With so many exciting opportunities available within the Microsoft Cloud ecosystem, how can you know which path is right for you? Check out our breakdown of the core roles in Microsoft Cloud, from salaries and progression opportunities to technical requirements, and more!
Ever since businesses went remote practically overnight in 2020, it has been clear to everyone that cloud computing is here to stay.
As a household name in tech for many decades, it’s no surprise that Microsoft has rapidly become one of the main players in the cloud. And with so many businesses using Microsoft, there’s a ton of fantastic career options for those with the right skills and training.
To help you choose the right Microsoft career path for you, we’ve broken down the core roles across Microsoft Azure and Dynamics 365, including salaries, progression opportunities, and technical requirements for candidates.
First of all – why choose a career in the Microsoft Cloud?
1. Microsoft cloud professionals earn some of the highest salaries in tech
The popularity of Microsoft Cloud has led to a huge growth in demand for qualified professionals, meaning that those with the right skills can earn big, in just a few years. For instance, a Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer can earn up to $189,300 in the US—and that’s just one of the many well-paying roles that companies are looking to fill.
2. Microsoft is surprisingly easy to learn
If you have experience with common developer tools such as GitHub or Hadoop, Microsoft will feel surprisingly familiar when you first start out. The tools available through Microsoft are built in a way that’s easy to get to grips with and master—if you put in the time and effort! Plus, it’s a fantastic ecosystem and you’ll often hear of experienced veterans creating content that helps newcomers to get started in Microsoft. Here’s a list of the best free tools to help you get started.
3. Flexibility and fantastic progression opportunities
Because of the wide range of careers available through the Microsoft Cloud, you’ll always have the option to choose a career path that suits your personal requirements. Interested in joining a new sector? There are a number of Microsoft certifications out there to help you get into banking, finance, insurance, healthcare, and more!
Want to pursue a new role in the Microsoft ecosystem? Follow the correct certification path and you’ll be a sure-fire hit with recruiters for that role.
With that out of the way, let’s get started with one of Microsoft’s most recent and popular entries in the cloud market – Microsoft Azure.
What is Microsoft Azure?
Since its launch in 2008, Microsoft Azure has grown to become a multi-billion-dollar business offering hundreds of different services to millions of customers worldwide. So, what is it?
Azure is Microsoft’s stab at a top-of-the-line public cloud computing platform. It offers a range of cloud services to large and small organizations, including compute, analytics, storage and networking. Businesses and users can pick and choose from these services to develop and scale new applications, or run existing ones in the public cloud.
What is an Azure Cloud Developer and what do they do?
A Microsoft Azure Cloud Developer (or Azure Developer, for short) is someone who designs and builds cloud-based applications, products, and services through Microsoft Azure.
They’re responsible for writing code, conducting tests, and resolving technical issues in the most effective way possible—which usually means ‘in line with best practice.’ They build and maintain incredible solutions in the cloud and are responsible for ensuring proper technical documentation within their organization.
They can also perform unit or integration testing, assist in deployment of complex software projects, and help other teams within an organization with any software-related problems.
Azure Developer Salary Breakdown
| Junior (0-3 Years) | Mid (4-7 Years) | Senior (8+ Years) | |
| US | $117,700 | $153,600 | $179,200 |
| UK | £30,900 | £61,900 | £77,400 |
| AUS | $92,200 | $123,000 | $133,200 |
Please note: There can be some differences between individual salaries due to factors such as job location, cost of living in that area, experience, skills required, and role complexity.
To unlock your potential and command salaries like these, it all begins with incredible Microsoft training and work placements.
Azure Developer Technical Requirements
An Azure Developer is a coding ‘Jack of all trades’ when they need to be. As a result, the requirements list to land a job as an Azure Developer can be quite intimidating. While it can change depending on the organization and their requirements, typically Azure Developers will need to meet at least some of the following criteria:
- An in-depth knowledge Microsoft Azure and its framework, including Azure SQL, scalable cloud storage, servers, web apps, service fabric, and IoT hubs
- Strong knowledge of the .NET framework
- A good working knowledge of any of the following programming languages—Java, C#, C++, HTML, CSS, or JavaScript
- Some experience of object-oriented programming, and DevOps methodologies
- Understanding of the basics of web API creation, how to use consumption, and how to integrate using service-oriented architecture
How long does it take to become a Microsoft Azure Cloud Developer?
If you already meet some of the criteria above, or have a background in software development, you can train to become an Azure Developer in just a matter of weeks!
Once you’ve got the certifications, however, you’ll also need to show you can ‘walk the walk’ when it comes to developing solutions through Microsoft Azure. The best way to do that (and to stand out in the Azure hiring crowd) is to have demonstratable experience working as a Cloud Developer in one or more organizations.
If you’re interested in becoming a Cloud Developer, Revolent offers a fully-funded two-year career program, which includes funded industry certifications, and paid work experience with top-tier tech companies. Learn more about our Microsoft career program here.
What is an Azure Cloud Engineer and what do they do?
Let’s move on to another hugely popular role in Azure–the Microsoft Cloud Engineer. This role is the perfect blend of technical know-how and people skills, making Cloud Engineers a valuable asset to any organization seeking digital transformation through Azure.
Cloud Engineers take the lead on developing cloud solutions for organizations. They’re typically leaders with strong communication skills, who serve as a point of contact for the delivery of Azure infrastructure, as well as the design and implementation of workable solutions.
They can work with key stakeholders to identify viable cloud adoption opportunities, liaise between teams to understand requirements, while creating and maintaining training documents–and often delivering training to other employees.
Microsoft Azure Cloud Engineer Salary Breakdown
With their blend of technical knowledge, business acumen, and communication skills, Azure Cloud Engineers can transform a business’s digital infrastructure to the best outcome. Naturally, that means they can also earn a fantastic salary while doing it.
The salary expectations for an Azure Cloud Engineer, according to Nigel Frank’s latest Microsoft Careers and Hiring Guide, are as follows:
| Junior (0-3 Years) | Mid (4-7 Years) | Senior (8+ Years) | |
| US | $107,500 | $138,300 | $158,800 |
| UK | £43,400 | £67,200 | £82,700 |
| AUS | $81,300 | $110,700 | $122,300 |
Please note: There can be some differences between individual salaries due to factors such as job location, cost of living in that area, experience, skills required, and role complexity.
To unlock your potential and command salaries like these, it all begins with incredible Microsoft training and work placements.
Azure Cloud Engineer Technical Requirements
From a technical standpoint, Cloud Engineers need to be deeply familiar with the wider Azure ecosystem, in order to identify and lead on the adoption of new cloud technologies.
Beyond this, to become a fully-fledged Azure Cloud Engineer, you’ll typically need to meet at least some of the following criteria:
- Practical experience implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Microsoft Azure solutions
- Some experience scripting in PowerShell/AZ CLI
- Experience with tools and techniques to efficiently analyze data and create accurate management reports
- Experience of Agile SCRUM, DevOps, and other developer methodologies
- Good analytical skills, a methodical approach to workload, and attention to detail
How long does it take to become an Azure Cloud Engineer?
If you meet some of the criteria above or you have a background in functional or technical cloud consulting, you’ll be pleased to know that you can train to become an Azure Cloud Engineer in less than three months!
Beyond being industry-certified as an Azure Cloud Engineer, you’ll also need to demonstrate that you have experience in delivering cloud solutions for organizations, otherwise you may struggle to stand out in the hiring crowd.
Fortunately, Revolent offers a range of Microsoft careers programs that pay people as they train to become Microsoft-certified and then provide them with paid work placement opportunities with some incredible companies.
If you’d like to become an Azure Cloud Engineer, learn more about our Microsoft careers program here.
What is an Azure Architect and what do they do?
For our final Azure role, we’re looking at Cloud Architects. Azure Cloud Architects (better known simply as ‘Architects’) are some of the most in-demand professionals in the Microsoft cloud ecosystem, and their salaries reflect that.
Azure Architects are professionals who build and manage software solutions through Azure. They understand every single aspect of the Microsoft software lifecycle and are familiar with all roles within a team for each project. Typically, they also have some management experience, as they often lead digital transformation projects.
A good Azure Architect is deeply familiar with virtualization, networking, storage, identity, security, recovery, data management, processing, governance, and more. They’re also highly proficient in Azure admin, testing, and DevOps methodologies.
Azure Architect Salary Breakdown
As senior-level Azure professionals, who often lead on digital transformation projects, Architects can command some of the highest salaries that the Microsoft Azure ecosystem has to offer. According to Nigel Frank’s latest Careers and Hiring Guide, an Azure Architect can expect to earn the following:
| Junior (0-3 Years) | Mid (4-7 Years) | Senior (8+ Years) | |
| US | $122,900 | $153,700 | $184,500 |
| UK | £67,300 | £77,700 | £98,400 |
| AUS | $121,600 | $143,500 | $164,400 |
Please note: There can be some differences between individual salaries due to factors such as job location, cost of living in that area, experience, skills required, and role complexity.
To unlock your potential and command salaries like these, it all beings with incredible Microsoft training and work placements.
Azure Cloud Engineer Technical Requirements
As an organization’s Cloud Architect, you’ll need an expert understanding of Azure computing systems, and experience with designing, building, and deploying or transferring applications to the cloud.
You’ll also need fantastic communication skills and the ability to liaise between core members of staff to get new digital transformation projects off the ground.
Beyond this, to become a Cloud Architect, you’ll need to meet at least some of the following criteria:
- Demonstratable experience leading on the delivery of platforms underpinning large scale cloud transformation (for example, migration to cloud environments, modernization of core applications, or deployment of web-based applications)
- Strong working knowledge of DevOps, CI/CD, and SCRUM methodologies
- Experience with the design and development of Docker, and of Kubernetes contain orchestration
- A strong understanding of security controls and how to implement them in the cloud
- Demonstratable experience designing and implementing cloud native applications in Azure
- Fantastic communication and documentation skills
- The ability to articulate solution architecture and provide clear roadmaps for key stakeholders
How long does it take to become an Azure Cloud Architect?
If you meet some of the criteria above or have a background in functional or technical cloud consulting, you’ll be pleased to know you can train to become an Azure Cloud Architect in less than three months!
Beyond being industry-certified as an Azure Cloud Engineer, you’ll also need to demonstrate that you have experience delivering cloud solutions for organizations, otherwise you may struggle to stand out in the hiring crowd.
Fortunately, Revolent offers some fantastic Microsoft career programs that pay applicants as they train to become Microsoft-certified, and then provide them with paid work placement opportunities with some incredible companies.
If you’d like to become an Azure Cloud Architect, learn more about our Microsoft career programs here.
Now we’ve looked through the core roles in Azure, it’s time to take a look at Microsoft’s flagship cloud-based platform, the business management suite known as Microsoft Dynamics 365.
What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 and what does it do?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cutting-edge suite of intelligent business apps that empowers organizations to engage with their customers, build better relationships, grow their business, and optimize their existing operations.
Organizations using Dynamics 365 have a range of tools at their disposal, allowing them to conduct more intelligent marketing, adapt to new cloud solutions more quickly, provide pro-active customer service, and improve existing cloud solutions. They can do this in three ways:
- Using modular, pre-coded applications to easily connect Dynamics 365 apps with existing systems and tools, to extend their current capability
- Connect existing solutions end to end, to accelerate business growth optimize operations, or improve customer engagement
- Build and improve solutions in days, instead of weeks
- And, so much more!
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is used by the likes of Coca-Cola, HP, BMW, Chevron, and plenty of other big-hitters across a range of industries.
Of course, with such a strong offering to organizations, it stands to reason that the demand for Dynamics 365 professionals has skyrocketed in recent years. This, in turn, has created many fantastic opportunities for people to train into exciting roles like Dynamics 365 Cloud Developer, Cloud Architect, and Administrator.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the first core role in Dynamics 365—Cloud Developer.
What is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Cloud Developer and what do they do?
Like their Azure brethren, Dynamics 365 Developers are responsible for the design and creation of end-to-end cloud solutions through Dynamics 365.
They help to develop, test, and implement solutions that allow teams to make efficient, well-informed decisions that can boost company performance. Solutions created by Dynamics 365 Developers typically feature business applications that cover processes such as retail, manufacturing, supply chains, and finance.
They do this by developing, validating, and executing new code solutions based on business requirements, providing technical guidance throughout their organization, and collaborating with other team members for requirements and testing— among other things.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Developer Salary Breakdown
The role of Dynamics 365 Developer is highly sought-after. And, according to our good friend the Nigel Frank Career and Hiring Guide, they can command salaries such as those outlined below:
| Junior (0-3 Years) | Mid (4-7 Years) | Senior (8+ Years) | |
| US | $91,400 | $122,100 | $151,925 |
| UK | £41,200 | £54,600 | £71,100 |
| AUS | $91,400 | $123,600 | $150,400 |
Please note: There can be some differences between individual salaries due to factors such as job location, cost of living in that area, experience, skills required, and role complexity.
To unlock your potential and command salaries like these, it all beings with incredible Microsoft training and work placements.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Developer Technical Requirements
To work as a fully-fledged Dynamics 365 Developer, you will need to have at least some of the following skills:
- A sound working knowledge of using X++ solutions in Dynamics 365
- Demonstratable experience with data visualization tools, such as Power BI
- Fantastic communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and departments
- Experience working in Agile or SCRUM environments
Of course, beyond your technical skills, your ‘soft skills’ (or consultancy skills, as we call them) are just as important to becoming a great Dynamics 365 Developer. So, make sure that you’re comfortable communicating, working as part of a team, and collaborating with stakeholders—because you’ll be doing just that!
How long can it take to become a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Cloud Developer?
If you already meet some of the criteria above, or have a background in tech or coding, you could actually train to become a Dynamics 365 Developer in just a few weeks!
To do it on your own, you’ll need multiple industry certifications and demonstrable experience working with businesses or organizations that use Dynamics 365 in action, which can take years to acquire.
If you’re interested in becoming a Cloud Developer a little quicker (and easier) than that, Revolent offers a fully-funded two-year career program, which includes sponsored industry certifications, and paid work experience with top-tier brands and tech companies. You can learn more about our Microsoft Developer career program here.
What is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineer and what do they do?
Next, we’re looking at another hugely in-demand role in Dynamics 365, the Cloud Engineer.
Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineers work to marry organization requirements with a functional solution through the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform.
They work with in-house Microsoft Architecture teams to shape solutions that fit the needs of the business and fall within the capabilities of Dynamics 365.
They’re also technology champions and will advocate the adoption of technologies such as Microsoft Power Platform, to help modernize an organization’s cloud infrastructure.
Within an organization, they are responsible for ensuring all strategy, patterns, principles, roadmaps, and architecture are kept up-to-date and documented in a way that can be fully understood by all relevant parties.
They are also responsible for making sure that all technologies deployed within an organization are done so in line with best practices and are fully secure.
And just like an Azure Cloud Engineer, their Dynamics 365 counterparts are tasked with training key staff members to ensure the use of Dynamics 365 is standardized across the organization.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineer Salary Breakdown
With their combination of tech know-how and commercial savvy, Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineers can earn a fantastic salary for their time. The Nigel Frank Careers and Hiring Guide outlines just how much:
| Junior (0-3 Years) | Mid (4-7 Years) | Senior (8+ Years) | |
| US | $127,800 | $148,400 | $189,300 |
| UK | £43,400 | £67,200 | £82,700 |
| AUS | $81,300 | $111,700 | $122,300 |
Please note: There can be some differences between individual salaries due to factors such as job location, cost of living in that area, experience, skills required, and role complexity.
To unlock your potential and command salaries like these, it all beings with incredible Microsoft training and work placements.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineer Technical Requirements
To become a great Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineer, you need to have a deep understanding of both the Dynamics 365 platform, and the organization’s requirements to build an elegant solution that genuinely meets their needs.
As such, you’ll need to tick at least a few boxes on the below criteria:
- Experience identifying and deploying solutions based on business requirements through Dynamics 365
- Sound working knowledge of Dynamics 365 and thorough knowledge of Dataverse
- Experience building and deploying applications using Power Platform as a front-end to Dynamics 365 services
- Demonstratable integration experience between Dynamics 365 services and existing, on-premise systems, including industry-specific and SQL-based applications
- Experience migrating legacy systems into Dynamics 365
- Some working knowledge of Microsoft data services such as Azure, Data Gateway, Data Lake, and Azure ML and Cognitive Services
- Good working knowledge of data privacy laws and best practices
How long does it take to become a Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineer?
If you meet some of the criteria above or have a background in functional or technical consulting (especially with technologies that overlap with Microsoft Cloud), you can actually train to become a Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineer in just a couple of months!
Of course, you could earn your industry certifications and gain practical experience as a Cloud Engineer on your own, but it can be difficult to break into the world of Dynamics 365, if you don’t have any practical experience in a business.
That’s why Revolent offers career programs that pay people as they train to become Microsoft-certified, and then provides them with paid work placement opportunities with some incredible tech companies.
If you’re interested in a career as a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Cloud Engineer, check out this career program.
What is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Cloud Architect and what do they do?
And now on to our final role in our Microsoft careers guide—the Dynamics 365 Cloud Architect (or Architect, for short).
Architects are not so much ‘button pushers’ as they are overseers and managers. While they may not do the actual work of deploying, they are usually the person in an organization who is responsible for the overall implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and anything that is deployed through it. In the same way that a Store Manager is responsible for everything that goes on within their franchised supermarket!
In a nutshell, they lead on the design, implementation, and deployment of new solutions through Dynamics 365.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Architect Salary Breakdown
As a high-level Dynamics 365 professional, an Architect can command a truly impressive salary. In fact, according to Nigel Frank’s Careers and Hiring Guide, Architects in the US can earn up to $172,000, with the right experience.
Here’s a full breakdown of the salary, based on region and experience level:
| Junior (0-3 Years) | Mid (4-7 Years) | Senior (8+ Years) | |
| US | $138,100 | $155,500 | $172,514 |
| UK | £50,800 | £61,100 | £96,700 |
| AUS | $90,400 | $137,100 | $157,600 |
Please note: There can be some differences between individual salaries due to factors such as job location, cost of living in that area, experience, skills required, and role complexity.
To unlock your potential and command salaries like these, it all beings with incredible Microsoft training and work placements.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Cloud Architect Technical Requirements
As an organization’s Dynamics 365 Cloud Architect, you’ll have to have an almost unparalleled knowledge of the Dynamics 365 platform, and experience with designing, deploying, and maintaining solutions. You’ll also need great communication skills and some experience managing people and processes, as you’ll be doing a little of both here!
More specifically, to become a Dynamics 365 Architect, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- A deep and thorough understanding of ERP functionality, in at least two areas
- Demonstrable consulting experience and an understanding of ERP from both a functional and implementational standpoint
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Solution Architecture and the ability to demonstrate a broad understanding of all aspects of Dynamics 365
- Good working knowledge of Azure technologies and other connectivity platforms.
- Fantastic communication skills across both technical and non-technical teams
- A range of experience in software development, from development and integration, through to data and solution design
How long does it take to become an Azure Cloud Architect?
If you meet the criteria above and have the right experience in Dynamics 365, becoming an Azure Cloud Architect is absolutely not out of reach. But, as it is such a senior role within the vast Microsoft Cloud ecosystem, you may need some support to gain the experience and certifications you need—without it taking a decade!
At Revolent, we pay people to train in Microsoft Dynamics to become Architects, Developers, Engineers, and more. We offer fully-funded industry certifications and paid work opportunities with tech giants and other global brands.
Interested in becoming a Dynamics 365 Cloud Architect? Check out this career program.
With all that said and done, it’s clear that there are some incredible career opportunities available in Microsoft, for those with the right skills, background, or motivation. The trick is to start on a career path that best suits your professional and personal skill sets.
