AWS Solutions Architect Associate Salary: A Detailed Overview

Businesses want to move fast, scale easily, and not worry about hardware - AWS lets them do all that.

With the hype around AI and big data, companies need massive computing power that only cloud-based services can provide. It's not just tech companies, either—everyone from banks to retailers is jumping on board.

According to Gartner, the cloud will become a business necessity by 2028.

Gartner: Cloud in 2028

The problem is that not enough people know how to do this stuff well. This shortage has led to a significant gap in the market for skilled AWS solutions architects, making it one of the best times to build up your cloud skills, get certified, and start a career as a solutions architect.

In this guide, we explore the salary expectations for AWS solutions architects, some of the main factors that affect those salaries, and whether it’s worth it to get certified.

Check out our Introduction to AWS course to learn the basics of AWS and the core compute, storage, and database services.

What Does an AWS Solutions Architect Associate Do?

AWS solutions architects spend their days coming up with smart ways to use AWS to solve business problems. 

This includes designing systems that are reliable, secure, and can handle a large number of users without breaking a sweat. They also guide companies on the best ways to use AWS and keep up with the latest cloud tech.

These responsibilities require a combination of technical skills, business acumen, and strong communication abilities to design and implement AWS solutions that meet client needs effectively.

AWS Solutions Architect Associate Salary Overview

AWS solutions architects are among the highest-paid professionals in the cloud computing industry. Their salaries reflect the high demand for their skills and the value they bring to organizations implementing cloud solutions.

Entry-level AWS solutions architects typically start with competitive salaries, while those with several years of experience and advanced certifications can earn significantly more. Senior-level architects or those in leadership positions often see their compensation packages include substantial bonuses and stock options, especially in larger tech companies.

Salaries can vary quite a bit depending on the source. Here are the average salaries from some of the most popular websites:

Taking the average of these figures, the overall average salary for AWS solutions architects in the US is approximately $147k per year.

Remember, these figures represent averages and can fluctuate based on market conditions and individual circumstances. It's always a good idea to research salaries specific to your location and experience level when negotiating your pay for a job.

The two most significant factors affecting salaries for AWS solutions architects are experience level and location. Of course, many other factors could influence salary, such as qualification, industry, size of the company, whether bonuses and stock options are included, and so on.

AWS solutions architect associate salary by experience level

Based on user-reported Amazon salary data, we can understand how base salary ranges vary by experience level.

This progression shows that AWS solutions architects have strong earning potential, with salaries increasing substantially based on experience. It's a career path with excellent long-term prospects!

AWS solutions architect associate salary by geographic location

Geographic location can significantly impact salaries, even within the same country.

For example, here is a comparison of the average AWS solutions architect salaries between three US states: Washington, New York, and California.

There is over $20k difference between Washington and California alone, and these are the top-paying US states for solutions architects!

From an international perspective, US salaries tend to be higher due to the tech industry's competitiveness and the higher cost of living in tech hubs. 

Here, we compare the USA to Canada, the UK, and India. 

These are average salaries and can also vary widely based on experience, location within the country, and even company by company.

Skills and Certifications to Boost Salary as an AWS Solutions Architect Associate

A Global Knowledge report indicates that IT professionals with certifications can see salary increases of up to $12,000 per year. 

AWS certifications, in particular, are worth obtaining to launch your career as an AWS solutions architect associate, and we discuss them in this section. We also explore what additional skills can boost earning potential when paired with solid cloud skills.

AWS certifications

The AWS solutions architect associate certification validates and proves your skills to potential employers.

Obtaining this certification can also be a stepping stone to more advanced AWS certifications. It provides a solid foundation for pursuing higher-level certifications like the AWS solutions architect professional or other specialized AWS certifications.

Remember, while certifications are valuable, they’re most effective when combined with practical experience. The knowledge you gain through certification becomes even more powerful when applied to real-world projects and challenges.

Here’s a quick summary of some of the most useful AWS certifications for solutions architects. Check out our AWS certifications guide for a deep dive into these and more.

Project management skills

Project management skills complement the technical expertise of an AWS solutions architect, making you more versatile and valuable to employers.

Project management expertise combined with AWS technical skills creates a powerful combination. The ability to manage projects effectively can accelerate your career progression to senior or lead architect roles, which come with significantly higher salaries.

The PMP (project management professional) certification is recommended to prove your skills in this area. On average, jobs requiring these skills and this certification pay around $161k annually.

Moving into cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of cloud architecture. AWS solutions architects with strong security skills can better address essential security concerns, making them more valuable to employers and potentially justifying higher compensation.

Adding cybersecurity skills to your AWS toolkit can significantly enhance your market value and open new career opportunities. Cyber security engineers, for example, earn an average annual salary of $130k.

Talent: Cyber security engineer salary in the US

Cloud computing skills, including security, represent one of the most significant hard skills gaps in the cybersecurity industry. This scarcity can further increase salaries for those with the right skill set.

Is It Worth Getting AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certified?

Research conducted by AWS suggests that AWS training and certifications lead to greater earning potential and job security. 

Here are a few stats from their survey of around 1000 learners:

• 69% of respondents reported higher earnings from AWS training and 74% from AWS certifications.
• 82% of learners reported increased job security due to AWS training and 83% due to AWS certifications.

Furthermore, they found that learners who earned multiple certifications reported earning 24% more on average than those without.

AWS: Pay by role and number of AWS certifications attained

From the recruiter's and employer's perspective, particularly in larger organizations, having a certification on your resume is much more likely to get you noticed. More recruiters will be interested in looking at your resume, and hiring managers will be more willing to interview you.

While certifications do not guarantee that you'll get a job, they do open up more opportunities and increase the number of opportunities you will have to impress a recruiter or hiring manager.

AWS Solutions Architect Associate Career Outlook and Future Prospects

Recent trends suggest that over 75% of organizations will adopt big data, cloud computing, and AI in the next five years. This will open the door to new specialized roles within cloud architecture, potentially expanding job opportunities.

In addition, cloud computing skills represent one of the most significant hard skills gaps in the IT industry, indicating a shortage of qualified professionals and likely continued job growth.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032.

These overwhelmingly positive trends and AWS's continued dominance in the market suggest solid job growth prospects for solutions architects in the coming years.

Conclusion

AWS solutions architects are in high demand. As companies increasingly adopt cloud-based services and leverage AI and big data, the role of a skilled AWS solutions architect becomes even more relevant.

The significant salary potential makes this career path attractive. With the average salary for AWS solutions architects in the US around $147k per year and senior-level positions offering even higher compensation, investing in AWS skills and certifications can be highly rewarding.

AWS certifications validate your expertise, enhance job security, and open doors to advanced roles. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance, now is an excellent time to build your cloud skills.

To start your journey, enroll in our Introduction to AWS course to learn the basics and lay the foundation for a successful career in cloud computing. For more advanced learning, explore our guide to the Top AWS Projects.