Google Cloud Certification: Path, Preparation, and Salary in 2022

Google Cloud certification is a set of three certification examinations followed by a fellowship program demonstrating your understanding, knowledge, and hands-on skills in using the Google Cloud platform and the company’s various cloud-based technical products. This article explains the certification pathway, the options for candidates in 2022, how to get started, and the expected salaries. 

Google Cloud Certification Path 

Every day, more and more organizations are using cloud services such as the Google cloud platform. Google cloud is a public cloud vendor that provides a wide range of computing services for developing, hosting, and operating applications on the web. It runs on the same framework used for Google’s consumer products such as Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, etc.

The cloud platform is used to compute and store large amounts of data. Google Cloud, like other cloud service platforms, offers the platform for networking, big data, data analytics, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), security, developer tools, web hosting, app hosting, etc. 

For these services to be effectively used, the user must possess extensive relevant knowledge and skills. Organizations are now faced with the challenge of employing people capable of maneuvering and maximizing the features offered by the cloud platform. As these skills are not taught conventionally, Google has provided certification programs that verify individuals as qualified personnel in cloud platform services. 

Google Cloud certification is an official attestation from the Google Cloud platform that proves your technical skills related to a particular Google Cloud platform job description. Before Google certifies an individual, they must take a certification exam that assesses their proficiency in that field. 

The Google cloud certification path includes three certifications covering the various skills and knowledge bases at different levels. 

1. Foundational certification 
2. Associate certification 
3. Professional certification 

Along with these, Google also offers a fellowship program, a certification for advanced-level professionals and Google partners.

One does not have to take these certification exams in order. One might want to go directly and get the Professional certification without completing the Associate certification, depending on the candidate’s level of expertise, preparation, and experience. Some organizations training their staff may also experience some confusion as to which certificate is the best. 

See More: Top 10 Cloud Computing Certifications and Courses in 2021

Going further, we would discuss each of the Google Cloud platform certifications and what they mean, the skills included in each certificate, the job descriptions available under them, and what each would mean for your career. This would help you make a good choice as to the best certification you should choose. 

1. Foundational certification 

The foundational certification certifies your broad general knowledge of the fundamental cloud concepts. You must know the products, features, services, tools, use cases, and benefits of Google cloud. There is also no technical requirement to be qualified for this certification. If successful, the individual is now qualified to work as a digital cloud leader in any organization. The Google Cloud digital certificate is valid for a total of three years from the date of certification. 

The foundational certificate is perfect for people vying for or currently in technical positions that will gain from a basic understanding of the cloud platform and its role in overall IT infrastructure. If you already have a good knowledge of Google Cloud, you can skip the foundational certification and go on to get the associate or professional certification. 

2. Associate certification 

This goes beyond the general knowledge of cloud features. It ascertains that the holder has the fundamental skills to deploy, operate, manage and maintain projects on the Google Cloud platform. 

Ideally, anyone seeking an associate certification should have a minimum of six months of experience building on Google cloud. The associate-certified personnel is qualified to work as a cloud engineer in any establishment. 

It is the ideal certification for anyone aspiring for a professional-level certification. However, it is not an absolute requirement. The certificate is also valid for two years and costs $125. 

3. Professional certification 

The professional certification allows you to assess critical technical job functions for specific and advanced roles. Professional certification provides advanced and specialized skills in designing, implementing, and managing Google Cloud products.

Before opting for this, it is recommended that the individual has at least three years of experience in the cloud industry and at least one year of working experience in Google cloud.

The professional certification verifies you to work in any of the following capacities – as a cloud architect, a cloud database engineer, a cloud developer, a data engineer, an engineer with cloud DevOps, cloud security, or cloud network specialization, a Google Workspace administrator, or a machine learning engineer. These job descriptions apply to the skill set tested by the certification process. 

Google Cloud platform has gone beyond these three certifications to introduce a higher skill set level, and the Google Cloud certified fellow program. 

See More: 5 Pro Tips to Crack the Google Cloud Engineer Certification|

The Google cloud certified fellow program 

This is made for the most advanced and professional Google cloud architects. Professionals who are the best in creating hybrid cloud and multi-cloud enterprise solutions. To be eligible for the Google cloud certified fellow program, you must have profound technical expertise, the ability to assess real-time business needs and requirements and create specialized solutions using Anthos and the Google Cloud platform. 

To be a certified fellow, you must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

• Be a Google Cloud customer or partner with Google Cloud.
• Must have a referral from an already cloud-certified fellow or another Google contact.
• Complete other prerequisites needed for the program.

The process to be a cloud-certified fellow goes from referral to application to a lab-based assessment and, finally, a panel interview. 

See More: How To Build A Simple Data Pipeline on Google Cloud Platform

Preparing for Google Cloud Certification 

To be Google cloud certified, there are exams that the individual must pass to ascertain a good knowledge base. These exams are pass/fail exams without an open scoring or grading system. The exams can be written as an online proctored exam or onsite at Kryterion testing centers across over 120 countries. Before taking the exam, you must acquire the necessary knowledge even if you understand the basics of the Google cloud platform. The following steps can help when preparing for Google Cloud certification: 

1. Understand the terrain 

Acquire an overall idea of the importance of Google cloud certification and if it’s necessary for you. Not every tech job needs you to be Google Cloud certified. It is essential to know whether you need the certification or not. 

2. Obtain real-world experience

Having real-world experience is not a prerequisite for these certifications. However, they are highly recommended. Knowing what Google cloud is and how it functions goes beyond reading about it. Google provides free hands-on learning opportunities with the Google Cloud free tier. 

The extent to which you can use the free Google Cloud is limited but covers a wide area of its functionality. This means that even if your current employer or job description does not include Google Cloud skills, you can learn them independently if it falls into your career path. 

3. Decide the level of certification you 

The certification level will depend on your career trajectory so far and your future ambitions. We will discuss this process in detail in a later section.

4. Register for an online course

Google Cloud certification exams have proven not to be an easy ride. Before attempting the exam, you must be highly knowledgeable on various subjects. The exams don’t just test your knowledge of the cloud platform. It tests your ability to apply this knowledge to solve specific business challenges and fulfill job roles. 

Several platforms provide in-depth Google certification online courses. So you can go through the entire learning and certification process remotely. You can also find exam simulations and similar questions to help you feel prepared before taking the exam. Some platforms that offer these courses include Udemy, Coursera, Cloud Academy, etc.

5. Assess your readiness

You can do this by reviewing sample questions. Google provides practice exam questions for all its certification exams and a guide to help you prepare adequately. While taking the practice test, note any area of confusion and further solidify your knowledge of those concepts.

6. Schedule the examination date 

When you feel prepared, you can register and select whether you will write the exam physically or online. To register, you will need to pay a certification fee. The foundational certificate costs $99, the associate cloud engineer certification costs $125, and all the professional certifications cost $200. 

7. Take the Google Cloud certification exam

The foundational certificate exam lasts 90 minutes. However, the associate and professional last two hours each. They are made up of multiple-choice questions you must answer within the stipulated time. Results are displayed in a pass or fail format. If you pass the test, your certification badge will automatically be added to pages like your LinkedIn, etc. 

On the other hand, if you fail the exam, you can choose to retake it after 14 days. You are allowed up to four trials within a year. Failure to meet the expected pass mark will require you to wait a year before attempting the exam again. 

See More: What Is Cloud Computing Security? Definition, Risks, and Security Best Practices

Here are a few tips to remember when preparing for Google Cloud certification exams:

• Learn both theory and practical skills. You have to understand the concept behind the Google Cloud platform and how to use each feature. You should practice several times, using free tools, hands-on labs, tutorial videos, etc.
• Familiarize yourself with the related Google cloud platform product. You must be well grounded in core areas for specialized certificates, such as Google Cloud architect, machine learning, etc. Read the exam guides to understand what you are expected to know and focus on those areas.
• For certifications like the professional cloud architect, Google has sample case studies you can practice with before the exam. Create solutions for the problems presented in those case studies to develop your skills further and assess your readiness. 
• As earlier said, you should practice as much as possible with the Google sample questions. This should not replace your research but should go hand in hand. 

See More: The Top 5 Cloud Computing Books to Read in 2021 

Google Cloud Certification Salary

If you have decided to follow a career in cloud infrastructure or as an employer, you need to hold skilled cloud engineers. It is time to find out how much these skills are worth. Undoubtedly, having a Google Cloud certification can boost your income earning capacity. A cloud-certified technician has more value than a non-cloud-certified technician, primarily when the organization uses the Google Cloud platform or any other cloud platform to offer its services. 

According to ACG’s State of Cloud Learning Report 2020, eight out of ten employees could directly link an increased salary to cloud certification. Global Knowledge’s 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report also confirms that IT professionals who added new skills or certifications like the Google Cloud certification to their portfolio have an average $12,000 to $13,000 raise. 

So how much can the various Google cloud certifications and skills boost your overall compensation? And how much is the average salary a Google Cloud certified professional can expect in different parts of the world? Here are the salary benchmarks, as per Payscale data updated last on May 02, 2022.

• Associate cloud engineer: As an associate cloud engineer, you are expected to know how to deploy applications and manage and monitor the processes of different cloud solutions. You should also be able to plan, design, and set up a cloud environment based on the Google cloud platform. The average salary of a cloud engineer is $116,805 in the U.S., £55,000 in the U.K., and $135,000 in Australia.
• Certified cloud architect: The cloud architect certification is the first professional level for Google certification. The average salary of a cloud architect is $156,399 in the U.S., £78,950 in the U.K., and between$145,143 and $155,739 in Australia.
• Certified professional cloud developer: A cloud developer must have extensive knowledge of advanced database systems, applications native to Google Cloud, developer and DevOps tools, etc. The average salary of a cloud developer is $125,000 in the U.S., £55,000 in the U.K., and $119,392 in Australia.
• Google certified professional data engineer: A Google cloud-certified data engineer has the role of providing deeper insights to improve overall decision-making. They ensure security, stability, accurate processing, and data delivery. The average salary of a cloud data engineer is $100,950 in the U.S., £55,000 in the U.K., and $120,000 in Australia.
• Google cloud certified professional cloud DevOps engineer: DevOps engineers, among other roles, oversee development and operation teams, ensuring that both are in sync with each other. The average salary of a cloud DevOps Engineer is $135,000 in the U.S., £60,000 in the U.K., and $130,815 in Australia. 
• Google certified professional cloud security engineer: A cloud security engineer designs, monitors, and maintains an organization’s security system and protects it. The average salary of a cloud security engineer is $135,507 in the U.S., £72,500 in the U.K., and $164,745 in Australia.
• Google certified professional cloud network engineer: The cloud network engineer in an organization must be able to implement and oversee the organization’s network architecture on the Google cloud platform. The average salary of a Google cloud certified network engineer is $106,100 in the U.S., £64,767 in the U.K., and $78,520 in Australia.
• Google certified machine learning engineer: A cloud-certified machine learning engineer must be able to design, build and utilize machine learning models to provide solutions to real business challenges. They have to be experts in all areas of model architecture, interpretation of metrics, and data pipeline interaction. There is also a need for hands-on knowledge of data engineering, security, and infrastructure management. The average salary of a Google cloud-certified machine learning engineer is $107,494 in the U.S., £55 643 in the U.K., and $147,948 in Australia.

See More: Cloud Computing Careers: Job Roles and Key Skills Needed for 2021

Choosing the Right Certification 

Choosing the proper certification might be overwhelming, given that so many options exist. However, if you are looking for an additional skill to add to your portfolio, you should choose a certification most aligned with your current career path. Also, remember that each accreditation lasts for two years. So one should factor that into one’s upskilling plans. If you are unsure about which certifications are ideal for you at this time, ask yourself the following questions: 

• How familiar are you with the Google cloud platform? 
• What is your level of general cloud expertise? 
• Are you looking to become an IT generalist or specialize in software engineering? 
• Does your organization already use Google cloud? 
• What is your upskilling budget in the short term? 

According to the Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report, 75% of organizational and departmental heads are looking for skilled technical personnel to meet the organization’s needs. Almost all agreed that certified employees brought much more value than the capital expended on the certification process. 

Takeaway

Google cloud certifications help you promote your professional skills, improve them, and most importantly, show your worth to current or future employers. A Google cloud-certified individual enjoys other benefits. One can add a digital badge to emails, resumes, social profiles, etc. You can use this to distinguish yourself from competitors or peers in the same niche. 

If you get the professional certification, you can join an exclusive network called the cloud-certified group and be part of the Google Cloud Learning & Certification Hub. Here, you meet fellow cloud professionals, network with them, and share ideas and opportunities.

You also have access to events hosted by the cloud. Google Cloud certification is an added advantage every IT professional should have today. It is also quite affordable, with several learning materials made available online. 

What makes you interested in obtaining a Google cloud certification? Tell us on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you! 

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