Cloud Computing Programs 2026: AWS, Azure Certs & Pay

Network and computer systems administrators, the BLS occupation that covers much of the day-to-day cloud infrastructure work, earned a median salary of $99,130 in May 2025, while computer network architects who design cloud and hybrid networks earned a median of $134,050 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Cloud computing programs typically teach you to build, secure, and operate the servers, storage, and networks that companies rent from providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud instead of running in their own data centers. Training ranges from short certificate programs built around a single vendor exam to full bachelor’s degrees in cloud or information technology.

What Is a Cloud Computing Program?

A cloud computing program trains students to deploy and manage computing resources on public cloud platforms. Instead of installing physical servers, cloud professionals provision virtual machines, storage buckets, databases, and networks through a web console or code, then monitor cost, performance, and security. Coursework combines general IT foundations (operating systems, networking, scripting) with platform-specific skills tied to AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

Programs come in three main forms. Vendor certification prep courses focus on one exam, such as the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate. College certificate programs bundle several courses and usually map to one or more vendor exams plus CompTIA Cloud+. Associate and bachelor’s degrees in cloud computing, cloud and network engineering, or information technology with a cloud concentration add general education, programming, and project work that employers often expect for architect and engineering roles.

What You’ll Learn

• Cloud concepts and service models: infrastructure, platform, and software as a service (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
• Compute services: virtual machines, containers, serverless functions, and autoscaling
• Storage and databases: object storage, block storage, managed relational and NoSQL databases
• Virtual networking: VPCs and virtual networks, subnets, routing, load balancers, DNS, and VPN or direct connections to on-premises systems
• Identity and access management (IAM), encryption, key management, and shared-responsibility security
• Linux administration and command-line skills, since most cloud workloads run on Linux
• Scripting and infrastructure as code with tools such as Python, Bash, PowerShell, Terraform, or CloudFormation
• Monitoring, logging, cost management, and backup or disaster recovery design
• Migration planning: moving existing applications and data into the cloud
• Hands-on labs in a sandbox account for each major provider

How Long Does Training Take?

A single vendor certification course is typically measured in weeks. A college certificate covering networking, Linux, and one or two cloud platforms usually spans a few semesters. An associate degree is typically two years of full-time study and a bachelor’s degree typically four, though transfer credit and prior certifications can shorten either path at some schools.

Most programs expect significant time in hands-on labs, since exam questions and job interviews focus on what you can actually configure, not just what you can define.

Admissions & Requirements

• High school diploma or GED for certificate and associate programs; bachelor’s programs may also ask for placement testing in math and English
• Comfort with computers and basic troubleshooting; many programs recommend or require an introductory networking course (CompTIA Network+ level) before cloud courses
• Familiarity with Linux and the command line, either as a prerequisite or an early course in the program
• Basic scripting ability is helpful but usually taught within the program
• A reliable computer and internet connection, since most labs run in browser-based sandbox environments
• No professional IT experience is typically required for entry-level programs

Licensing & Certification

Cloud computing does not require a government license. Employers instead look for vendor and industry certifications, and most programs are structured around one or more of them.

Amazon Web Services (AWS): The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the foundational credential and is common in introductory courses. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate is the most widely recognized next step and covers designing resilient, cost-effective architectures. Additional associate-level exams cover developer and system operations (SysOps) roles.

Microsoft Azure: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is the entry exam. Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) is the core credential for people who manage Azure subscriptions, virtual machines, storage, and networking day to day.

Google Cloud: The Cloud Digital Leader credential is foundational, and the Associate Cloud Engineer is the hands-on certification for deploying and managing Google Cloud resources.

CompTIA Cloud+: This vendor-neutral certification covers cloud architecture, security, deployment, operations, and troubleshooting across providers. It is often paired with CompTIA Network+ and Security+ in college programs.

Certifications expire and must be renewed, typically every two to three years depending on the vendor, so plan on continuing education.

For accreditation, degree-granting programs should hold institutional accreditation from a recognized accreditor (for example, HLC, MSCHE, SACSCOC, ACCSC, or DEAC). Some computing degrees also hold programmatic accreditation from ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. Verify accreditation status directly with the school and the accreditor.

Career Outlook & Salary

The BLS does not publish a separate occupation code for “cloud engineer” or “cloud administrator.” Cloud roles are counted within existing occupations, most often network and computer systems administrators and computer network architects. Both groupings include on-premises as well as cloud and hybrid work, so treat these figures as the broader occupation, not a cloud-only measure.

Network and computer systems administrators (SOC 15-1244): The median annual wage was $99,130 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning $62,640 and the highest 10 percent earning $155,050 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment was 314,340. The BLS projects employment to decline 4.2 percent from 2024 to 2034, while still expecting about 14,300 openings per year on average, largely from workers who retire or move into other occupations (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34). The projected decline reflects, in part, the shift from on-premises servers to cloud platforms, which is exactly why cloud skills matter for people in this occupation.

Computer network architects (SOC 15-1241): The median annual wage was $134,050 in May 2025, with the lowest 10 percent earning $79,900 and the highest 10 percent earning $202,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment was 179,740. The BLS projects 11.9 percent growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 11,200 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34). Architect roles generally require several years of administration or engineering experience in addition to education.

Salaries vary widely by location, employer, experience, and the depth of certifications held.

Where You’ll Work

Cloud professionals work in nearly every industry. Common employers include software companies, managed service providers that run cloud environments for smaller clients, financial services, healthcare systems, government agencies, and consulting firms. The cloud providers themselves employ solutions architects and support engineers. Many roles are remote or hybrid, but on-call rotations for production systems are common.

Online vs In-Person Options

Cloud computing is one of the most online-friendly IT fields to study. The labs themselves run in the cloud, so an online student in a browser-based sandbox is doing the same work as an on-campus student. Many colleges offer fully online cloud certificates and degrees, and the vendors provide free-tier or education accounts for practice.

When comparing online programs, confirm that sandbox access is included, that courses align with current exam versions, and that instructors are available when a lab breaks. In-person programs add value through physical networking labs, which help if you are starting from zero on the networking side.

Finding a Program

Cloud computing programs are offered by community colleges, four-year universities, and vendor-authorized training partners. Use the school listings above to compare options, and review these related resources:

• IT Certifications guide for an overview of how AWS, Azure, CompTIA, and other credentials fit together
• Network Administration programs if you want to build the networking foundation first
• Cybersecurity programs for the security side of cloud operations
• IT Support programs as a common starting point before specializing in cloud

Related Programs

Other IT training paths that share prerequisites or lead into cloud work:

• Software Development programs
• Web Development programs
• Network Administration programs

Career Guide

Most people enter cloud work from an adjacent IT role: help desk, systems administration, or networking. A typical progression is a junior administrator position, then a cloud administrator or cloud engineer role once you hold an associate-level certification and have production experience, and eventually an architect, DevOps, or site reliability engineering position. Specializing deeply in one provider is usually more valuable early on than collecting foundational certifications across all three. A portfolio of documented projects, such as a deployed web application with infrastructure as code and monitoring, helps demonstrate practical ability.

Read the IT Certifications guide for more on sequencing credentials.

FAQs

Do I need a degree to work in cloud computing?

Not always. Many cloud administrators enter through certifications and experience, especially at managed service providers and smaller companies. Larger employers and architect or engineering roles frequently list a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology as a requirement or strong preference. A common approach is to earn certifications first, start working, and complete a degree online while employed.

Which cloud certification should I start with?

Start with a foundational exam for the platform most common among employers in your area or industry: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals, or Google Cloud Digital Leader. Then move to the associate-level credential for that same platform, such as AWS Solutions Architect - Associate or Azure Administrator Associate.

Do I need to know how to code?

You do not need to be a software developer, but you will need scripting skills. Cloud work relies on automating tasks with Python, Bash, or PowerShell and defining infrastructure with tools like Terraform. Most programs typically teach these from the beginning, and comfort with the Linux command line matters more on day one than any particular language.

How does cloud computing relate to cybersecurity?

Closely. Security is a shared responsibility between the provider and the customer, and misconfigured storage, overly broad IAM permissions, and exposed networks are common causes of cloud breaches. Many students pair a cloud credential with CompTIA Security+ or a cloud security certification. See our cybersecurity programs page for that path.

Is cloud computing a good field given the BLS projection for administrators?

The BLS projects a 4.2 percent decline for network and computer systems administrators from 2024 to 2034, driven partly by organizations moving from on-premises servers to cloud platforms. That shift reduces demand for traditional server administration while increasing the need for people who can manage cloud environments, so cloud skills position you on the growing side of the change. The related architect occupation is projected to grow 11.9 percent over the same period (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Can I practice without paying for cloud services?

Yes. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud all offer free tiers or trial credits for learners, and many schools provide sandbox accounts through the vendors’ education programs. Confirm that a program includes managed sandbox access so you are not responsible for unexpected usage charges while practicing.

Salary and employment data reflect U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for May 2025 and Employment Projections for 2024-34 for the broader occupations noted above. The BLS does not track cloud computing as a separate occupation. Actual salaries vary by location, experience, and employer. Program availability varies by school.

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