1. What is a Cloud Infrastructure Engineer？

Cloud infrastructure engineers are IT professionals who build, oversee, and maintain cloud infrastructure. With the popularization of cloud computing technology, enterprises' demand for maintenance of cloud computing infrastructure and cloud computing talents continues to increase.

2. What does a Cloud Infrastructure Engineer do?

The main responsibilities of a cloud infrastructure engineer include the following aspects: designing and integrating cloud applications; collaborating with the team to develop and maintain various applications on the cloud platform; upgrading existing cloud systems to improve operational efficiency and reduce data leakage and network security risks; promptly identifying and handling problems on the cloud platform; and providing necessary technical support to assist enterprises in achieving more innovative applications through cloud technology.

3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles

(1) Cloud Infrastructure Engineer Salary

According to data from the ZipRecruiter website on May 5, 2025, the average annual salary for cloud infrastructure engineers in the United States is $127,066, which is about $61.09 per hour. This is equivalent to $2,443 per week or $10,588 per month. The annual salary of cloud infrastructure engineers can be as high as $182,000 and as low as $46,500, but most cloud infrastructure engineers currently have an annual salary between $107,500 and $141,000, and the highest earners have an annual salary of up to $163,000 across the United States.

(2) Job Outlook of Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that cloud computing jobs will grow by about 15% from 2021 to 2031, significantly faster than the average growth rate of most industries. The main reasons for this rapid development include the increasing number of companies turning to the cloud and the continued demand for more efficient data storage, processing and analysis solutions.

(3) Similar Occupations

• Infrastructure Architect
• Solutions Architect
• DevOps Engineer
• Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
• Systems Administrator
• Cloud Network Engineer
• Cloud Security Engineer
• Cloud Consultant
• Cloud Developer

4. What Are the Qualifications to Become a Cloud Infrastructure Engineer?

(1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

Cloud engineers should have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or another related field with similar skills and internship experience. Some companies prefer a master's degree in science.

(2) Develop professional skills

Cloud engineers should have a wide range of technical capabilities, covering operating systems, programming, networks, security and other aspects. First, it is essential to be familiar with the Linux operating system, and engineers need to understand its server architecture and daily management and maintenance; have basic skills such as database management skills, including using cloud databases and mastering technologies such as MySQL and Hadoop.

Second, in terms of development capabilities, cloud engineers should have a solid programming foundation and be familiar with a variety of computer languages ​​​​such as SQL, Java, Python, Ruby, Golang, PHP and .NET. At the same time, it is also very important to understand network principles and virtual network configuration, especially when building and maintaining cloud infrastructure.

Furthermore, since modern cloud engineering is often closely linked to DevOps practices, DevOps concepts and practical experience should be possessed, especially in the AWS environment, which will enhance employment competitiveness. Understand the architectural differences and service details of major cloud service providers (such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.).

Finally, cloud engineers should understand Web services and API technologies, including open standards such as XML, SOAP, WSDL and UDDI, and have relevant knowledge of API design and integration.

(3) Earn Industry Certifications

When applying for infrastructure engineer positions, it is helpful to obtain certain certifications as they can help you develop the key skills and knowledge required for the position and make your resume more noticeable to employers.Some employers prefer to hire candidates with experience in sales or a related technical field, such as IT strategy.
CCIE Data Center certification demonstrates your advanced skills in planning, designing, deploying, operating, and optimizing complex data center networks. Boost your career as a technology consultant with the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Data Center certification.

5. Summarize

Cloud infrastructure engineers are IT professionals who build, oversee, and maintain cloud infrastructure. Cloud engineers should have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or another related field with similar skills and internship experience. Some companies prefer a master's degree in science.At the same time, it is also extremely important to have corresponding professional skills certification and practical experience, such as internship experience and CCIE Data Center certification.