Cloud Engineer

Cloud engineers set up, secure and look after systems hosted on cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. They move services into the cloud, keep them running reliably and control running costs.

These are approximate UK figures for guidance only, not guaranteed salaries. Pay varies by employer, location and experience. Approximate. Based on National Careers Service ranges and UK job adverts; check current figures before deciding.

1. GCSEs including maths
2. A levels, T Level in Digital or Level 3 IT apprenticeship
3. Computing degree, cloud apprenticeship or cloud certifications
4. IT support, junior cloud or operations role
5. Cloud Engineer

Many cloud engineers start in IT support or system administration and move across after gaining vendor certifications such as AWS or Azure fundamentals. Degree and degree apprenticeship routes are also common.

Routes vary. Always check entry requirements with course providers, employers and the relevant professional body.

Often useful but not essential

Main routes in: A levels, T Levels, Apprenticeship, Degree, Other routes.

• Computing
• Maths

• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Linux
• Networking
• Scripting
• Infrastructure as code

• Tech companies
• Banks and finance
• Retail
• Government
• Consultancies

Mostly computer-based and often hybrid or remote. You work with developers and IT teams, write configuration as code and sometimes help fix live problems.

Progress to senior cloud engineer, cloud architect, platform engineering lead or head of infrastructure.