Cloud Developer Salary: Jobs, Trends, and Outlook for 2026

Key takeaways

Cloud developers are in high demand, which coincides with the strong earning potential for cloud development roles.

• Cloud developers earn a total median annual salary of $128,000 [1].

• Earning a relevant certification is a good way to increase your salary as a cloud developer. 

• You can become a cloud developer with a degree, such as a bachelor’s degree in computer science, and key skills like computer programming.

Learn how to maximize your future earnings as a cloud developer. If you’re ready to start earning valuable credentials, an AWS Cloud Technology Consultant Professional Certificate can help you learn to advise clients on cloud technology using AWS solutions, putting you one step closer to entering this growing field.

What affects the salary a cloud developer earns?

Cloud developers are paid well for their advanced technical skills and abilities. As a cloud developer, you’ll have niche knowledge that goes beyond engineering and programming. Employers will often rely on you to integrate your technical expertise with knowledge of business strategy and financial planning. This sets the salary higher, and you can expect a median total salary in the US, including benefits and other compensation, of $128,000 per year [1]. 

However, your education, certifications, experience, and title can affect your earning potential. Learning how to maximize these factors can help you earn more.

How to become a cloud developer: Salary by education level

Generally, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for an entry-level cloud developer role. Majoring in related subjects such as computer science, computer engineering, and information technology can help you gain new abilities, like programming, and provide you with industry knowledge to build your career. However, if you don’t have a degree in this area, showing your abilities and dedication through additional coursework and certifications can bridge the gap in your knowledge.

As you gain higher education, your salary will typically rise. The increase in salary by degree is mirrored in the overall salary averages in the US, with the median salaries for professionals with higher education degrees in 2024 listed below [2]:

• Bachelor’s degree: $80,236

• Master’s degree: $95,680

A graduate degree, such as a master’s or PhD, in a cloud development-related field is highly compensated by employers. These degrees emphasize the required skills for cloud development and help you learn technical skills for more complex tasks. Graduate degrees may allow you to enter mid- to high-level cloud development roles. 

Read more: Computer Science vs. Information Technology: Careers, Degrees, and More

Cloud developer certifications

Earning a certification in cloud development is another great way to increase your earning potential. Certifications provide validation that coursework sometimes cannot. Many certification exams design their problems to mirror real-life scenarios and measure your ability to apply the skills you’ve learned. Employers may rely on certifications to ensure that new hires add value to the team.

Google and AWS cloud developer salary figures

The AWS Certified Developer and Google Cloud certifications are highly respected, globally recognized certifications. When you earn a certification, you can expect to see an increase in pay and responsibilities. Research from Jefferson Frank's Careers and Hiring Guide reveals that 73 percent of people who get an AWS certification see an average salary increase of 27 percent [3].

Professionals with a Google Cloud Developer certification earn an average of $152,438, with professional cloud network engineers earning an average of $209,778 in the US [4]. While these cloud certifications are great options, there are many others available that cover different skills and may be a better fit for specific expertise.

Cloud computing developer salary by years of experience

One direct contributor to your compensation will be your experience. While education and certifications may set you up for success, the years you spend working in the field can provide you with opportunities to learn valuable on-the-job skills that can increase your efficiency and sharpen your skills. 

According to Glassdoor, you can expect the following average annual base pay in the US based on your experience level [1]:

• 0–1 year: $93,000

• 1–3 years: $102,500

• 4–6 years: $112,500

• 7–9 years: $118,500

• 10–14 years: $130,000

• 15+ years: $143,500

What is a cloud developer? Salary by job title

Within the cloud development field, you’ll find multiple roles that have varying responsibilities. While your experience and credentials will play a substantial part in your salary, your job title may influence it as well. Here is what to expect when applying to different roles:

• Cloud architect: $152,000 [5]

• Cloud consultant: $115,500 [6]

• Cloud engineer: $117,00 [7]

• Cloud software developer: $134,500 [8]

Cloud computing developer salary by industry

Many industries need cloud developers, and the industry you choose may affect your earning potential and long-term career opportunities. 

Highest-paying industries

While cloud developers make well above the national average, cloud architecture is among the highest-paid cloud development industries. If you work as a cloud solutions architect in the US, you can expect to earn a salary that ranges from $127,000 to $174,000 per year [9]. Cloud engineering is another top-earning industry, with cloud software engineers in the US earning base salaries between $113,000 and $156,000 per year [10].

Other common industries

Other common industries for cloud developers in the US include consulting, cloud operations, and software architecture. For these industries, you can expect to earn somewhere between $110,000 to $287,000 per year, on average [6, 11, 12].

Cloud developer salary by location

Where you work is another factor in how much you earn as a cloud developer. Typically, if you’re located in a large city with a high cost of living, your salary will be higher to reflect your financial needs. For employers that offer remote work, your physical location can often affect your compensation. 

For example, as a cloud engineer in San Francisco, you can expect to earn a base salary of $140,000 [13], while a cloud engineer in Cincinnati can expect around $99,500 [14].

How team and company size affect the cloud developer salary

Your team and company size can also affect your earning potential. Large IT firms tend to provide high salaries for cloud development professionals. For example, cloud architects at Google and Meta earn an average salary of $359,00 and $309,000 [5]. Tech companies are often hubs for innovation, so they hire cloud developers with the most extensive skill sets and training. You can expect a fast-paced environment full of creativity and expansion.

Salaries of cloud developer roles and other career paths

While cloud development has a wide variety of roles, there are many jobs that use similar skills in related fields. Taking the time to explore other career paths can provide you with the knowledge to make the right professional choice.

How much does the average cloud developer make?

Cloud developers in the US typically earn an average base salary of $98,912 per year [1]. The amount is influenced by your education, experience, certifications, location, and employer. Being intentional about your preparation and the jobs you apply for can help set you up for long-term career growth and success.

US salaries for other cloud computing roles

Cloud developers earn similar compensation to other professions that deal with data analysis, network architecture, and information engineering due to the related training and educational requirements. When looking at the base salaries of similar careers, you can expect the following:

• Data engineer: $109,000 [15]

• DevOps engineer: $119,500 [16]

• Digital skills trainer: $57,500 [17]

• Full-stack engineer: $106,500 [18]

• Network architect: $144,000 [19]

• QA engineer: $85,00 [20]

• Security engineer: $134,000 [21]

Explore free resources for cloud developers

Exploring a future career as a cloud developer? Stay up to date with the latest developments with free resources like our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat.

• Watch on YouTube: Your Quick Guide to Cloud Computing 

• Take the quiz: Python Skill Assessment

• Hear from a pro: Bots & Blueprints: 6 Questions with a Software Architect and AI Developer 

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