Cloud: Cloud vs Data Engineering

After creating my Data Engineering tutorial—which just hit 10,000 views (thank you!)—I started thinking about the overlap between cloud and data engineering. So naturally, I created a Terraform tutorial to replicate the pipeline structure from my first video. Why?

Well, if I wanted to reuse that same pipeline for another project, I’d want it to be deployable with the click of a button. This got me asking a bigger question:

What’s the real difference between a Cloud Engineer and a Data Engineer?

And more importantly - how does this affect career prospects and salaries?

Let’s Break It Down

Cloud Engineers

• Build, operate, and optimise services delivered over the internet.

• Use tools like Terraform and Python, with a strong focus on networking and security.

• Think: scalable infrastructure, cost optimisation, and performance tuning.

Data Engineers

• Build and manage data pipelines, ensuring efficient and scalable data infrastructure.

• Use databases (SQL, NoSQL) and frameworks like Spark.

• Think: processing and storing data, ready for analysis.

The Overlap (And the Opportunity)

With the rise of cloud-first strategies, even traditionally data-focused roles are looking for cloud expertise. Job postings for data engineers increasingly list skills like Terraform and AWS, and many companies expect cross-functional skills between these roles.

Here’s where it gets interesting:

• Data engineers who understand cloud platforms earn more.

• Cloud engineers who can build or optimise data pipelines? Even better.

Why This Matters

Tools like Terraform—once exclusive to cloud engineering—are now making their way into data pipelines. Why? Replicability and scalability.

A data pipeline built with Terraform isn’t just infrastructure—it’s code. It’s maintainable, automatable, and far superior to manual "click-ops" workflows. The lines between cloud and data engineering are blurring, and that’s where the career opportunities lie.

If you’re torn between cloud and data—or just curious about where these fields are headed—check out my video where I cover:

• What do Cloud and Data Engineers actually do?

• Tools you need to learn

• Career paths and salary potential

• The overlap

Spoiler: If you’ve ever wondered, "Which path will make me the most money?" this video is for you.

Career: Starting Now

Most people wait. They set a distant goal, meticulously plan every detail, and take a few cautious steps forward—only to stop. Why?

Because they’re waiting to feel qualified.

Here’s the truth: you’ll never feel 100% ready. The secret? Start before you feel ready. Take action even when it’s uncomfortable.

That’s where growth happens. Progress doesn’t come from perfect preparation—it comes from doing, learning, and improving along the way.

Don’t be like most people. Take the leap.

Luke

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