As a fresh graduate or young professional in India, you are probably wondering about the best career options available to you. The tech industry is booming right now, and one field that has been gaining popularity is cloud engineering. If you're interested in pursuing a career in this field, you may be curious about cloud engineer salaries in India.
Cloud computing has become increasingly vital for businesses of all sizes, with more and more companies moving their data and applications to the cloud. This has led to a growing demand for skilled professionals who can manage and maintain these systems.
So, what can you expect from a cloud engineer's salary in India? Let's take a closer look at this guide on salaries, prerequisites to being a cloud engineer, and career growth potential.
Who is a Cloud Engineer?
Cloud engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining cloud-based solutions for businesses, making them an indispensable part of any organisation's IT team. As a cloud engineer, you will also work on implementing cloud infrastructure solutions to optimise the performance of different applications hosted on the cloud.
To become a cloud engineer, you must have a strong understanding of various programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, and Ruby, to name a few.
Apart from this, knowledge of database management systems like MySQL and virtualization technologies such as VMware or VirtualBox is also crucial. A typical day for a cloud engineer would include working on different projects that require expertise in these areas.
Salaries and Career Growth
The salary range for cloud engineers in India varies significantly based on experience level, location, specialisation, company size, etc.
- At entry-level positions, which typically demand 0–2 years of experience in the field, you can expect to earn between ₹3-6 lakh per annum.
- With increased experience and expertise (mid-level), salaries can increase up to ₹12-15 lakh per annum.
- Senior-level professionals with over ten years of experience can earn upwards of ₹20 lakh per annum.
Factors affecting salaries
Location
Location is an important factor influencing salaries in India. For instance, Bangalore is known for offering some of the highest salaries to cloud engineers, with an average annual package ranging between ₹5-18 lakh. Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai are also considered to be top-paying cities.
Skills and specialisations
Specialisation is another important factor influencing salaries. Popular specialisations within cloud engineering include cloud security, cloud architecture, DevOps engineering, and solution architecture.
Salaries for cloud engineers with specialisation skills range from ₹5-20 lakh per annum, depending on experience level.
Here are some popular specialisations within cloud engineering, along with their respective salary ranges and demand in India:
- Cloud Security Architects: These professionals design and implement secure cloud infrastructure. They can earn an average annual salary of ₹14-16 lakhs per annum.
- Data Engineers: Data engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines between different systems for analysis. They can earn an average annual salary of ₹10-12 lakhs per annum.
- DevOps Engineers: DevOps engineers are responsible for deploying and maintaining applications on the cloud platform. They can earn an average annual salary of ₹8-10 lakhs per annum.
Company size
Lastly, company size is another significant factor that affects salary growth. Cloud engineers working in MNCs or large organisations usually take home higher salaries than those employed in SMEs or startups. For instance, the average annual salary of a cloud engineer in Amazon India is around ₹16 lakhs, while in Freshworks it is around ₹10 lakhs.
Here's a comparison of salaries between big and smaller companies:
Big Companies:
- Amazon India: Average Annual Salary: ₹16 Lakh
- Microsoft India: Average Annual Salary: ₹17 Lakh
Smaller Companies:
- Freshworks: Average Annual Salary: ₹10 Lakh
- Zoho Corporation: Average Annual Salary: ₹9 Lakh
Job Potential and Opportunities
Cloud engineering has great potential in India across various industries, including IT, healthcare, finance, etc. With the growing trend of digital transformation and the increasing adoption of cloud computing by businesses of all sizes, the demand for skilled professionals in this area is only going to increase in the coming years.
Moreover, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are creating new opportunities for cloud engineers as well. With companies leveraging AI to make their operations more efficient and data-driven, experienced cloud engineers who can integrate AI into their solutions will be in high demand.
Education and Certification Options
To become a cloud engineer, you can choose from several educational options, like a computer science degree or specialised courses in cloud computing. Several universities across India offer postgraduate degrees in cloud computing.
There are also plenty of short-term courses available online that teach specific skills required for a career in cloud engineering. Here are some popular certification courses in India for aspiring cloud engineers:
Upskilling for Cloud Engineers
Cloud computing is an ever-evolving field where knowledge and skills quickly become outdated. Therefore, it is essential to continue upskilling yourself as a cloud engineer to stay relevant in the industry. Numerous options are available in India for upskilling programmes designed explicitly for cloud engineers.
- Online courses offer various cloud engineering courses that can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Bootcamps and company workshops allow you to upskill while on the job and provide hands-on practical experience.
Kickstart Your Career in Cloud Engineering
With the growing demand for cloud engineering across various industries and specialisations, there are numerous opportunities available. By upskilling and gaining experience in different technologies and domains, you can boost your earning potential.
WIZR is an excellent platform that provides relevant career guidance and financing options to help aspiring cloud engineers achieve their goals.
FAQs
1. Do cloud engineers earn more than cloud architects?
Cloud engineers generally earn more than cloud architects because they are responsible for implementing and managing cloud infrastructure on a day-to-day basis. However, salaries may vary depending on seniority level, experience, company size, and location.
2. Who earns more: software engineers or cloud engineers?
Cloud engineers often earn higher salaries than software engineers due to the specialised skillset required for building and maintaining cloud infrastructure. However, both fields offer excellent earning potential, depending on experience levels and specialisations.
3. Which IT industry pays the best for cloud engineers?
The IT industry that pays the highest salary to cloud engineers is the finance industry, followed by healthcare, e-commerce, and IT consulting firms.
4. Can I switch careers to become a cloud engineer without prior experience?
Yes! You can switch careers to become a cloud engineer without prior experience by joining relevant courses or certification programmes that will help you gain knowledge in this field.
