I am a recent graduate looking at entry-level cloud roles. I was wondering what salary can you expect after AWS certification if I only start with the Cloud Practitioner level? Is it better to skip this and go straight for the Solutions Architect Associate if my goal is to maximize my starting pay in the Digital Marketing or E-commerce sectors?
3 answers
For a fresh graduate, the Cloud Practitioner cert is a great way to show you understand the basics, but it rarely triggers a massive salary hike on its own. In early 2024, most entry-level roles with this cert pay around $70,000 to $85,000. If you want to maximize your starting offer, skipping to the Solutions Architect Associate is generally the better move. It carries way more weight with hiring managers who are looking for technical implementation skills rather than just general cloud literacy.
Would having the Cloud Practitioner cert help me get an internship that eventually leads to a higher full-time offer?
I started with the Practitioner cert and it helped me land a $75k junior dev role in e-commerce last year.
Kimberly's experience is very typical; it's a solid foundation that gets your foot in the door at many growing companies.
Larry, it definitely helps. An internship at a reputable firm can give you the hands-on experience that, combined with an Associate-level cert later, could push your starting salary toward $100,000. Think of the Cloud Practitioner as a stepping stone that makes your resume look professional and committed, which is exactly what recruiters want to see in a junior candidate.