Main image of article How to Become an AWS Developer

If you’re interested in working in the technology industry, you’ve no doubt heard of Amazon Web Services (AWS), which is critical to many organizations’ functioning. What do you need to know about developing for AWS, and what are the best steps to take if you want to become an AWS developer?

The answers to those questions are complex, but fortunately there are numerous starting points for anyone’s AWS journey. Read on!

What does an AWS developer do?

In simplest terms, an AWS developer implements and maintains an organization’s apps and services that rely on AWS. In addition to working with AWS tools and workflows, they’ll frequently rely on other cloud-based programming languages, tools, and platforms, including containers/Kubernetes, Python, Java, microservices, and much more.

Depending on the company’s cloud journey, an AWS developer might also be tasked with porting on-premises infrastructure and data to the AWS cloud. Developing and maintaining cloud architecture also necessitates a developer think constantly about cybersecurity, app development, compliance, optimizing both internal workflows and app performance, and system monitoring.

Why should you become an AWS developer?

AWS currently dominates the market for cloud-based compute and storage. Many thousands of companies rely upon AWS to keep their websites, apps, and services running. If you want to work for a company that relies on the cloud, chances are good it’s an “AWS shop,” meaning you’ll need to know what the platform can do.

Over the past decade, AWS has greatly expanded its tools and services, from analytics and machine learning to compliance and database. That means AWS developers who know their stuff are increasingly prized by organizations, which can translate into high salaries and job security.

What skills do AWS developers need to learn?

AWS is huge… and seems to expand on a weekly basis. If you’re totally new to the platform, it might seem overwhelming at first. What do you need to learn about AWS SQL database options? How about AWS compute, including EC2 and Elastic Beanstalk?

Fortunately, Amazon has anticipated your questions, and has built out a Training and Certification hub designed to meet your specific needs as a developer. There’s a cluster of free learning content on the site, including:

Those are paired with a number of free “learning plans” designed to provide structured guidance (you’ll need to enroll, first):

Amazon also has individual and team subscription plans that unlock more content, including “Builder Labs,” exam prep courses, and more. This content is useful because it’s tailored to individual career tracks and learning journeys, allowing you to master the specific tools and techniques you’ll need for certain tech jobs. (For those who enjoy their training with a bit of gamification, check out AWS Industry Quest, which allows you to “build” AWS solutions for a virtual company.)

For a bit more on AWS training opportunities, check out this episode of “Tech Connects” with Kevin Kelly, Director of Cloud Career Training Programs at AWS. Those programs include AWS Academy and AWS re/Start, which pair with educational institutions and nonprofits to help students launch their cloud careers; AWS re/Start is a part of Amazon’s commitment to provide 29 million people around the world with access to free cloud computing skills training by 2025:

As Kelly explains during the podcast, anyone who wants to master AWS (and the cloud as a whole) must become familiar with five core concepts:

  • Compute
  • Storage
  • Network
  • Database
  • Security

Learning those fundamentals can help you not only with AWS, but other cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. You don’t need to rely solely on Amazon for your AWS educational path; as you can see from this Coursera breakdown, there are other learning modules online that will quickly get you up to speed on AWS tools and skills.

Do I need to earn certifications to become an AWS developer?

There are currently 13 AWS certifications on offer, from foundational certifications in AWS cloud to highly specialized ones in data analytics and machine learning. While it’s not necessary to earn certifications to land an AWS job, having at least one of them on your resume can help you stand out in a crowded field of applicants. Here’s a handy chart you can use:

Amazon is adding new certifications all the time; for example, the AWS Data Engineer (Associate) certificate is new and in beta. It’s designed to test your knowledge in data-related AWS services, implementing data pipelines, and troubleshooting data-related issues.

Your career path will necessarily dictate the certification paths you pursue; if you’re an AWS developer who specializes in machine learning or cybersecurity, for instance, you’ll want to look at the company’s Specialty certifications. Here’s how the above categories break down:

  • Foundational: This certification represents “foundational understanding of AWS Cloud, in Amazon’s words, and doesn’t require prior experience to earn.
  • Associate: These certifications “showcase your knowledge and skills on AWS and build your credibility as an AWS Cloud professional,” according to Amazon. There are three subcategories of Associate certifications: Architect, Operations, and Developer. Prior experience with the cloud and/or on-premises IT is “recommended.”
  • Professional: These certifications “validate advanced skills and knowledge required to design secure, optimized, and modernized applications and to automate processes on AWS” (Amazon, again). As you can see in the above chart, Professional certifications break down into two categories: Architect and DevOps. In other words, get ready to know everything about databases in an AWS context.
  • Specialty: These AWS certifications cover specific areas such as Alexa, machine learning, and data analytics. “Dive deeper and position yourself as a trusted advisor to your stakeholders and/or customers in these strategic areas” is how Amazon frames the benefits of these certifications. Required experience varies between specialties.

While Amazon’s certification pathways are complex, it’s always a good idea to start with AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, which helps beginners cover a lot of valuable material. As you build your experience with AWS, you can then consider the more advanced certifications that demand a combination of skills and experience.

“If your background is more data-oriented, then one of the database, data analytics or machine learning paths may be your better options,” Mike Saccotelli, director of solution development at SPR Consulting, recently told Dice. “If you have more of a background in operational aspects of your organization, then the SysOps Administrator or DevOps Engineer is probably a good place to start.”

How do I interview for an AWS developer job?

Interviewing for any AWS developer job is going to involve answering questions about your technical skills, your grasp of higher-level concepts such as DevOps and systems architecture, and your ability to work within teams. You’ll likely have to answer questions about specific AWS features, especially if the prospective employer is planning on building out its current AWS footprint.

For more junior-level positions, a hiring manager might ask questions that determine your knowledge of the basics. For instance:

  • “Tell me about how you’d use AWS compute tools to solve [X problem].”
  • “How would you use AWS to rapidly scale resource capacity in response to demand?”
  • “How would you perform any necessary updates or upgrades when we can’t have any downtime?”

If you’re applying for more advanced roles, you might be asked about your previous experience with AWS, such as:

  • “Describe how you’ve implemented best cybersecurity practices within an AWS context.”
  • “Tell us how you’d migrate our on-premises servers and infrastructure to AWS in a safe, secure way.”

The interview questions could vary wildly by company, and will almost certainly involve a battery of technical questions specific to a company’s needs. Check out Blind (which anonymously surveys tech professionals on a range of issues) for an idea of technical questions you might face during an AWS interview; Leetcode is also a helpful resource if you want a refresher on basic technical questions and how to answer them.

Also, stay aware that the interviewer is just as interested in your ability to work with a team as your technical skills, so come prepared with stories that show how you’ve worked with others to overcome challenges and achieve desirable project outcomes.

How much do AWS developer jobs pay?

A recent edition of Stack Overflow’s annual Developer Survey asked its respondents which technologies paid them the most. AWS made near the top of the list, with an average salary of $81,387, notably ahead of Azure ($74,651) and Google Cloud ($73,140). That speaks to incredible demand for AWS-related skills, as well as the primacy of the cloud overall.

If you gain specializations and experience, that salary can climb much higher. Remember that the average tech salary now stands at $111,348, according to the latest version of the Dice Tech Salary Report. A skilled cloud practitioner can easily earn far more than that, especially if they’re overseeing a team. Keep in mind that promotions and salary bumps depend not only on technical mastery, but also your “soft skills” such as communication and empathy, which are essential for running teams and organizations.