Are you on the right cloud computing career path?

While the rise of cloud computing frightens some in IT, many see the technology as an opportunity to accelerate their careers and grow their bank accounts. However, those attempting to navigate their cloud careers must take specific paths, and understand certain skill sets are valued more than others.

IT pros have good reason to be optimistic about finding riches in the cloud. In the U.S. today, 3.9 million jobs are associated with cloud computing, with 384,478 of them in IT, according to Forbes. The median salary for IT professionals with cloud computing experience is $90,950. Currently, there are 18,239,258 cloud computing jobs worldwide, 40.8% of which are located in China.

There is an explosion in both cloud computing use and demand for people who can help with cloud migrations. There are about 100 jobs chasing each qualified candidate at this point in time, according to technical recruiters. That disparity will likely grow later this year, and in 2016.

There are two types of emerging cloud computing careers: IT pros with specific cloud skills and IT admins with cloud architecture know-how.

Companies that require specific cloud computing skills or development skills are typically already committed to a specific cloud provider, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud Platform. These positions are often tied to emerging DevOps automation tools and processes, and usually in newly formed enterprise groups.

Roles requiring specific cloud skills account for the majority of cloud computing jobs today. Job postings seeking AWS skills lead by a large margin, followed by those requiring Google and Microsoft expertise. These jobs include configuration, development and operations positions, with salaries ranging from $110,000 to $220,000 annually, depending on location.

In the last year, Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure have shown stronger growth rates, exceeding that of AWS in some respects. This led to more job openings that focus on Google and Microsoft, a trend that will likely continue as enterprises use a mix of public cloud providers. However, IBM, HP, Verizon and CenturyLink are still in the mix, generating demand for jobs related to their own cloud platforms.

The rise of cloud-related jobs brings the rise of cloud certification programs. Top cloud certification programs include:

• AWS Certification
• Google Cloud Platform CloudAcademy
• Microsoft Azure Certifications
• IBM Certified Solution Advisor -- Cloud Computing Architecture
• IBM Certified Solution Architect -- Cloud Computing Infrastructure
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• Certified Cloud Professional (CCP)