Cloud Architect Salary in India: For Freshers & Experienced [2024]

Let’s begin with a few incredible cloud adoption stats. The public cloud service market is forecasted to reach a global valuation of $623.3 billion. More than half of enterprises spend over $1.2 million on cloud-related services every year. Cloud computing accounts for about 30% of the IT budgets of organizations worldwide.

More than 65% of organizations have already built a cloud center of excellence or a central cloud team. Most organizations use the services of about 5 different cloud service providers. There are a few more coming your way. The point of sharing these stats with you is to let you know how big cloud computing is. 

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What is a Cloud Architect?

Cloud architects are IT professionals who assist an organization in using Cloud technology for application deployment and several other use cases. They possess in-depth knowledge of both Cloud Computing and how they are used in various industries. They closely work with various stakeholders. They navigate the back-end technical side as well as the business side of the Cloud infrastructure.  The cloud architect salary is quite admirable considering the challenging responsibilities they fulfill.

Cloud architects have myriad opportunities because most businesses run at least partially on a Cloud environment. The Cloud computing demand continues to grow. Many businesses currently using the Cloud technology express that they would increase their budget. Cloud architects can be employed in various industries and offer admirable solution architect salary owing to the extensive adoption of Cloud computing technology.

Overview of responsibilities of Cloud Architects:

Cloud architects are important job positions in various industries. They are primarily responsible for managing the cloud environments. After designing, developing, and administering cloud infrastructure and assets, they develop and implement cloud computing strategies. Consequently, they help a business fulfill its goals.

Cloud architects should work closely with DevOps team members. The reason is they have to oversee strategic planning and technical tasks of developing, deploying, and migrating applications within an organization’s Cloud. Moreover, Cloud architects join forces with developers to ascertain that preliminary requisites of a build are fulfilled before moving on to design and project integration. Fulfilling these primary responsibilities can help these professionals advance their career graph with improved cloud architect salary.

Cloud architects are well-versed with the organization’s cloud infrastructure. Thus, they can help the IT security team by supervising cloud activity and addressing the bugs. Moreover, in-house cloud architects allow a company to retain ownership of its infrastructure instead of depending on Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). These exceptional skills add up to the solution architect salary.

Cloud Computing Trends

Gartner suggests the expected shift to the cloud by 2023 could increase the IT spending to over $1.3 trillion worldwide. This spending would also include the money spent on other aspects of IT. A piece published in Forbes suggested that over 70% of CFOs feel that cloud computing has been instrumental to the growth of their business in the recent past. The demand for cloud services has also risen quite significantly in recent years.

It was 18% higher in 2019 than in the previous year. Amazon Web Services or AWS is the preferred cloud service platform for organizations globally. More than 80% of businesses either already use or are thinking about switching to AWS as their cloud partner. 

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These stats clearly show that cloud services are already the preferred choice of organizations worldwide. And things are only going to improve in the time to come. So if you are considering making a career as a cloud architect, you should start your preparations right away. You won’t have to wait too long for jobs as cloud architects are already in demand.

What you need to do is right now is to acquire the right skills needed for this role, which we are going to discuss in some detail a little later in the blog. This is the best time to join an online course that is relevant to this role and make the most of the time available to you. Let us now talk about our primary topic of concern – cloud architect salary in India. 

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Cloud Architect Salary in India 

The average base salary of cloud architects in India is in the range of Rs 1,600,000 per annum. This could go up significantly based on several factors. The average base salary, in some cases, has been reported to reach Rs 2,400,000 per annum. Your experience as a cloud architect is possibly the most important out of all the other factors.

Your experience can land you a job in one of the top global companies as well, which can again be a great boost for salary. And working with a top firm comes with its additional perks and benefits as well. Your job location is another very important factor that can contribute to increasing your salary. The salary range for a cloud architect in India is between Rs 1,000,000 per annum and Rs 5,000,000 per annum. The variation is because of the factors we just discussed.

Let us now see a few common cloud architect salary trends in India before moving any further.

Though the highest salary that a cloud architect can expect to earn in India is Rs 5,000,000 per annum, only 1% of the total cloud architects in India are paid such a high salary. This could also be because salary in this range depends on your experience, and there won’t be enough candidates in the country that have such rich experience in the field.

However, about 10% of the total cloud architects working in this role have an average salary of around Rs 3,500,000 per annum. So it is quite evident that your salary grows as you gain more experience as a cloud architect.

Learn more: Cloud Engineer Salary in India

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Salary for Similar Job Titles 

Now we come to different cloud architect roles that can pay you a higher salary than others. However, your responsibilities would also be different in each of these roles. We already know what a cloud architect earns on an average. So let us move onto other related roles. A senior cloud architect makes around Rs 2,500,000 per annum in salary. A technical architect in cloud computing, on the other hand, earns around 2,400,000 per annum.

The salary of a cloud solution architect is a little lower than what a cloud architect earns on an average, and this could be because of fewer responsibilities. A cloud solution architect has an average salary of around Rs 1,900,000 per annum. A cloud associate architect is at the bottom of this pile and earns Rs 1,600,000 per annum.

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Cloud Architect Salary: Based on the Employer 

So what do top companies pay their cloud architects? Let’s talking about a couple of those companies! If you are employed as a cloud architect at Tata Consultancy Services, you will earn a median base salary of around 1,500,000 per annum. The minimum salary at TCS is around Rs 2,30,000 per annum, and the maximum can go up to Rs 3,800,000 per annum.

There are different factors at play that justify this difference. We have already talked about those factors earlier. Now the median base salary of a cloud architect at Accenture too is in the range of Rs 1,500,000 per annum. The minimum and maximum range are Rs 4,10,000 per annum to Rs 2,800,000 per annum. 

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Now let us see the difference in pay based on company size. If you are working as a cloud architect in a company with more than 10,000 employees, you will earn a compensation of around Rs 1,900,000 per annum. A company with an employee strength of 1000-10000 pays its cloud architects in the range of Rs 1,500,000 per annum.

While companies with 200-1000 employees and 1-200 employees pay Rs 1,100,000 per annum and Rs 6,10,000 per annum to their cloud architects. It is clearly evident from these figures that you have a better chance of earning more in a company that employs more people. In other words, the bigger the company, the better your chances of earning a higher salary. 

Cloud Architect Salary: Based on Qualifications 

So what qualifications are you required to have to make the cut, if you like? About half of the employees placed in different companies as cloud architects have a PostGraduate degree. About 49% of other cloud architects are graduates, and only 1% have a Ph.D. degree. Now let us see the salary of people with different educational qualifications.

If you are a graduate, you will be paid around Rs 1,500,000 per annum. A cloud architect with a PostGraduate degree is paid around Rs 1,900,000 per annum. If you have an MBA degree, your salary can go up to nearly Rs 2,000,000 per annum. So you can see that your educational qualifications indeed matter. 

But in addition to these education requirements, a dedicated course in cloud computing or cloud architecture is also quite common. Your PostGraduate and Graduate degrees are qualifications that you are expected to have to even considered for this position. However, if you want to be preferred over other candidates who are applying for the same position, you need to show your recruiters that you are different. 

A cloud computing course, whether online or classroom learning, could be the key differentiator when it comes to organizations choosing you over all the other candidates that have just a college PG or graduate degree. This short-term course will only focus on the aspects that you should know of and the situations that you must be prepared to handle as a cloud architect.

So if you are really serious about this career option, a dedicated cloud computing course can really help you. And if you are a working professional, an online course is just what you need to upskill yourself for a better career option without having to leave your current job.

Role of Cloud Architects in India

For various reasons, the demand for cloud architects is increasing, with handsome salary packages handed over to even freshers. Here’s a brief of their roles and responsibilities – 

Digital Transformation

As India is inching towards digital transformation, industries are dependent on cloud based solutions for artificial intelligence, data analytics and other emerging technologies. Cloud architects play an important role in implementing these strategies.

Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Adoption

A hybrid cloud is a kind of cloud technology that combines the features of a private cloud with a public cloud. It allows for the movement of data and applications between two cloud environments. 

Multi-cloud refers to the application of cloud computing services from more than one cloud service provider. 

Big Data and Analytics

 As big data plays an essential role in making key business decisions, Cloud Architects must develop scalable and high-performance cloud infrastructure to implement data-intensive applications.

Cloud Solution Architect Salary in India: Based on Industry

The industry you are employed in has a significant impact on your remuneration as a cloud solutions architect salary in India. Salaries differ from one industry to another. 

IT Services and Consulting

The salary in IT services is competitive and depends on qualifications, certifications, and experience. Cloud solutions architect salary in India (four to seventeen years of experience) can be anywhere from Rs 9,00,000 to Rs 40,00,000 with an average salary of Rs 25,30,000 per annum. Cloud architect salary in India for freshers amounts to Rs. 7,00,000 per annum.

Financial Services

Cloud solutions architect salary in the banking sector can be anywhere between Rs 36,00,000 to Rs 46,00,000 per annum with an average salary of Rs 2,38,385 per month.

Internet 

Cloud solution architect salary in India in the Internet sector is highly rewarding. The entry level cloud architect salary can be anywhere between Rs 11,00,0000 and Rs 50,00,000, with an average annual salary of Rs 29,80,000. 

Analytics and KPO

The minimum salary in this sector amounts to about Rs 11,00,000 and the maximum can culminate to Rs 50,00,000 with the average cloud architect salary per month being around Rs 26,60,000 per annum in this field. 

Azure Architect

The role of an Azure architect is to design and implement a cloud strategy in coordination with a cloud architect. An Azure architect is one who works independently with businesses and technical stakeholders to detect roadblocks and obstacles in the corporate world.

Some of the roles and responsibilities are defined as follows 

• They coordinate with clients to enable the successful implementation and stationing complex solutions. 
• Analyze systems and detect anomalies migrating to Azure cloud.
• Strong and comprehensive knowledge of firewalls, security, Redis cache, key vault etc.
• Developing Microsoft Azure solutions in adherence to project requirements and predefined criteria.
• Build and manage Azure cloud environment on behalf of clients.

Azure architect salary in India ranges from Rs 11,00,000 to Rs 41,80,000 with an average salary of Rs 24,30,000 per annum. 

Qualifications and skills needed for an Azure architect

An Azure architect must fulfill certain conditions. Here are some important skills and qualifications required for an Azure architect – 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or a related field. Some corporations and employers may give preference to candidates with a postgraduate degree. Master scripting languages and programming languages as part of your academic curriculum.
• Familiarize yourself with databases like MySQL.
• Gain hands-on experience working with cyber security. If your domain is cloud, you have to have a sound knowledge of cybersecurity policies.
• Don’t neglect soft skills as they are essential when you move up the corporate ladder.Master Java programming language.
• Have knowledge on using open source tools like Docker, Redis and OpenStack.
• Gain thorough knowledge on at least one operating system (Linux, Unix or Windows) and integrated development environments.
• Become proficient in working with networking elements like HTTP, routers, switches, IP addresses, LAN/WAN technology, Transfer Control Protocol/IP.
• Become skilled in cybersecurity. If you work in the cloud domain, it’s integral that you have a solid understanding of best cybersecurity practices.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution architect helps businesses and corporations in building and implementing cloud solutions using Amazon Web Services. They brainstorm with potential clients to understand their requirements and deliver an effective solution. AWS Solution architect keeps a watchful eye on the promised solutions and resolve defects that emerge.

An Amazon solutions architect will be involved in the technicalities, business decisions and workplace. AWS solution architects will hold key roles in cloud computing, networking and storage.

These are an overview of skills that should be possessed by AWS Solution Architect

Time Management

Projects in the IT industry are bound by tight deadlines. Excellent time management skills are required in management and execution of multiple projects.

Communication Abilities

Two way communication should be established between internal and external stakeholders as well as end users. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required while solving problems of the corporations while developing cutting edge technologies.

Leadership abilities and collaboration between teams

IT professionals need to work well with their team members as well as function with the members in other departments. When the entire unit works cohesively and in perfect coordination, projects can be successfully executed and implemented.

AWS architect salary in India ranges between Rs 2,80,000 to Rs 28,50,000 with an average salary of Rs 13,80,000 per annum.

Cloud Architect Salary: Based on Department

Engineering – Software & QA Department

Software quality assurance is a way to enforce quality in a software. Software Quality assurance works in parallel with that of software development. It focuses on improving the process of developing software. Cloud architect salary in India in Engineering-Software & QA sector  ranges between Rs 7,80,000 to 42,00,000 with an average salary of Rs 25,80,000 per annum.

Engineering – Hardware & Networks

Hardware & Networking requires planning whether you are developing a system or a network. Planning and design streamlines the functioning of a system. A computer devoid of hardware cannot function and without the help of networking cannot connect with other systems. Salary for cloud architect in Engineering – Hardware & Networks sector ranges between Rs. 5,70,000 to Rs 36,50,000 with an average annual salary of Rs 25,20,000 per annum.

Cloud Architect Salary: Based on Company Type

Conglomerate

Conglomeration takes place when one organization buys another organization and possibly other organizations after that. When a company acquires a stake or buys another company it’s called merger or an acquisition. A merger is considered to be between equivalent companies whereas acquisition takes place when one business buys the other. The salary for cloud architect ranges between Rs 13,00,000 to Rs 40,00,000 with an average annual salary of Rs. 27,80,000 per annum.

Cloud Architect Role: Common Trends 

1. What about the most common skills that companies ask from you as a cloud architect? This usually depends on the company you are working and the project you are working on. However, we do have a few stats to show you some skills that you definitely need to possess to do well in this field.

More than 25% of employees employed in this role have cloud computing skills, which only makes sense considering the global cloud computing market trends that we discussed earlier in the blog. Other skills include solution architecture with 14% of employees and VMWare with 15% of employees. 

2. Let us now see the age difference amongst employees working as cloud architects in different organizations. The average age of about 40% of cloud architects employed in different organizations across the country is 31-36 years. On the other hand, about 38% of employees working as cloud architects are aged 36-41 years.

So this accounts for nearly 80% of all cloud architects in India. What could be the reason for this? Why don’t we have too many candidates that are in their early 20s or even in their late 20s? There could be several reasons. The cloud boom in India has only happened quite recently. So there were not too many people who were aware of how popular the field is and how it could guarantee them a stable and high paying job. People have very recently started considering a career in the cloud very seriously.

This wasn’t the case about a decade or so ago. Another reason could be because of people making a career switch. There are many software engineers and people employed in other similar roles who have switched from their original careers to a career in the cloud, looking at the popularity, demand, and benefits that it offers. So more than 80% of total cloud architects in India falling in the 30+ age group could be because of this shift. 

3. There are only a few institutions that are known for producing top cloud computing talent across India. Let us take a look at a couple of these names. About 7% of cloud architects that are currently employed at different organizations have acquired their educations from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS).

The same goes for the online learning platform you should choose to take a course for more focused learning in this subject. It is about your career, so you can’t choose second-best, can you?

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4.Significant engineering experience is another common trend among Cloud architects. Its job descriptions depict a list of practical experience with the Cloud architectural decision-making skills. The engineering experience continues to be recorded as at least a desired characteristic, if not a severe requirement. This applies to several IT roles.

Although experience requirements always vary, you must be careful. You require some seasoning in the engineering domain or other architecture-focused positions to stay competitive. Typically, cloud architect roles aren’t aimed at early-career IT professionals. The Cloud Architect aspirants with less experience may search for Junior Cloud Engineer or Cloud Engineer positions, or conventional IT job positions like “System Administrator” that come with straightforward responsibilities for a cloud-based system.

5.Another common trend of the Cloud Architect role is they work with people, not just technology. This job role prioritizes professionals with experience in contemporary methodologies and cultures, like DevOps and Agile. Usually, Cloud architects don’t have organizations report to them; however, they must instil change all through the systems.

This trend reflects the strategic nature of present-day’s Cloud architects. These professionals are increasingly strategic, visible roles that connect or lead teams. Working with people is equally important as working with technology. This ability helps them grab a suitable job role with a praiseworthy cloud architect salary.

6.Programming expertise is another prominent trend in the Cloud Architect role. Employers typically choose Cloud architects with programming skills. This is one of the reasons why software engineering is a common path to Cloud architect roles. Cloud Architects must possess practical experience in scripting and how it could or should be used to run cloud systems. Kubernetes and YAML pairing is the best for the Cloud Architect role. A Cloud architect with excellent programming expertise can earn a great cloud architect salar

7.Knowledge of two or more cloud platforms is desirable by many employers. So, it has become a common trend for the Cloud Architect role. Many job openings related to Cloud architects need candidates with practical experience in at least one other platform apart from the core environment. The ability to seamlessly work on at least two or more platforms can help them earn a better solution architect salary.

Cloud Architect Skills

The basis of becoming a cloud architect is to have a good understanding of how cloud computing works. That’s the basic necessity. There are other technical areas that you will be required to excel in. 

You need working knowledge of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, Solaro, and Unix. The least requirement is to be good in at least one of these operating. If you have worked as an architect or administrator in the operating systems that we just mentioned, you will find the transition a lot easier. Basic understanding of programming or scripting languages is important. This is not a must-have skill but something that will certainly help. Other technical and soft skills as suggested by Gartner include

• Application architecture
• Integration architecture
• Outsourcing and internal hosting
• Security
• Automation and orchestration
• ITSM/ITOM
• Communication and collaboration
• Finance and legal experience
• Program leadership
• Vendor management

Also Read: What Are The Skills to Become a Cloud Engineer ??

How can Cloud architects improve their skills and earn better salaries?

Cloud architects should continually improve their skills to become more successful in their careers and earn better salaries. Let’s look at the following ways:

1. Gain some experience:

It is always advisable to gain some experience as a systems or network administrator, or other relevant roles that can improve your cloud computing knowledge. You can hone your hard skills by working as a technical contributor or technical expert before transitioning to Cloud architecture. You can even work in management for 1-2 years and earn a decent solution architect salary in India.

  2. Enrol in professional courses and become certified:

You can earn one of the relevant certifications and attain industry knowledge by collaborating with software or product vendors. Getting professionally certified showcases your cloud computing talents to potential employers. Moreover, it also shows your proactive nature for upskilling as a professional. You can choose certification courses focused on cloud architecture or specific cloud platforms.

   3. Earn higher degrees:

Another great way you can adopt to qualify for a well-paying job prospect is to get an advanced educational degree. It provides the necessary technical knowledge to become a specialized Cloud architect. For instance, earning a master’s degree in computer science or a relevant field allows you to learn and practice or test procedures or programming languages, depending on the specialization.

Tips Cloud Architecture can incorporate in the workplace:

Here are some effective tips on how to apply your skills as a cloud architect in the workplace. Following them help you to earn a decent solution architect salary in India.

• Actively listen to the client to discern their problems and derive Cloud solutions.
• Analyze all details pertaining to your projects. It helps decrease any vulnerabilities that security and authority may find.
• Lead your team in preparing proof-of-concept for using cloud infrastructure from concept to implementation.
• Evaluate costs and know how you may obey a budget and design cloud tactics for cloud adoption.

Conclusion

A cloud architect is one of those job roles that will remain in high demand for some time to come. With the cloud computing field expected to grow exponentially in the next few years, becoming a cloud architect is the best thing you can hope for your career right now. It’s not only a great opportunity to have a high-paying job but also to gain first-hand experience of working with new and exciting technologies.

Our course will teach you the basic and advanced concepts of cloud computing along with the applications of these concepts. You will learn from industry experts through videos, live lectures, and assignments. Moreover, you’ll get access to upGrad’s exclusive career preparation, resume feedback, and many other advantages. Be sure to check it out.