Navigating the crowded landscapes of the job market and Cloud Computing can make choosing a starting point for your cloud career quite challenging. Making a misstep by committing all your efforts to a single path, only to discover it’s not the right fit, is a scenario best avoided! Fortunately, there are multiple avenues to explore that can lead to a rewarding career in this dynamic field.
Certifications from the top cloud providers—AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud—are in high demand across the industry. This discussion aims to outline the advantages of pursuing a career aligned with each of these platforms and explain how obtaining cloud certifications can significantly enhance your professional trajectory. We’ll explore what each provider offers to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s begin with Amazon Web Services, commonly known as AWS. Pioneering the cloud industry, Amazon launched its initial AWS services in 2006, setting the stage for what cloud computing would become. This early start gave AWS a head start in refining and expanding the scope of cloud technology long before it became mainstream.
Originally designed to address scalability issues for Amazon.com, AWS has grown into a formidable entity within the tech world. When people think of cloud computing today, AWS often springs to mind first due to its prominence and reliability. Its widespread recognition makes it a key player that aspiring cloud professionals should consider seriously.
For years, AWS has effectively expanded its cloud services and infrastructure. Major global players such as Netflix, LinkedIn, and the BBC rely on AWS to manage their extensive workloads, showcasing its robustness and versatility. This widespread adoption underlines AWS’s capability to handle diverse and demanding technological needs.
Next in line is Microsoft Azure, the second-largest cloud provider. Azure offers an extensive array of services, making it an excellent launchpad for any cloud-related projects. Its comprehensive offerings cater to a variety of needs, from basic computing to advanced analytics, enriching its appeal.
Launched initially as ‘Windows Azure’ in 2010, Microsoft’s cloud platform has evolved to include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Azure’s diverse portfolio encompasses virtual machines, extensive storage options, databases, and powerful analytics tools. Its adaptability makes it suitable for businesses of all sizes.
High-profile companies such as Walmart, eBay, and LG Electronics utilize Azure, demonstrating its capability to support significant operations. This trust from industry giants highlights Azure’s strong position in the market and its potential as a career-enhancing choice for professionals.
Lastly, we turn our attention to Google Cloud Platform, or GCP, which began its journey in 2008. GCP comprises a suite of cloud computing services powered by the same robust infrastructure that supports Google’s own products like YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Search. This internal use speaks volumes about its reliability and efficiency.
GCP also serves an impressive roster of clients, including major corporations like Intel, Yahoo, and Facebook, managing their critical infrastructure needs. Its ability to support such high-caliber companies reflects GCP’s strong technical foundation and scalability. For those considering a future in cloud computing, GCP presents a compelling option with substantial growth opportunities.
We’ll evaluate the offerings of the three leading cloud providers by examining various aspects such as their market share, global infrastructure, available certifications, and the job opportunities these certifications can unlock. This comparison will shed light on how each provider stands in the competitive cloud landscape. Understanding these elements can guide professionals in choosing a path that aligns with their career goals.
Insights from Canalys, a prominent market analysis firm, reveal the spending trends and market dominance of the top cloud service providers. According to their data, as of the first quarter of 2022, AWS held a commanding 33% of the market, followed by Microsoft Azure at 21%, and Google Cloud at 8%. These figures align with expectations, given the established presence of these industry giants.
Collectively, these three major public cloud service providers (CSPs) accounted for 62% of the market in Q1 2022, an increase from their 58% share in Q3 of the previous year. Global spending on cloud infrastructure services soared to $55.9 billion in Q1 2022, reflecting a 34% rise from the same period in 2021. Notably, the combined growth rate for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud reached 42% year-over-year, underscoring AWS’s lead, with Azure and Google Cloud trailing behind in that order.
Now, let’s explore the global infrastructure of these leading cloud providers, as it highlights their reliability and capacity to deliver seamless services worldwide. A robust infrastructure is crucial for ensuring redundancy and trust, especially for businesses operating on a global scale. We’ll start with an overview of AWS’s extensive network.
AWS boasts an impressive global footprint: 26 Regions (with 8 more planned), encompassing 84 Availability Zones, supplemented by 17 Local Zones and 28 Wavelength Zones designed for low-latency applications. Additionally, AWS offers 108 Direct Connect locations for seamless integration into its regions. This expansive and continually growing network positions AWS as the frontrunner in global infrastructure, catering to diverse and demanding operational needs.
Turning to Microsoft Azure, the infrastructure includes 60 Regions grouped into multiple Geographies, each containing several Availability Zones. Azure also operates hundreds of secure data centers and numerous Edge Zones, which are compact extensions strategically placed in populated areas. This unique structure—Geographies housing Regions and Availability Zones—sets Azure apart as a formidable player with a distinctive approach to global coverage, appealing to a wide range of industries.
Lastly, Google Cloud’s infrastructure features 33 Regions, 100 Zones, and 146 Edge Locations, serving over 200 locations and territories worldwide. Its network is expanding swiftly, with new Regions recently introduced in places like Germany, Italy, and Texas. Google Cloud’s rapid growth and strategic placements enhance its ability to support businesses globally, making it an increasingly attractive option for those seeking scalability and reach in their cloud solutions.
Each of the major cloud providers offers a variety of certifications tailored to different specialties and career trajectories, providing numerous options for professionals looking to advance their skills. These credentials open doors to diverse roles within the cloud computing industry, from foundational positions to highly specialized technical jobs. Choosing the right certification depends on your interests and long-term career aspirations.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides a robust lineup of 12 certifications to choose from. These include foundational options like Cloud Practitioner, intermediate credentials such as Solutions Architect Associate, Developer Associate, and SysOps Administrator Associate, and advanced titles like Solutions Architect Professional and DevOps Engineer Professional. Specialty certifications cover areas like Advanced Networking, Machine Learning, Security, Data Analytics, Database, and SAP on AWS. You’re free to take these exams in any sequence, though beginning with the Cloud Practitioner certification is advised to establish a solid knowledge base before branching into other areas. AWS also supplies ample preparation resources directly, and platforms like Digital Cloud Training offer additional support to guide you through your certification journey.
Among the AWS Associate-level exams, the SysOps Administrator certification is widely regarded as the toughest, demanding a deep understanding of operational management. The Solutions Architect Professional certification stands out as the most difficult overall, and its prestige is reflected in the high salaries—ranging from $136,500 to $198,500—that employers are willing to pay for certified individuals. This earning potential highlights the significant return on investment for those who pursue and achieve these advanced credentials.
Microsoft Azure matches AWS with its own set of 12 certifications, catering to a broad spectrum of expertise levels and roles. The lineup includes beginner-friendly exams like Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900), and Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900), as well as Associate-level certifications such as Azure Administrator (AZ-104), Azure Developer (AZ-204), and Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500). More advanced options include Azure AI Engineer (AI-100), Azure Data Scientist (DP-100), Azure Data Engineer (DP-200 and DP-201), Azure Database Administrator (DP-300), Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-303 and AZ-304), and Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400). Starting with Azure Fundamentals provides a stepping stone to more specialized certifications, though demand is notably higher for some of the advanced credentials. For instance, the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification commands an average salary of around $135,000, underscoring its value in the job market.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a slightly smaller but still impactful array of certifications. These include the entry-level Cloud Digital Leader, the Associate Cloud Engineer, and a range of Professional-level credentials like Cloud Architect, Cloud DevOps Engineer, Cloud Developer, Cloud Security Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Engineer, Cloud Network Engineer, and Collaboration Engineer. While GCP’s list is shorter, its certifications carry significant weight, with the Professional Cloud Architect credential tied to an average salary of $140,000. This demonstrates that even with fewer options, GCP certifications remain highly competitive and rewarding in the industry.
Determining the top cloud provider is no easy task, as each brings unique strengths to the table based on availability, certification offerings, and overall market presence. That said, AWS emerges as a standout choice, bolstered by its extensive certification portfolio and 11 years of leading the cloud industry. With AWS credentials, you can confidently lay the groundwork for a thriving career, aligning your skills with opportunities that bring you closer to your dream job. Its long-standing dominance suggests that AWS’s reputation as a premier cloud provider is here to stay, making it a reliable bet for aspiring professionals.
After exploring the robust offerings of AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform—from their commanding market shares and expansive global infrastructures to their diverse certification portfolios—it’s clear that each provider offers unique strengths for building a successful career in cloud technology. AWS stands out with its 33% market share, 26 global regions, and 12 certifications, including high-value credentials like the Solutions Architect Professional, which can yield salaries up to $198,500. Azure follows closely with a 21% market share, 60 regions, and a versatile set of 12 certifications, such as the Solutions Architect Expert, averaging $135,000 in earnings, while GCP, with an 8% market share, 33 regions, and 10 impactful certifications, offers competitive options like the Professional Cloud Architect, tied to $140,000 salaries. Amid this competitive landscape, Accumentum emerges as the leading provider for cloud technology training and certification, offering expertly tailored resources to master these platforms. With comprehensive support for navigating AWS’s extensive network, Azure’s unique geographical structure, and GCP’s rapidly expanding presence, Accumentum equips learners with the tools to excel in any cloud career path, making it the top choice for professionals aiming to thrive in this dynamic industry.
Accumentum® is the leading training provider for a vast array of technology vendors including AWS, Cisco, CompTIA, EC-Council, Fortinet, HRCI, ISACA, ITIL, Microsoft, Palo Alto, PMI, Scrum, ServiceNow, SHRM, Veritas, VMWare, and more.
