Cloud Engineer Salary in India for Freshers & Experienced

As organisations globally race to stay agile and ahead, the cloud emerges as the catalyst, remoulding the IT infrastructure landscape. Gone are those days of reliance on local servers and rigid hardware constraints. Cloud computing is the new answer, giving an elastic and scalable paradigm, transcending boundaries and excelling us into a new age of efficiency and accessibility.

According to Grand View Research reports, the global cloud computing market surged to $266 billion in 2019. Nevertheless, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in remote work trends escalated the adoption of cloud services, resulting in a massive 59% growth.

This surge has reshaped business operations and sparked a particular interest in Cloud Computing careers. Cloud Engineers, the architects of this virtual arena, find themselves on a hunt for commendable salary packages. Additionally, as businesses transition to public, private, and hybrid Cloud Infrastructure, the role of a cloud engineer becomes increasingly critical. Read along to understand Cloud Engineers and Cloud Engineer salaries in India for freshers.

Who Exactly is a Cloud Engineer?

A cloud engineer serves as an IT professional handling all technical activities within an organisation in terms of Cloud Computing services. These professionals encircle planning, designing, managing, and organising the firm’s Cloud services. Remarkably, a cloud engineer plays an important role in storing all databases in a cloud system and is accountable for the potent management of the implementation of the new system.

Multitasking is amongst the most important facets of a cloud engineer’s role, necessitating a paramount comprehension of technical skills. Beyond technical proficiency, the Cloud engineer must have the ability to negotiate with numerous suppliers along with vendors, ensuring the establishment and maintenance of data security while grappling for optimal results throughout the process. The vast and dynamic positions in an organisation that fall under the umbrella of a Cloud Engineer include:

• The architect is responsible for designing the Cloud system.
• The engineer supporting the database.
• A Security Engineer tasked with maintaining data security.
• A network engineer handling the network system.

As technological innovation accelerates the imperativeness of cloud engineers, their demand has surged, mirrored in substantial Cloud Engineers’ salaries even at the entry-level. Now, let’s dive deeply into the factors influencing cloud engineers’ salaries in India.

Also Read: DevOps vs. Cloud Engineering

When considering the Cloud Engineer salary in India, the years of overall work experience and the specific role undertaken play great roles. Accumulated years of experience and anticipating a critical role in an organisation are the two most significant factors contributing to the Cloud Engineer salary structure. Individuals with a notable track record and roles & responsibilities important to the company’s operations are likely to receive pay scale in comparison with their counterparts in a Cloud Computing sphere. Below outlined are numerous roles within the corporate domain, along with their corresponding salaries:

1. Solutions Architect

The salary of a Solutions Architect commands high confidence worldwide, with an average cloud engineer’s salary in India reaching Rs. 26,17,500 lakh per annum with a minimum experience of 5-6 years, as per the data shared by Glassdoor.

2. DevOps Engineer

The average base salary for a DevOps engineer stands at Rs. 8, 24,000 lakh per annum. While a senior Cloud engineer’s salary has surpassed this figure, freshers/beginners and those with minimum experience in Cloud Engineering can expect this salary structure, as reported by Glassdoor.

3. SysOps Engineer

The average salary of a SysOps engineer is said to be Rs. 8, 87,872 lakh per annum, needing a minimum experience of at least 4 to 5 years. However, this salary is predicted to see a surge in tandem with getting experience in the corporate landscape.

4. Cloud Architect

The national average base salary for a cloud architect impressively stood at Rs. 19,79598 lakh per annum. Not to mention, even for freshers, this profession proffers a high-paying salary, and as experience accumulates, the salary continues to escalate.

5. Cloud Software Developer

A Cloud software developer bags a salary of Rs. 11, 88,548 per annum. The demand for Cloud Engineers ensures that salaries encounter a soaring trajectory once individuals start to progress in their careers.

Cloud Engineer Salary in India: Influenced by Employer/Company

The average monthly Cloud Engineer salary experiences massive variations, which typically depend upon the company of employment. Let’s dive deep into the average Cloud Engineer salary in India offered by some of the world’s most reckoned d Giants.

1. VMware

Senior Cloud engineers at VMware bag an average salary of Rs. 15.8 lakh per annum. This US-based firm, broadly recognised across the globe, possesses a high pay scale for its employees.

2. Amazon

Known for its extraordinary customer experience, Amazon is expanding its commitment to employee satisfaction with a high pay scale. Cloud Engineers at Amazon take home a salary of 12,00,000 lakh per annum.

3. Cisco

As an eminent player in the IT sector, Cisco offers its Cloud engineers a salary of Rs. 19 00,000 lakh per annum, even for beginners with minimal experience. Additionally, a Senior Cloud engineer’s salary in India at Cisco is relatively high.

4. Accenture

Senior Cloud engineers at Accenture earn a salary of Rs. 8, 00,000 lakh per annum, demonstrating the firm’s commitment to offering its employees well. Freshers at Accenture bags slightly lower salaries. This renowned IT Firm has a reputation for offering competitive compensation to its seasoned Cloud engineers.

5. Microsoft

A leader in software services for multitudes of applications, Microsoft sets a whopping salary of Rs. 17, 00, 000 lakh per annum for Cloud Computing engineers with minimal experience. The pay scale for lead Cloud engineers at Microsoft mirrors a higher pay range, resonating with the firm’s standing in the industry.

Cloud Engineer Salary in India: Influenced by Skill Set

The cloud engineer’s successful career hinges on his ability to manage various tasks and master specific skill sets. To flourish in this ever-evolving field, a Cloud engineer ought to have a range of skills, including:

• Proficiency in Linux
• Expertise in database-related skills
• Programming language proficiency
• Networking skills
• Understanding of DevOps principles
• Familiarity with various Cloud providers
• Knowledge of security and recovery measures
• Competence in virtualisation and containerisation

An expert equipped with some or all of these skills can assume an average salary ranging from Rs. 8.7 Lakhs to Rs. 46.8 Lakhs per annum at Google as per the Ambition Box, with the potential for an increase with accumulated experience. It’s worth noting that salary levels may see variations based on the employing company.

Cloud Engineer Salary in India: Influenced by Certifications

As the demand for Cloud engineers is continuously soaring, proficiency in numerous areas becomes prudent for upscaling careers. Those willing to make a crucial impact in the industry should contemplate acquiring the following certifications, as these certifications will help you secure a job abroad.

• Cloud security certification
• Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Cloud migration and deployment course completion
• Mastery of serverless architecture concepts
• Database knowledge and relevant certification
• Proficiency in modern programming languages
• Web services and APIs certification

A cloud engineer entrusted with these certifications may bag a starting salary of Rs. 75, 95, 402 with the potential for further increases based on work experience and performance. (Data source: PayScale USD converted to INR)

Cloud Engineer Salary in India Based on Educational Background

A Cloud engineer must hail from a scientific background, holding an undergraduate degree in computer science, software applications, or engineering. Other domains of study with in-depth knowledge and skill sets may also be contemplated. Some organisations additionally prefer Cloud engineers to have a master’s degree in CSE (Computer Science and Engineering).

A Cloud Engineer fulfilling all the required educational requirements may land a position in a firm with an initial salary of Rs. 11,03,559 lakh per annum. As an individual gains work experience and enhances his/her skills, the salary is prone to surge.

Roles  and Responsibility of a Cloud Engineer

A Cloud Engineer plays a crucial role in designing, implementing, and managing cloud services and infrastructure. Let’s discuss the key roles and responsibilities typically associated with these positions.

• Cloud Architecture Design: It designs scalable and secure cloud infrastructure solutions. This evaluates and recommends cloud services based on project requirements.
• Deployment and Management: Deploy applications and services in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc). It manages cloud resources, ensuring optimal performance and cost-efficiency. This implements automation for deployment using infrastructure as Source Code (IaC) tools (eg. Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Security and Compliance: This ensures cloud infrastructure meets security standards and compliance regulations.  It implements identity and access management (IAM) policies.
• Monitoring and Optimization: This sets up monitoring tools to track cloud performance and resource usage. It analyzes and optimizes cloud costs and resource allocations.
• Disaster Recovery and Backup: This implements backup and disaster recovery solutions. It tests and updates recovery plans regularly to ensure data integrity and availability.
• Documentation: This creates and maintains documentation for cloud architecture, processes, and procedures.

Skills Required to be a Cloud Engineer

Let’s discuss what skills are required to be a successful Cloud Engineer.

• Cloud Service Proficiency: This expertise in major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Infrastructure as Source Code (IaC): This proficiency in IaC tools like Terraform or AWS Cloud Formation for automating infrastructure deployment.
• Networking Knowledge: This understanding of cloud networking concepts, including VPCs, load balances, and DNS(Domain Name System).
• Scripting and Automation: Ability to write scripts using languages like Python, Bash, or PowerShell to automate tasks.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to address issues quickly and effectively.
• DevOps Practices: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and tools (Jenkins, Gitlab) to streamline deployment processes.
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying updated with evolving cloud technologies and industry trends.

Factors Impacting Cloud Engineer Salary in 2024

Undoubtedly, the surge in data-centric technology has intensified the imperativeness of cloud engineers in every organization. The evolution of technology has necessitated the presence of cloud engineers in almost all firms, which eventually contributes to the initial high starting salary for Cloud engineers.

Several factors influence Cloud engineer’s salary in India, including:

1. Experience

When it comes to Cloud Engineers, climbing the corporate ladder and accumulating experience can only result in higher salaries. Senior Cloud engineers bag significantly higher salaries in comparison to entry-level professionals.

2. Location

In determining the salary of a Cloud Engineer, the geographical location plays a substantial role. IT hubs such as Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi in India offer good salary packages for Cloud engineers, with variations depending on demand. Locations outside these cities may see comparatively lower pay scales.

3. Job Role

Cloud Computing roles vary, with specific designations such as cloud architect, DevOps engineer, SysOps engineer, etc. These roles are often contingent on the certifications obtained, such as the AWS online Assessment Solution Architect certification for expertise in Cloud Architecture.

4. Skillset

The salary of a Cloud engineer in India is typically based on skill sets. Prowess in specific skills and in-depth knowledge of the domain contributes to higher salaries in comparison to peers with a less relevant skill set.

5. Organisation

The recruiting firm also significantly determines a Cloud engineer’s salary in India. Established organisations with global recognition and higher turnovers usually offer more competitive pay scales compared to startups or smaller companies.

To Make the Long Story Short

Cloud engineers can expect to have a secure and promising future, with hybrid Cloud engineer salaries ranking amongst the highest pay scales worldwide. Consider registering for the Hero Vired DevOps and Cloud Computing certification program in collaboration with Microsoft to make sure you have a thriving career in the field of Cloud Computing. Attain in-depth knowledge about Cloud services and gear yourself up for a successful career in this dynamic and rapidly evolving industry.