Cloud Engineer → Cloud Architect
Highest-paid generalist track. Stack: networking + Linux + cloud + IaC.
Phased progression
Foundations → first role → specialisation → advanced. The realistic order, not a script.
- 010–6 monthsFoundations
Literacy, lab habits, the cert that opens first conversations.
AWS Cloud Practitioner - 026–18 monthsFirst paid role
Land a Junior Cloud Engineer / Cloud Support. Operational time, not more certs, earns the next move.
Junior Cloud Engineer / Cloud Support$80–120k entry - 031.5–3 yearsSpecialisation
Add a specialist credential aligned to the work you're already doing.
AZ-900$130–180k mid - 043+ yearsAdvanced
Move into adjacent roles. Long-term credentials become worth their cost.
DevOps EngineerAWS Solutions Architect Pro$180k+ senior
- 01Foundations0–6 months
Literacy, lab habits, the cert that opens first conversations.
AWS Cloud Practitioner - 02First paid role6–18 months
Land a Junior Cloud Engineer / Cloud Support. Operational time, not more certs, earns the next move.
Junior Cloud Engineer / Cloud Support$80–120k entry - 03Specialisation1.5–3 years
Add a specialist credential aligned to the work you're already doing.
AZ-900$130–180k mid - 04Advanced3+ years
Move into adjacent roles. Long-term credentials become worth their cost.
DevOps EngineerAWS Solutions Architect Pro$180k+ senior
Certification sequence
Ordered by realistic relevance, not vendor marketing.
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- AZ-900
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate
- AZ-104
- Terraform Associate
- AWS Solutions Architect Pro
- AZ-305
Practical projects
What to actually build, the portfolio that opens interviews.
- Multi-account AWS landing zone with Terraform
- Three-tier app deployed via IaC + CI/CD
- Cost-optimisation audit on a real account
- ·DevOps-first via developer background
- ·Platform engineering via SRE
Realistic expectations
What no recruiter will tell you.
That stacking certifications shortcuts the timeline. It doesn't. Operational time and a public portfolio are what compress the path.
10–18 months to first role is the realistic time to the first role on this route. Most people overshoot by 6–12 months. Plan for it; don't panic when it happens.