AWS DevOps architect roadmap: Researching global salary expectations in 2024
An AWS Architect plays a pivotal role in designing and implementing scalable, reliable, cost-effective cloud solutions using Amazon Web Services (AWS). These specialists translate business needs and requirements into cloud architectures for host organizations and companies. Getting a career as an AWS architect can be a life-changing opportunity. However, the DevOps roadmap to becoming an architect can be time-consuming and costly. There are tons of things that you need to consider, especially if you want to switch careers. Let’s explore the AWS DevOps engineer roadmap and salary expectations in 2024.
AWS salary expectations in 2024
Before you consider a DevOps career path roadmap, you should have an idea of their salary and hourly rates. According to LinkedIn Pro-finder, the average hourly rate for AWS DevOps architects is:
Entry level
Entry-level AWS architects charge an average of $65/hour. The highest rate is $95/hour, while the lowest rate is $40/hour.
Intermediate and expert levels
Intermediate and expert AWS architects charge an average of $75/hour, with the lowest rate being $50/hour and the highest being $110 per hour.
You should note that AWS architect’s price charts are dependent on these factors: skill levels, location, remote/on-site, and many more. You can contact AWS experts in your location or online to ask how much they charge.
The skills needed to be an AWS DevOps expert
AWS services expertise
To be an AWS DevOps architect, you must have hands-on experience with many AWS services. These services include computing (EC2 and Lambda), database (DynamoDM and RDS, amongst others), and storage (s3, EBS, amongst others). You also need to master management tools like CloudWatch and Cloudformation. AWS service mastery is the fundamental knowledge in a DevOps path.
Cloud architecture design
As an AWS DevOps architect, you must be able to design and architect cloud solutions that are scalable, resilient, and cost-effective. To do this, you will need a rigorous understanding of best practices of architectural patterns and design principles.
Security and compliance
You must be able to implement security controls, encryption mechanisms, and compliance standards in AWS environments. To achieve this, you must be adept with Access Management (IAM), AWS Key Management Service, AWS Security Hub for securing cloud resources, and AWS Identity.
Automation and scripting
Proficiency in automation tools and scripting languages for infrastructure as code (IaC), such as AWS CloudFormation, Terraform, and AWS CLI. Ability to automate deployment, configuration, and management of AWS resources using infrastructure automation tools.
Networking and connectivity
An AWS expert should understand networking protocols like the TCP/IP, DNS, CDN, and VPN protocols. They should also be able to design and configure AWS VPC (Virtual Private Cloud), its subnets, network access control lists, and security groups.
Monitoring and performance optimization
An AWS expert should have experience with tools like CloudWatch and CloudTrail, including other monitoring and loading tools like AWS X-Ray. They should also be able to determine and monitor performance metrics, troubleshoot issues, find bugs, and fix all performance issues in the AWS environment.
DevOps practices
An AWS DevOps should be an expert in CI/CD practices like Jenkins, Git, Kubernetes, and Docker and use these tools to build and deploy cloud-native applications.
AWS DevOps engineer roadmap and responsibilities
Requirements gathering: Collaborate with stakeholders to gather business requirements and translate them into technical specifications and cloud architecture designs. To achieve this, you need good communication with your clients. You must set up a detailed expectation chart. Since most clients would not understand the technical specifications, you must be able to explain what they should expect in layman’s terms.
Cloud architecture design: Design and architect scalable, resilient, and cost-effective cloud solutions using AWS services and best practices.
Implementation and deployment: Implement and deploy cloud architectures, infrastructure, and applications in AWS environments, ensuring security, reliability, and performance.
Security and compliance: Ensure that deployment follows security protocols. Implement encryption mechanisms and security controls that parallel compliance standards.
Performance monitoring: Monitor performance metrics. Implement robust analytical systems to troubleshoot issues and execute efficient deployment.
Orchestration and automation: Use scripting language and infrastructure automation tools to orchestrate and automate deployment, configuration, and management. You cannot manually deploy all functionalities of AWS configuration; however, with automation and scripting, you can set parameters that execute specific actions if the parameters are met.
Documentation and training: Document the configurations and architectural processes. This ensures that a new architect can continue or edit your processes in your absence. You should also train stakeholders (your client or assigned people in the organization you worked for) on AWS best practices, operational procedures, and security.
Learning: Keep learning and stay updated with AWS services and best practices. You can also expand your knowledge beyond AWS architecture to enjoy employment possibilities in a broader market. Learning includes attending seminars and webinars, meeting with people, and joining AWS-dedicated community forums. The road map for DevOps engineering, like many other tech roadmaps, is never-ending. There is always room for continuous learning.
Conclusion
Becoming an AWS DevOps architect places you in a market with very high demand. And that makes roadmap DevOps worth it. However, you must put in the time and effort to master the process. This guide has taken you through the hoops of AWS architecture, including the tech stacks you need, like EC2, S3, CloudFormation, and Lambda, as well as other tools you must master. It’s important to improve yourself continually. Many technology experts have gone extinct because they could not keep up with the latest trends in their fields. AWS DevOps engineer roadmap is a long one, but in the end, it’s going to be a well-deserved victory.
Author: Gregory Swenson
Gregory is an experienced IT professional with a knack for solving complex tech challenges. With over a decade in software development and technology consulting, he shares his insights and expertise through articles to help others navigate the IT landscape.
