The cloud isn’t just transforming business operations...it’s reshaping the entire IT landscape.
As we explored in the pillar blog, IT Support: Your Secret Weapon for Business Growth, the role of IT has expanded far beyond fixing devices and maintaining servers. Today’s cloud-first environments demand skills in identity management, automation, security frameworks, and multi-platform infrastructure; capabilities most SMB teams don’t have the time or resources to build internally.
That’s why IT professionals and businesses alike face a critical choice: develop a cloud-focused career trajectory or partner with experts who already live and breathe cloud transformation. An experienced MSP can bridge both paths. For individuals, the cloud opens opportunities for rapid advancement and higher-value roles. For SMBs, a cloud-savvy MSP delivers the expertise, strategy, and ongoing support needed to modernize without overwhelming internal teams.
Cloud transformation isn’t just a technical upgrade...it’s a new operational model. And whether you’re growing your cloud career or guiding your business through modernization, having the right partner makes the journey smoother, faster, and far more successful.
The statistics paint a compelling picture: the global cloud-computing market was estimated at about US $752.4 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach nearly US $2.39 trillion by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate of roughly 20.4%. For IT support specialists, this isn't just market data...it's a career forecast.
Traditional IT support focused on hardware, software installs, and on-premises server upkeep. In a cloud-first environment, you’re managing virtual infrastructure across multiple platforms, and that shift doesn’t lessen your role; it amplifies it.
This shift doesn't diminish the importance of IT support...it amplifies it. Organizations migrating to cloud platforms need specialists who understand both traditional IT foundations and modern cloud architectures. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20% growth for computer and information research scientists (the category encompassing cloud computing roles) from 2024 to 2034, nearly four times faster than the average occupation.
Your troubleshooting skills translate perfectly into cloud environments. As a Cloud Support Engineer, you’ll support cloud-based applications and services (AWS, Azure, GCP). Current U.S. averages are around $130,000 per year, significantly higher than many traditional support roles.
Required skills include cloud platform knowledge, operating systems expertise, networking concepts, and scripting languages like Python or PowerShell. Your existing troubleshooting abilities become the foundation for more complex cloud-based problem-solving.
This role represents the natural evolution of systems administration in the cloud. You'll configure, deploy, and manage cloud-based infrastructure while ensuring security, reliability, and scalability. National averages for this role range from $115,000 to $130,000 per year, with opportunities for growth beyond that.
Here’s what the progression looks like today, based on current U.S. market data:
The cloud ecosystem offers numerous specialization opportunities:
Cloud Security Analyst: With organizations pushing cloud adoption and security automation, cloud-security roles often start around $100K+, with senior positions reaching $150K+ depending on specialization and certifications.
DevOps Engineer: DevOps Engineer / Cloud Engineer: Focused on automation, CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, these roles often report averages in the $120K–$160K+ range, with senior roles higher. For example, one data point lists ~$129,000 for Cloud Engineers.
Cloud Architect: The top-tier role designing full cloud strategies and implementations. Compensation commonly ranges $140K+, often climbing into the $170K–$200K range for senior architects at large firms or specialized industries.
Mastery of at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform) is non-negotiable. Start with one platform and build deep expertise before expanding to others. Each platform offers free tier access and extensive learning resources.
Tools like Terraform and CloudFormation allow you to manage infrastructure through code rather than relying on manual processes. This shift from clicking through interfaces to writing configuration files represents a fundamental change in how IT infrastructure is managed.
Python, PowerShell, and Bash scripting become essential tools for automating routine tasks and efficiently managing cloud resources. Your problem-solving mindset adapts perfectly to writing scripts that prevent problems before they occur.
Cloud security differs significantly from traditional on-premise security. Understanding identity and access management (IAM), encryption, key management, and compliance frameworks becomes crucial for career advancement.
The financial incentives for moving into cloud roles are compelling. Traditional IT support specialists in the U.S. earn median salaries in the ~$60,000-$70,000 range. Cloud-focused roles, however, often start well above six figures and accelerate quickly.
Experience-Based Progression:
These figures represent more than salary increases. They reflect how much more value you bring to organizations that are migrating workloads, automating infrastructure, and embracing cloud-native operations.
Navigating a cloud transition alone can feel overwhelming, and most businesses don’t want to do it themselves. Their priority is running and growing the business, rather than becoming experts in cloud platforms, migration strategies, or infrastructure training. That’s where the right partner makes all the difference.
At CNWR, we’ve supported IT professionals and organizations through every stage of cloud adoption, providing the mentorship and real-world guidance that internal teams often don’t have the time, or desire, to build in-house. Our experts bring hands-on experience from years of successful cloud projects, helping you strengthen your skills, avoid missteps, and turn your traditional IT background into a powerful cloud-first competency.
For SMBs, partnering with CNWR means gaining a trusted cloud guide; one who aligns technology decisions with business goals, ensures smooth migrations, strengthens your infrastructure, and supports your team every step of the way. You don’t need to become a cloud expert to move your business forward. You just need the right partner by your side.
Ready to accelerate your cloud transformation? Contact CNWR today and let our team help you build a smarter, more scalable cloud strategy...one that supports your business goals and elevates your IT future.