It’s that time again! We just released the third edition our AWS salary survey. It’s our largest and most comprehensive yet.
The Jefferson Frank Salary Survey, which is based on more than 62,000 data points and the largest AWS salary survey worldwide, is
This year’s edition contains self-reported information from AWS professionals around the globe during the coronavirus epidemic. Respondents come from a variety of industries and have diverse professional and personal backgrounds.
Let’s take a look and discuss some of the key findings.
Certifications and professional growth Despite economic uncertainty and a volatile jobs market, one of our most striking findings is the importance that the cloud ecosystem places upon certifications and professional learning.
When asked about the importance of vendor certifications in finding cloud jobs, 77% said that certifications would help them stand out in the market.
This widely held belief is why a majority of AWS professionals have a certification or are working towards it.
61% of respondents stated that they have earned at least one AWS certificate; another 13% are studying to earn their first.
Many cloud professionals have taken advantage of the challenges presented by the global health crisis to improve their skills. A third of respondents said they used their time in lockdown or furlough to further their professional development and obtain more certifications.
Market value as an AWS professional
Employers recognize the value of certifications for AWS professionals.
Over a third of employers offered certified employees a pay increase, while 62% of respondents said that their employer contributed to the cost of their certifications. Half of those who were certified stated that their employer paid full certification costs.
Respondents were also asked to choose which AWS certification would most increase your earning potential. The clear winner was the AWS Solutions Architect Professional (Professional) certification with 67% of votes.
Participants agree that certifications are not the most important factor in determining your market value as an AWS professional.
83% of professionals cited exposure to large cloud projects as the factor that has the greatest impact on their earning power.
Experience in the IT industry and AWS experience were cited as crucial by 80% and 77% respectively.
This finding clearly shows that certifications are not sufficient to replace hands-on involvement in AWS.
Cloud skills are in high demand. Customers who have used AWS to migrate and then implement cloud services have indicated that they lack the necessary skills.
The report highlights the need to hire more cloud professionals to fill the skills gaps and the opportunities presented by the growing ecosystem. This is especially true when many companies are shifting their infrastructure online in order to adapt to a digital world.
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The Jefferson Frank Salary Survey offers unique insight into Amazon Web Services. To get your PDF report for free, complete the form below.