94,366. Gurugram, Haryana, stands at ₹5,85,228, marking the lowest among the cities listed. This data highlights significant regional variations in compensation, with southern and western metropolitan areas generally offering higher salaries to cloud engineers compared to northern regions, underscoring the influence of local tech industry presence and demand on pay scales.

Top Companies Hiring Cloud Engineers in USA

Leading companies actively hiring cloud engineers include:

• Amazon
• Microsoft
• Google
• IBM
• Salesforce
• Oracle
• Cisco

These firms offer competitive salaries and benefits, often with opportunities for career advancement.

Top Companies Hiring Cloud Engineers in India

Major recruiters in India include:

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
• Infosys
• Wipro
• Accenture
• Amazon India
• IBM India

These companies are expanding their cloud teams to meet growing demand.

Cloud Engineer Salary in Top Industries

Cloud Engineer Salaries by Industry in USA

Cloud engineers in finance, healthcare, and technology sectors tend to earn higher salaries due to the critical nature of cloud infrastructure in these industries. In terms of industry-specific salaries for cloud engineers, the Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology sector offers the highest average at approximately $145,083. This is closely followed by Financial Services, where the average salary is around $144,123. 

Professionals working in the Energy, Mining & Utilities sector can expect to earn about $140,530 on average, while those in Retail & Wholesale receive around $139,469. The Insurance industry also provides competitive compensation, with average salaries reaching about $137,535. These figures highlight the lucrative opportunities available for cloud engineers across a range of industries, with the highest pay typically found in sectors that rely heavily on data security and advanced technology.

Cloud Engineer Salaries by Industry in India

In India, the IT services and consulting sectors offer the highest salaries for cloud engineers, with average pay ranging from ₹14 lakhs to ₹22 lakhs, depending on experience and expertise.

Why are Cloud Engineers Paid So Much?

Cloud engineers are highly valued because they enable organizations to build scalable, flexible, and secure cloud infrastructures that reduce costs and accelerate innovation. Their expertise supports critical business functions and emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning. The shortage of skilled cloud professionals also drives salaries upward.

Future of Being a Cloud Engineer

The demand for cloud engineers is expected to grow rapidly, with job openings projected to increase by over 27% from 2023 to 2033. Advancements in AI, serverless computing, and multi-cloud strategies will further enhance the role’s importance and compensation.

How to Obtain a Competitive Cloud Engineer Salary?

• Gain hands-on experience with major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Obtain industry-recognized certifications.
• Develop expertise in high-demand areas like cloud security, automation, and AI infrastructure.
• Build strong programming skills.
• Stay updated with evolving cloud technologies.
• Consider location and industry when negotiating salary.
  
  

Cloud engineering offers a promising and lucrative career path in 2025 and beyond. By continuously developing skills and certifications, professionals can maximize their earning potential and contribute to the future of cloud technology. NetCom Learning is a leading provider of authorized cloud training, offering google cloud courses. Leveraging NetCom Learning’s training alongside certifications from AWS, Microsoft, and Google helps cloud professionals stay current with evolving technologies and unlock rewarding career opportunities.