How to Get a $130K Cloud Job in 2026 (Honest Roadmap)

Entry-level cloud engineers are making $110K to $130K in 2026 — but most "cloud career roadmap" videos skip the parts that actually decide whether you get hired. I train cloud professionals, I hire them, and I do the work every day. Here's the honest version. In this video, I walk you through the real roadmap to land your first cloud job in 2026 — the steps, in order, with the uncomfortable truths most creators leave out. What you'll learn: ✅ Why cloud is NOT an entry-level IT career (and what to do if you're new) ✅ How to pick between Azure and AWS in 5 minutes (no more analysis paralysis) ✅ What a real portfolio project looks like vs. a follow-along tutorial ✅ Which certifications actually matter for hiring — and when to STOP getting them ✅ The "Paper Architect" trap that kills resumes before they're even read ✅ The career path from $130K entry-level to $200K+ cloud architect ⏱ Timestamps: 0:00 - The salary nobody tells you the full truth about 1:05 - The uncomfortable truth about cloud careers 2:24 - Step 1: Pick ONE platform 4:00 - Step 2: Fundamentals cert (and why it won't get you hired) 5:00 - Step 3: Build REAL projects (not tutorials) 7:20 - Step 4: The associate cert that gets you interviews 8:50- The biggest mistake: The Paper Architect 10:46- What comes after — the $200K+ career ladder 12:20 - The honest roadmap summary 🚀 Hands-on Azure labs (the way I wish I'd learned): 👉 https://cloudlearn.io 🔗 Watch these next: ▶ Only 3 Azure Certifications You Actually Need →    • Only 3 Azure Certifications You Actually Need   ▶ Azure Certification Roadmap 2026: Which Exam Should You Take? →    • Azure Certification Roadmap 2026: Which Ex...   🔔 Subscribe for weekly Azure and AI workflow deep-dives. I'm a Microsoft Certified Trainer with 7 years of Azure experience. I've worked with government organizations, built training curriculum, and now run Techrupt Digital where I help organizations migrate to Azure. 🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn   / singhparveen   🔗 Follow me on Instagram   / cloudwithsingh   #CloudCareer #CloudEngineer #Azure2026 #AZ104 #AWSCertification #CloudComputing #TechCareer #CareerChange #CloudJobs #AzureCertification #CloudRoadmap #CloudLearn #ITCareer #TechJobs2026 #CloudArchitect