Cloud Administrator vs. Cloud Engineer: What Are the Differences?

The cloud computing industry is one of the fastest growing in the world. As more and more businesses move their data and applications to the cloud, the demand for qualified cloud administrators and engineers is skyrocketing.

If you’re considering a career in cloud computing, you may be wondering what the difference is between a cloud administrator and a cloud engineer. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast the two roles, and give you some tips on choosing the right path for you.

What is a Cloud Administrator?

A Cloud Administrator is responsible for the administration and management of an organization’s cloud computing services and infrastructure. They work with cloud architects and engineers to plan, deploy and operate cloud-based systems. Cloud Administrators also monitor cloud services to ensure they are performing optimally and troubleshoot any issues that arise. They also work with other IT staff to ensure that all systems are integrated and work together seamlessly. Cloud Administrators typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

What is a Cloud Engineer?

Cloud Engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the systems that power a company’s cloud computing infrastructure. They work closely with other engineering and technical teams to ensure that the infrastructure is able to meet the demands of the company’s applications and services. Cloud Engineers also automate the provisioning and management of cloud resources, and they monitor the performance of the infrastructure to identify and resolve issues. They also develop and implement policies and procedures for using the cloud infrastructure.

Cloud Administrator vs. Cloud Engineer

Here are the main differences between a cloud administrator and a cloud engineer.

Job Duties

The duties of a cloud administrator are more administrative in nature, while the duties of a cloud engineer are more technical. A cloud administrator’s primary responsibility is to maintain the infrastructure that supports the cloud environment. This includes tasks like setting up new users, monitoring performance and resolving issues with hardware or software.

A cloud engineer designs and builds the systems that make up the cloud environment. This can include writing the code for specific applications or creating detailed diagrams of how different systems interact with each other. They also monitor the performance of these systems after they’re built and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Job Requirements

Cloud administrators typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field. They might also pursue certifications to show employers that they have the skills needed to perform their job duties. Cloud engineers often need a similar educational background, although some employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in computer science or a related field. Additionally, cloud engineers might benefit from pursuing certifications in specific cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure.

Work Environment

Cloud administrators and cloud engineers work in different environments. Cloud administrators typically work in an office setting, where they can collaborate with other IT professionals to resolve issues that arise for their clients. They may also travel to client sites to help them troubleshoot problems or install new software.

Cloud engineers often work in a more dynamic environment, such as a data center, where they can monitor the performance of servers and ensure that there are no disruptions to the network. They may also work on-site at customer locations to assist with technical issues.

Skills

Both cloud administrators and cloud engineers need to have technical skills to perform their jobs. Cloud administrators typically need to know how to use cloud management tools, like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Azure, to deploy and manage cloud resources. They also need to be familiar with virtualization technologies, like VMware, that are used to create and manage virtual machines.

Cloud engineers need to have a strong understanding of cloud architecture and design principles. They use this knowledge to plan and implement cloud solutions that meet the needs of their organization. They also need to be familiar with a variety of programming languages, like Java, Python and Ruby, as they often write code to automate tasks related to cloud administration and management.

Both cloud administrators and cloud engineers benefit from having good problem-solving skills. This is because they often need to troubleshoot issues that arise with cloud resources. They also both need to have good communication skills so they can effectively collaborate with other members of their team, like developers and system administrators.

Salary

Cloud administrators earn an average salary of $79,256 per year, while cloud engineers earn an average salary of $116,372 per year. The average salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.