Malaysia vs USA vs Singapore vs Hong Kong vs Australia
Cloud engineering continues to be one of the rising careers in 2025, with professionals specializing in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud playing a key role in modern IT infrastructure. For payroll and HR professionals, understanding cloud engineer salary trends is essential for budgeting, talent acquisition, and workforce planning.
This guide provides a global salary comparison, explores the impact of experience and platform specialization, and explains why outsourcing cloud engineering roles to Malaysia is becoming a popular solution for cost-effective talent acquisition.
Also Read: Hiring App Developers in Malaysia
Content Outline
Key Summary
Malaysia Offers Cost-Effective Talent
Cloud Engineers earn MYR 70,000–200,000 annually (USD 15,000–45,000), making Malaysia ideal for outsourcing without sacrificing expertise.
USA Leads Global Salary Rankings
Senior Cloud Engineers earn USD 130,000–160,000+, reflecting high demand and premium skillsets.
Singapore Offers Competitive Compensation
Cloud Engineers earn SGD 90,000–160,000 (USD 66,000–118,000), particularly in fintech and tech sectors.
Hong Kong Salaries Are Moderate but Growing
Cloud engineers earn HKD 330,000–450,000 (USD 42,000–55,000), with growth in finance and tech industries.
Australia Pays Mid-to-Senior Salaries
Cloud Engineers earn AUD 130,000–180,000+ (USD 85,000–120,000+), with strong demand in tech and finance.
Outsourcing to Malaysia Delivers Global Value
Employers save on payroll while accessing English-speaking, technically skilled cloud professionals.
Cloud Engineer Salary Breakdown by Country (2025)
Malaysia
Supported by government initiatives like MyDIGITAL Blueprint, Malaysia’s cloud engineering sector is expanding rapidly. Salaries are lower than in Western countries but competitive within Asia.
| Level | Salary (MYR) | Salary (USD) |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | 70,000 – 100,000 | 15,000 – 21,500 |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | 120,000 – 160,000 | 25,500 – 34,000 |
| Senior (6+ yrs) | 180,000 – 200,000 | 38,000 – 45,000 |
Market Insight: Malaysia provides access to cloud talent skilled in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, DevOps, and cloud security at a fraction of Western salaries.
United States
The US offers the highest cloud engineer salaries globally, driven by tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and New York.
| Level | Salary (USD) |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | 90,000 – 110,000 |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | 120,000 – 140,000 |
| Senior (6+ yrs) | 150,000 – 160,000+ |
Market Insight: US cloud engineers often receive stock options and performance bonuses, but high living costs reduce net savings.
Also Read: How to Successfully Outsource a Back-End Development Team
Singapore
Singapore has emerged as a key regional hub for cloud engineering in fintech, healthcare, and tech.
| Level | Salary (SGD) | Salary (USD) |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | 90,000 – 110,000 | 66,000 – 81,000 |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | 120,000 – 140,000 | 88,000 – 102,000 |
| Senior (6+ yrs) | 150,000 – 160,000+ | 110,000 – 118,000+ |
Market Insight: Cloud engineers in Singapore benefit from strong employer demand, particularly for AWS and multi-cloud expertise.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s cloud engineering market is growing, especially in finance, tech, and logistics.
| Level | Salary (HKD) | Salary (USD) |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | 330,000 – 360,000 | 42,000 – 46,000 |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | 380,000 – 420,000 | 48,000 – 54,000 |
| Senior (6+ yrs) | 430,000 – 450,000 | 55,000 – 58,000 |
Market Insight: While salaries are moderate, Hong Kong offers strong exposure to finance-related cloud projects.
Australia
Australia provides strong mid-to-senior cloud engineering salaries, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.
| Level | Salary (AUD) | Salary (USD) |
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | 130,000 – 150,000 | 85,000 – 98,000 |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | 150,000 – 170,000 | 98,000 – 110,000 |
| Senior (6+ yrs) | 170,000 – 180,000+ | 110,000 – 120,000+ |
Market Insight: High salaries are paired with work-life balance and career growth opportunities in cloud architecture and DevOps.
Salary Table – Cloud Engineer Salaries by Country (2025)
| Country | Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | Mid-Level (3–5 yrs) | Senior (6+ yrs) |
| Malaysia | MYR 70k–100k (USD 15k–21.5k) | MYR 120k–160k (USD 25.5k–34k) | MYR 180k–200k (USD 38k–45k) |
| USA | USD 90k–110k | USD 120k–140k | USD 150k–160k+ |
| Singapore | SGD 90k–110k (USD 66k–81k) | SGD 120k–140k (USD 88k–102k) | SGD 150k–160k+ (USD 110k–118k+) |
| Hong Kong | HKD 330k–360k(USD 42k–46k) | HKD 380k–420k (USD 48k–54k) | HKD 430k–450k (USD 55k–58k) |
| Australia | AUD 130k–150k(USD 85k–98k) | AUD 150k–170k (USD 98k–110k) | AUD 170k–180k+ (USD 110k–120k+) |
Cloud Engineer Salary by Platform
Cloud engineers’ salaries vary significantly depending on the platform they specialize in, their experience level, and the country of employment. The three dominant platforms, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, each have unique features, market demand, and career growth potential. Employers and payroll professionals can use these insights to benchmark salaries and plan competitive compensation packages.
Also Read: How to Hire and Manage a High-Performing Back-End Developer Team in Malaysia
AWS Cloud Engineer Salaries by Country and Experience (2025)
| Country | Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | Mid-Level (3–5 yrs) | Senior-Level (6+ yrs) | Median Salary (USD) | Key Insights |
| USA | $90k–110k | $120k–140k | $150k–180k | $140k | Most widely adopted platform globally; strong demand across startups, enterprises, and public sector. |
| Malaysia | MYR 70k–100(USD 15k–21.5k) | MYR 120k–160k (USD 25.5k–34k) | MYR 180k–200k(USD 38k–45k) | $32k | Rapidly growing cloud ecosystem; cost-effective talent for outsourcing. |
| Singapore | SGD 90k–110k(USD 66k–81k) | SGD 120k–140k(USD 88k–102k) | SGD 150k–160k+(USD 110k–118k+) | $102k | Popular in fintech and enterprise IT; high adoption of AWS services. |
| Hong Kong | HKD 330k–360k (USD 42k–46k) | HKD 380k–420k (USD 48k–54k) | HKD 430k–450k (USD 55k–58k) | $50k | Growing demand in banking and finance; moderate cost of living impact. |
| Australia | AUD 130k–150k (USD 85k–98k) | AUD 150k–170k (USD 98k–110k) | AUD 170k–180k+ (USD 110k–120k+) | $110k | Strong adoption in e-commerce and cloud-native enterprises. |
Tip for Professionals: Certification in AWS (Solutions Architect, Developer, or DevOps Engineer) can increase earning potential by 15–25%.
Azure Cloud Engineer Salaries by Country and Experience (2025)
| Country | Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | Mid-Level (3–5 yrs) | Senior-Level (6+ yrs) | Median Salary (USD) | Key Insights |
| USA | $92k–115k | $122k–145k | $155k–180k | $141,619 | Preferred in enterprises using Microsoft products like Office 365, SharePoint, Dynamics. |
| Malaysia | MYR 72k–105k(USD 15.5k–22.5k) | MYR 125k–165k(USD 26.5k–35k) | MYR 185k–205k(USD 39k–46k) | $33k | Strong demand for Azure DevOps and hybrid cloud expertise; cost-effective hiring. |
| Singapore | SGD 92k–115k(USD 68k–85k) | SGD 125k–145k(USD 88k–102k) | SGD 155k–170k+ (USD 110k–118k+) | $102k | Enterprise adoption high; focus on security and compliance roles. |
| Hong Kong | HKD 335k–360k (USD 43k–46k) | HKD 385k–425k(USD 49k–55k) | HKD 435k–455k(USD 56k–59k) | $52k | Increasing adoption in hybrid cloud projects; government and finance sectors. |
| Australia | AUD 132k–155k (USD 86k–100k) | AUD 155k–175k(USD 101k–114k) | AUD 175k–185k+ (USD 114k–120k+) | $112k | Azure skills are particularly valued in enterprise and large-scale migration projects. |
Tip for Employers: Hiring engineers skilled in Azure DevOps and security ensures faster cloud adoption and reduces operational risks.
Google Cloud Engineer Salaries by Country and Experience (2025)
| Country | Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | Mid-Level (3–5 yrs) | Senior-Level (6+ yrs) | Median Salary (USD) | Key Insights |
| USA | $95k–120k | $125k–150k | $160k–185k | $143k | Strong demand in AI, machine learning, and data analytics workloads. |
| Malaysia | MYR 75k–110k (USD 16k–23.5k) | MYR 130k–170k (USD 27k–36k) | MYR 190k–210k (USD 40k–47k) | $34k | Ideal for outsourcing AI and analytics-heavy projects at cost-effective rates. |
| Singapore | SGD 95k–120k (USD 70k–88k) | SGD 125k–150k (USD 92k–110k) | SGD 160k–175k+ (USD 118k–130k+) | $105k | Popular in AI-focused fintech and tech companies. |
| Hong Kong | HKD 340k–365k (USD 43k–47k) | HKD 390k–430k (USD 50k–55k) | HKD 440k–460k (USD 57k–59k) | $53k | Demand in data-driven industries; premium for machine learning and big data skills. |
| Australia | AUD 135k–155k (USD 88k–101k) | AUD 155k–175k (USD 101k–114k) | AUD 175k–190k+ (USD 114k–124k+) | $115k | Companies prefer GCP for analytics pipelines and AI projects; high value for specialists. |
Tip for Professionals: GCP certification in Data Engineering or Cloud Architecture can open doors to higher-paying roles and global opportunities.
Comparing Cloud Engineer Salaries Across Countries
When comparing Cloud Engineer salaries globally, it’s essential to consider more than just the numbers. Factors like cost of living, industry demand, cloud platform specialization, and work culture also influence the overall value of a salary. Let’s break it down country by country.
Malaysia: Affordable Salaries with Strong Cost-to-Talent Advantage
Malaysia offers one of the best cost-to-talent ratios in Asia. Cloud Engineers earn between USD 15,000 and 47,000 annually, depending on experience and platform specialization. While salaries are lower compared to Western countries, Malaysia provides English-speaking, technically skilled professionals with expertise in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Also Read: Payroll and Compliance for Hiring Back-End Developers in Malaysia
Example: A mid-level AWS Engineer in Malaysia might earn USD 32,000 annually, compared to USD 130,000 in the United States. This represents a 75% payroll saving without compromising on technical quality.
Tips for Employers:
- Consider outsourcing cloud engineering roles to Malaysia for cost efficiency.
- Use an Employer of Record (EOR) service to manage compliance, payroll, and benefits.
- Focus on talent hubs like Kuala Lumpur and Penang, where cloud and IT ecosystems are strongest.
United States: Top Global Pay with High Cost of Living
The US remains the highest-paying market for Cloud Engineers. Senior professionals specializing in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud can earn between USD 150,000 and 185,000+. However, high salaries are often offset by living costs in tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York.
Example: A senior Google Cloud Engineer in San Francisco earning USD 170,000 may spend nearly half on housing and daily expenses. Meanwhile, a Malaysian engineer earning USD 32,000 enjoys significantly higher purchasing power relative to cost of living.
Recommendations for Employers:
Reserve US hires for strategic senior roles requiring deep expertise. Consider hybrid models with leadership in the US and offshore teams in Malaysia for cost-effective operations.
Singapore: Competitive Salaries in a Tech Hub
Singapore pays Cloud Engineers USD 66,000–130,000 depending on experience and platform. The country attracts cloud talent for enterprise IT, fintech, and AI projects. High salaries come with high living costs.
Tips for Employers:
Leverage Singapore for cloud leadership roles while complementing the team with Malaysian engineers for scalable support and cost efficiency.
Also Read: Back-End Developer Salary Guide 2025
Hong Kong: Growing Cloud Demand with Moderate Pay
Cloud Engineers in Hong Kong earn between USD 42,000 and 59,000 annually, with slightly higher rates for senior engineers specializing in AI and data analytics workloads on Google Cloud. Finance, banking, and tech sectors drive demand.
Tips for Employers:
Use Hong Kong for niche cloud roles in finance or regulatory-heavy projects. Outsource routine or mid-level engineering tasks to Malaysia to manage payroll costs.
Australia: Strong Pay with Work-Life Balance
Australia offers USD 85,000–124,000+ salaries for Cloud Engineers, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. The country combines competitive compensation with a favorable work-life balance.
Recommendations for Employers:
Hire senior cloud architects and DevOps engineers locally, and integrate offshore Malaysian engineers to build a cost-effective, scalable team.
Why These Salaries Differ
Salary differences across countries are influenced by:
- Cost of Living: High salaries in the US, Australia, and Singapore compensate for higher living expenses.
- Industry Demand: Financial services, AI, and tech sectors pay premium rates for cloud expertise.
- Talent Supply: Regions with limited cloud engineers (e.g., Silicon Valley) push salaries higher, while countries like Malaysia benefit from a growing, cost-efficient talent pool.
Key Insight: Malaysia provides globally competitive cloud engineering talent at a fraction of the cost, making it ideal for companies seeking scalability, technical quality, and cost efficiency through EOR solutions.
Also Read: Why Global Companies Choose Malaysia for Offshore Back-end Development
Strategies to Enhance Cloud Engineer Salaries
- Pursue Advanced Certifications: Obtaining certifications in AWS (Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer), Azure (Solutions Architect, Security Engineer), Google Cloud (Professional Cloud Architect), or cloud security (CISSP, CompTIA Cloud+) can significantly boost pay.
Example: A mid-level AWS-certified engineer in the U.S. may earn around USD 130,000, compared to USD 115,000 without certifications. In Malaysia, certification can increase salaries from USD 20,000 to USD 25,000 for mid-level roles.
- Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Expertise in DevOps, multi-cloud architecture, cloud security, or AI/ML workloads increases market value.
Example: A senior DevOps engineer in Australia may earn AUD 150,000 (USD 103,000+), while a general cloud engineer of similar experience earns around AUD 120,000 (USD 82,000).
- Gain Cross-Platform Expertise: Multi-cloud proficiency allows engineers to manage hybrid environments, migrate workloads, and fill specialized roles, often earning 15–25% more.
Example: A Google Cloud engineer in Canada with AWS and Azure knowledge can earn CAD 125,000 (USD 91,000) vs CAD 100,000 (USD 73,000) for single-platform expertise.
- Engage in Continuous Learning: Staying updated on new cloud services, tools, and best practices ensures competitiveness. Learning Kubernetes, Terraform, or AI-driven cloud tools can open higher-paying opportunities.
Example: A U.S.-based engineer who masters Kubernetes and Terraform may move from USD 120,000 to USD 145,000 within 2 years.
- Develop Soft Skills and Leadership Abilities: Engineers who combine technical expertise with project management or leadership skills are often promoted to architect or managerial roles with higher pay.
Example: A senior cloud engineer in the UK moving into a cloud architect role can see salaries rise from £65,000 (USD 85,000) to £85,000–£100,000 (USD 110,000–130,000).
- Contribute to Open Source or Public Projects: Public contributions increase credibility and visibility, attracting premium roles.
Example: Engineers contributing to popular open-source cloud projects may receive offers that are 10–20% higher than peers without public contributions, especially in tech hubs like San Francisco or Sydney.
- Leverage Industry Experience: Specializing in high-paying sectors like finance, healthcare, or e-commerce can increase compensation.
Example: A cloud engineer in the U.S. financial sector can earn USD 150,000–180,000, compared to USD 130,000 in a general IT role. In Singapore, finance-focused cloud engineers may earn USD 180,000–200,000, significantly higher than general enterprise roles.
Why Malaysia Stands Out for Outsourcing
Malaysia provides a cost-effective solution for hiring cloud engineers without compromising quality.
Advantages:
- Lower Payroll Costs: Malaysian cloud engineers earn 60–75% less than US or Singapore counterparts.
- English Proficiency: Communication with global teams is seamless.
- Government Support: Initiatives like MyDIGITAL Blueprint foster digital and cloud adoption.
- Growing Talent Pool: Thousands of IT graduates and certified professionals annually.
- Strategic Location: Proximity to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia supports nearshore operations.
Example: Hiring a mid-level cloud engineer in Kuala Lumpur may cost USD 30,000 annually compared to USD 120,000 in the US, offering 75% payroll savings.
Conclusion
The cloud engineering field in 2025 offers lucrative opportunities for professionals across various experience levels and specializations. Understanding the salary landscape, influenced by platform expertise, industry, and location, is essential for both employers and employees. For organizations seeking to optimize their payroll strategies and access top-tier cloud talent, partnering with FastLaneRecruit’s Employer of Record (EOR) services in Malaysia can provide a cost-effective solution.
Scale Your Cloud Engineering Team Effortlessly with Malaysian Cloud Engineers
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