This article is part of an IT Career News series called Your Next Move. These articles take an inside look at the roles related to CompTIA certifications. Each article will include the role's responsibilities, qualifications, related job titles, and salary range. As you consider your next IT career move, check back with CompTIA to learn more about your job prospects and how to get there.
If you would like to be at the forefront of technology and design and implement your own ideas, becoming a cloud architect may be the path to your future.
What is a cloud architect?
A cloud architect designs and plans cloud environments depending on the needs of the organization.
Successful cloud architects possess the following traits:
- Problem-solving—as cloud technology grows, so will the problems that pop up.
- Being versatile and able to handle things like front-end platforms, servers, storage, delivery, and networks required to manage cloud storage.
- Experience with a number of IT fields, including client systems and applications, networking, infrastructure, and web tools.
The cloud refers to any process that has servers on the Internet rather than in-house. A cloud architect must manage and oversee the technology that makes the cloud work for an organization. They must also be knowledgeable about new developments and recent updates and keep the security of cloud services at the forefront of their minds.
Cloud architects are now a vital part of an organization's IT team. For specific business uses, cloud solutions are increasingly more sensible than in-house servers, which means a position like Cloud Architect will only become more prevalent.
How to become a cloud architect
Most organizations hiring a cloud architect are looking for someone with at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or mathematics. However, since the position is relatively new, some smaller companies or startups may hire someone without a four-year degree as long as they have the skills, experience, and certifications to get the job done.
IT certifications like CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Cloud+ can help you land a position as a cloud architect. Check out the CompTIA Career Roadmap to see what other certifications can help you become a cloud architect.
In addition to certifications, CompTIA offers a full suite of training products to help you learn the technical and professional skills needed to become a systems administrator.
- CertMaster Learn: Learn at your pace with interactive lessons and videos.
- CertMaster Labs: Get hands-on practice using real software applications.
- CertMaster Practice: Test your knowledge and find out if you're ready for the exam.
- The Official CompTIA Study Guide: Learn and review exam objectives with our comprehensive textbook.
The details
Cloud architect salary range
The median annual salary for a cloud architect is $129,840 as of May 2023 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)).
Cloud architect job outlook
Cloud technology is booming, so the outlook for jobs like cloud architect is also booming. This technology is hot, and with that comes job growth.
There were more than 466,000 job postings in the U.S. for roles like cloud architects for the 12 month period ending June 2024.
Job titles related to cloud architect
- Cloud specialist
- Solution architect
- Senior cloud engineer
- Cloud systems administrator
- Cloud engineer
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Will your next move be cloud architect? If so, check out CompTIA Cloud+ to get the skills to get you there.