Cloud Engineer Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - April 15, 2018
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Reading Time: 10 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Cloud Engineer. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Cloud Engineers.

Job Duties

A cloud engineer is responsible for developing, building, maintaining, and implementing the cloud network within the organization. With cloud adoption becoming more commonplace, these engineers can work virtually anywhere, from small organizations with only one or two computers, to huge businesses that have an international presence. Good cloud engineers have an in-depth understanding, therefore, of the business plan of their organization so that they can develop a cloud solution that is fully fit for purpose.

These engineers design and implement cloud networks. Once deployed, they are responsible for the system’s management. They help troubleshoot any issues and help to train employees on how to properly operate it. Furthermore, they analyze how the network is used so that they can anticipate growth. Often, they work with other employees in the IT sector, including computer systems administrators, network architects, and systems managers. This ensures that all the networking requirements are met and properly implemented and supported.

Other job duties of a cloud engineer are:

  • To develop layouts and plans for the overall cloud communication network
  • To speak to management to showcase why moving to the cloud is the best solution for the organization
  • To have a strong focus on information security
  • To ensure all hardware, including adapters and routers, and all software, including drivers, are fully up to date to support the cloud
  • To stay up to date with new developments in the world of cloud technology so that the implemented solutions are always up to date and fully fit for purpose

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 162,700 computer network architects in 2016, a profession most closely related to that of cloud engineer. The largest employers of these professionals are:

  • Computer systems design and related services 26%
  • Wired telecommunications carriers 8%
  • Management of companies and enterprises 7%
  • Insurance carriers and related activities 5%
  • Educational services; state, local, and private 5%

How to Become

In order to become a cloud engineer, a bachelor’s degree in a field relating to computers and computer sciences is usually required. Professional experience in the field, such as computer system administration or network administration, is generally also required.

Education Requirements

A cloud engineer generally has at least a bachelor’s degree in a field such as information systems, computer science, or engineering. It is generally best to have a degree in a field related to computers, as this demonstrates that the prospective cloud engineer has knowledge about all the elements of importance, including database design and network security. It also ensures that these engineers understand all the different types of network technologies.

More and more often, cloud engineers have a master’s degree. The master of business administration (MBA) is particularly popular. This usually takes two years to complete after undergraduate studies. Additionally, cloud engineers usually have between five and 10 years of experience in IT systems. They often come from occupations related to computers, including those of the computer systems analyst and database administrator.

Certification or licensing is not required for a cloud engineer, but holding voluntary certification does show a commitment to professionalism. Usually, certifications are provided by individual cloud vendors, making them apprpopriate to the organization for which the engineer works.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective cloud engineers have the following traits to some degree or other:

– Strong analytical skills
– Highly detail oriented
– Excellent interpersonal skills
– Great leadership skills
– Strong organizational skills
– Excellent communication skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Cloud Engineer was $118,586. This number is estimated from over 1,717,936 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $61.76 and monthly of $9,882.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$47,000

$222,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Cloud Engineer salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Mississippi had the largest quoted salary of $153,600 while Kentucky had the smallest quoted salary of $70,569.

AlabamaIllinoisMissouriOklahoma
ArizonaIndianaMississippiOregon
CaliforniaKansasMontanaPennsylvania
ColoradoKentuckyNorth CarolinaSouth Carolina
ConnecticutLouisianaNebraskaTennessee
DCMassachusettsNew HampshireTexas
DelawareMarylandNew JerseyUtah
FloridaMaineNevadaVirginia
GeorgiaMichiganNew YorkWashington
IowaMinnesotaOhioWisconsin
Alabama$91,219Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Tec-Masters, Inc, World IT Solutions, and World IT Solutions LLC.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$24.00

$72.10

Salary Distribution
Arizona$109,648Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MobileLogix, Experian, Career Evolutions, and Request Technology.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$55,000

$181,000

Salary Distribution
California$131,564Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Phoenix 2.0, Motion Recruitment Partners Prod, Cameron Craig Group, and Cisco.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$58,000

$234,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado$120,254Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like GTSS Minds Inc.., TEKsystems, Nigel Frank International, and CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$48,000

$223,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$106,245Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Technocraft Solutions, SystemsAccountants, Robert Half Technology, and Cardinal Technology solutions INC.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$31,000

$224,000

Salary Distribution
DC$120,652Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bowman Williams, Softworld, Inc., Frank Recruitment Group, and Motion Partners.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$60,000

$202,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware$118,079Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$60,000

$191,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$103,668Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DTSC, Panacea, PF1Professional Services, Inc., and Redolent, Inc.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$42,000

$192,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$112,852Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Career Evolutions, Velossent, Next Generation Recruitment & Staffing Agency, and Principle Solutions Group.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$57,000

$185,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa$100,708Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Transamerica, CyberCoders, Nigel Frank International, and TEKsystems.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$43,000

$182,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois$116,118Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CultureFit Technology Staffing, ADAR IT, dinCloud Corporation, and ITAC Solutions.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$56,000

$196,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$108,511Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$47,000

$195,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas$93,349Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Altek.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$46,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky$70,569Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International and Aerotek.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$18,000

$156,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana$94,697Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology and Clusters United.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$39,000

$175,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$122,152Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gables Search Group, LightWave Partners, Motion Recruitment Partners Prod, and Cameron Craig Group.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$58,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$134,382Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Resolute Technologies, LLC, Next Step Systems, Resolute Technologies, and ITOTS Networks, LLC.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$60,000

$237,000

Salary Distribution
Maine$107,711Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$36,000

$216,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan$99,221Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Idexcel Inc., United Software Group Inc., and The Job Jobber.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$30,000

$206,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$103,703Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Miracle Software Systems, J&S Professional Recruiters, Search Leaders, and CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$43,000

$189,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri$112,660Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Direct Client, Flexsolv Networks, Inc., J&S Professional Recruiters, and CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$46,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi$153,600Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International.

  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$40.00

$200

Salary Distribution
Montana$86,104Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$27,000

$179,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$110,173Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Reesmarx, IBM, Bradford Consulting Companies, and 3coast.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$33,000

$232,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska$89,419Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology and Jelecos.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$45,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire$111,311Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Liberty Mutual.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$44,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$122,496Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bowman Williams, Access Staffing LLC, Graphixide, and E-business International Inc.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$51,000

$223,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada$72,816Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$27,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
New York$129,307Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SALT, SmartCore Infotech, FRG Technology Consulting, and Glocomms.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$38,000

$274,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$101,867Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bey, Modis, The Judge Group, and LexisNexis.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$37,000

$197,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$102,780Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, Newt Global, J&S Professional Recruiters, and Fuse3 Solutions.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$43,000

$187,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon$110,302Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like YochanaIT, TEKsystems, Srishti i2i Biz Solutions, and Intel.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$38,000

$218,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$112,596Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Career Doctor Inc., 21st Century Staffing, Selby Jennings, and J&S Professional Recruiters.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$46,000

$206,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$98,684Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$46,000

$170,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$97,548Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Vaco – Nashville, Vaco, Premier Staffing Partners, and J&S Professional Recruiters.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$33,000

$195,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$113,434Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CSC – Austin Texas, Bradford Consulting Companies, Jim Crumpley & Associates, and CSC – Austin, Texas.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$44,000

$215,000

Salary Distribution
Utah$107,258Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, ConsultNet, and CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$52,000

$182,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia$115,196Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AIM Innovations LLC, ETS Inc., ETS, and FRG Technology Consulting.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$42,000

$223,000

Salary Distribution
Washington$113,562Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like OSLO SOLUTIONS LLC, Net2Source, TEKsystems, and Accenture.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$44,000

$214,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$111,981Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like iBizTek Solutions, Pathfinder Search Group, Liberty Mutual, and CyberCoders.

  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Most Reported
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .

$45,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Cloud Engineer. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

Learn More

Related Careers

Career NameAverage Salary

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

"It doesn't matter how many times you have failed, you only have to be right once." - Mark Cuban