We get it, a career in cloud computing is desirable, right? It’s dynamic, engaging, and can be financially rewarding, but let’s get to one of the big questions everyone seems to ask: do you need to learn how to code to make it in a cloud computing career?

Cloud computing is one the fast-growing fields in tech, and with more and more companies turning to the cloud to store data, we’re not surprised. Whether you’re wondering if you need to code to kickstart your cloud career, or wondering what the requirements of this role are, we’ll give our thoughts in this article.

Requirements for Cloud Computing Professionals

If you’re serious about a career in cloud computing, it can be advantageous to get cloud certified. There are multiple providers out there that offer certifications, but the top three public cloud providers are Microsoft Azure, AWS (Amazon Web Services), and GCP (Google Cloud Platform) certifications.

You don’t need to know a single tag or line of code to start learning any of these systems. In fact, there are many certification programmes that teach you the fundamentals of these platforms without any emphasis on coding.

Many people start to learn AWS, Azure, and GCP through its user-friendly interface. They develop an understanding of its features, tools, and abilities without needing to type a line of code.

By learning how to create cloud infrastructure through a cloud platform, they don’t actually need to code anything themselves.

Cloud-based Careers for Non-coders

If even the thought of code makes you nervous, don’t worry. There are still careers in cloud computing you can pursue. Many professionals get certified, find a job, and decide to study programming afterwards.

You may find that after entering these careers, writing code begins to interest you. If you’re naturally inclined to learn more, you can learn to program alongside your work.

Cloud Networking Engineer Cloud engineers, or solution architects, build cloud infrastructure using a variety of tools. Resources like servers, loud balancers, and data storage devices are all part of their repertoire. Educational and skills training in IT may be very useful before you can successfully navigate the cloud landscape.

Cloud engineers also need a strong knowledge of operating systems, like Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. The solutions they build will vary by scale and platform, so understanding all the potential applications is helpful.

Additional IT skill specialities like security, connectivity, management, and recovery usually require formal training, but they don’t always use programming skills.

Cloud Architect The cloud architect knows the ins and outs of the cloud better than any other cloud professional. They’re specialists whom companies turn to for personalised cloud solutions. Their training can cover a variety of cloud services, including public and private cloud development, security monitoring, and project management.

To become a cloud architect without programming skills, you can pursue certification in Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). IaaS provides cloud computing solutions for public, private, and hybrid cloud users.

Cloud Sales Rep or Cloud Sales Specialist These are sales experts who don’t need to know any programming languages to work in tech. However, they must have extensive knowledge of the cloud, cloud computing solutions, and different cloud services.

The cloud sales rep provides customer service to various clients, answers questions, and guides them toward the right business solutions. They’ll likely specialise in one particular cloud platform and work for a company that uses their services.

While sales experience is a plus, what really matters is your understanding of cloud computing and software sales. This is a unique field that intercepts technology with retail. You’ll have to know the benefits, drawbacks, and unique applications of different cloud solutions to help your customers.

Earning a certification in cloud computing can help you build the technical background necessary for this role.

What certifications do you need to work in cloud computing?

There are various certification programmes available, including plenty right here on Knoma’s Marketplace. We partner with industry leaders to bring students quality education at an affordable price.

If you’re an aspiring cloud engineer or cloud architect, it’s worth considering which platform you’d like to first specialise in. Whether it’s AWS or Azure, it’s important to explore each platform to discover which one you’d enjoy working with the most.

There is no real right or wrong. Some engineers actually choose to study both to increase job opportunities. Having experience in the three major cloud service providers (AWS, Azure, and Google) can give you a cutting edge when you’re applying for jobs.

What programming languages do cloud engineers need?

While you may be able to get certification without coding, some languages are necessary in some roles. For example, organisations with private clouds may need experts with code knowledge to manage their infrastructure.

Although some changes can be made through a remote interface, you’ll likely need programming skills to develop and deploy personalised, private cloud solutions.

If you decide to get into cloud programming, you may want to consider learning languages like Python, Java, Ruby, and C++ or C#. You can start learning any of these languages online for free, even if you have no prior code experience.

Bear in mind that the exact languages you’ll use vary by job. This is why it’s worth considering signing up for a cloud computing course that aligns with your goals. That way, you're likely getting a robust curriculum that covers all the important skill sets employers look for.

Do you need code for AWS?

AWS is one of the most common cloud certifications. While there are some developer-related certificates that use code, the majority do not. There are 11 AWS certifications you can apply for, but only 3 require programming skills.

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (CSAA) are extremely popular and do not require coding. There are also certifications in advanced networking, machine learning, and security that are code-free.

Generally, any cloud-related job that focuses on development will require programming. Other positions generally do not. You can, for example, become a certified AWS architect without writing code. Architects, and even some engineers, do not necessarily need to be programmers.

How much do cloud computing jobs pay?

Salaries vary by experience, qualifications, and location. Someone with more certifications and skills may be offered a higher salary than someone else applying for the same role.

However, the pay for all cloud-based professionals in the UK is high, when compared to other industries. Take a look at the average cloud architect salary. According to Reed, a cloud architect in London typically makes £112,250. Jobs on the platform offer salaries ranging from £60,000 to £540,000.

Indeed reveals that out of 3.1k reported salaries, the average pay for a cloud engineer in the UK is £59,921 per year. Reed reports earnings slightly higher with a median income of £83,988.

Some entry-level positions pay around £42,000 to £55,000 annually. Although this may seem low compared to the average cloud-based role, you have to factor experience, qualifications, and background.

Some organisations may pay less because they are smaller overall. Their cloud-based needs may not be as demanding as a larger company. On the other hand, some entry-level workers may willingly take on lower-paying jobs to build their portfolios and CVs.

Myths and Facts About the Cloud Industry

There are a lot of misconceptions about the cloud, especially among non-tech professionals. Here are some of the most common myths — and some facts — about this industry.

Myth: Cloud Data Is Only for Non-critical Data This myth may stem from the fact many people’s personal cloud experience is with photos, music, and email. They might never consider that the health platform their doctor uses is also cloud-based.

In reality, cloud-based platforms are present in every industry. They power enterprises and even tools critical to modern business, like Zoom and Slack. Millions of people’s private information is stored, managed, and accessed remotely through a cloud server.

Fact: There Will Be 100 Zettabytes of Data in the Cloud by 2025 Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that there will be 200 zettabytes of data online by 2025, and 50% of it will be stored on the cloud. This outlines the ever-growing demand for cloud professionals.

Myth: You Can’t Have On-Premises Data With The Cloud A lot of organisations will avoid the cloud because they think it jeopardises their on-premises data. While some applications may never run on the cloud, this doesn’t mean a company’s entire data can’t benefit from cloud adoption.

Fact: The Cloud Gaming Market Is One of the Biggest Tech Industries Cloud-gaming platforms are reshaping the gaming industry. Xbox, Amazon Luna, and GeForce are all prime examples of how cloud-based gaming is redefining the way people access and play their favourite titles. By 2024, NewZoo estimates cloud gaming will quadruple its $1.6 billion USD net worth.

Ready to kickstart your Cloud journey?

Want to learn more about cloud computing? Start your journey in the Knoma Knowledge Marketplace. Simply search “cloud” and browse dozens of professional programmes.

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Choosing a career is a big decision, so it's important you research your options thoroughly before selecting a career or course. Knoma are a finance provider, not an educational provider so are not responsible for the content of individual courses.