As cloud computing became one of the most critical technological support for businesses, there arose a need for core competency and skills to design and manage the software solutions that the clouds offer.
Replying to the market’s call, Amazon extended its services to a certification training program in AWS in the spring of 2013. This self-scheduled certification requires 80-120 hours of thorough preparation, which means 2.5-3 months while holding a full-time or part-time job.
In the last six years, as demand for in-house cloud services increased, individuals with AWS certification got lucrative opportunities in front of them, thanks to their newly acquired set of knowledge and skills.
Amazon offers training for its cloud computing services at both associate and professional level for architects, developers, systems operators, and administrators alike. Here are some of the top-paying AWS Certifications that one can specialize in.
1. AWS Certified Developer
AWS certification for developers, which is one of the most popular IT certification with an average salary as high as $130,610, but it also has a few prerequisites for the same.
One has to have prior and proper knowledge of the basics of AWS services, code writing for optimization, code-level application security, and know-how of software development kits (SDKs) to communicate with services from one’s own application.
2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect
The Associate level certification in Solutions Architecture of AWS, upon completion, earns an average salary of $130,883 in the USA and Canada, as per the 2019 IT Skills and Salary Survey by Global Knowledge.
Once an IT professional passes the associate level, they can go on to do the professional level if needed, since it obviously earns a higher pay package because of advanced knowledge.
Approximately $148,456 is the average salary for professional-level AWS solutions architects in the USA and Canada area.
Also Read: 10 Most Sought After Cybersecurity Certifications that Are Worth For IT Professionals
3. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineering by AWS is the combined professional certification of Developers and SysOps administrators who clear the associate level. One must hold either one of these two associate-level certifications before enrolling for DevOps Engineering.
Very few IT professionals actually go for this one, it is a highly specialized and in-demand position to hold. There are many courses available online to learn aws basics for free, and become AWS Certified DevOps Engineer.
The average salary of an AWS Certified DevOps Engineer is $137,724.
Since it is a high-level, knowledge, and experience-intensive certification, it requires an understanding of a few core concepts like delivery systems, AWS methodologies and how to implement and manage them, automation of operational processes and security protocols, and governance.
4. AWS SysOps Administrator
AWS SysOps Administrator certification imparts explicit knowledge in deployment, management, and operations on AWS. It requires basic technical knowledge of implementation and controlling of data flow to and from AWS, migrating on-premises apps to AWS, and identifying operational cost control mechanisms.
The average salary of an AWS SysOps Administrator is around $130,610 in good companies.
