Hosting Engineer
⏱ 12–18 months · 💰 $55K – $95K
Manage web hosting infrastructure — shared, VPS, and dedicated servers. Handle customer escalations, server provisioning, and platform reliability.
Skills: Linux administration · cPanel/WHM · DNS management · Apache/Nginx config · MySQL troubleshooting · Customer support
Certifications: CompTIA Linux+ · cPanel Professional · LPIC-1
- Learn Linux basics and web hosting fundamentals
- Master cPanel/WHM and DNS/email setup
- Practice server troubleshooting and monitoring
- Get LPIC-1 or cPanel certification
- Apply for NOC or hosting support roles
Linux Administrator
⏱ 12–24 months · 💰 $65K – $110K
Install, configure, and maintain Linux servers. Manage user accounts, services, security patches, backups, and automation scripts.
Skills: Bash scripting · systemd services · SSH & firewall · LAMP/LEMP stack · Monitoring (Nagios/Prometheus) · Backup & recovery
Certifications: RHCSA / RHCE · LPIC-2 · CompTIA Linux+
- Complete Linux command line course
- Set up LEMP stack from scratch on VPS
- Learn Bash scripting and cron automation
- Study for RHCSA certification
- Build homelab with monitoring and backups
Cloud Engineer
⏱ 18–24 months · 💰 $85K – $140K
Design and manage cloud infrastructure on AWS, GCP, or Azure. Implement auto-scaling, networking, storage, and cost optimization.
Skills: AWS/GCP/Azure services · VPC networking · IAM & security · Terraform/IaC · Cost optimization · Migration planning
Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect · Google Cloud Associate · Azure Administrator
- Learn cloud fundamentals (AWS free tier)
- Build multi-tier app on cloud
- Master Terraform for infrastructure as code
- Earn AWS SAA or GCP Associate cert
- Practice migration and cost optimization scenarios
DevOps Engineer
⏱ 18–30 months · 💰 $90K – $150K
Bridge development and operations with CI/CD pipelines, container orchestration, infrastructure automation, and monitoring.
Skills: Docker & Kubernetes · CI/CD (GitHub Actions/Jenkins) · Terraform & Ansible · Monitoring & logging · Git workflows · Scripting (Python/Bash)
Certifications: CKA (Kubernetes) · AWS DevOps Engineer · Terraform Associate
- Learn Docker and containerize an application
- Set up CI/CD pipeline with GitHub Actions
- Deploy to Kubernetes cluster (minikube/EKS)
- Automate infrastructure with Terraform
- Earn CKA or AWS DevOps certification
Security Engineer
⏱ 24–36 months · 💰 $80K – $130K
Protect infrastructure from threats. Implement WAF, intrusion detection, vulnerability scanning, incident response, and compliance.
Skills: Network security · WAF configuration · Penetration testing basics · SIEM & log analysis · Compliance (SOC2/PCI) · Incident response
Certifications: CompTIA Security+ · CEH · OSCP (advanced)
- Study networking and Linux security fundamentals
- Learn OWASP Top 10 and common attack vectors
- Practice with TryHackMe or HackTheBox
- Configure WAF and harden Linux servers
- Earn Security+ then pursue CEH or OSCP
WordPress Developer
⏱ 6–12 months · 💰 $45K – $85K
Build, customize, and optimize WordPress websites. Create themes, plugins, and manage hosting environments for WP clients.
Skills: PHP & WordPress hooks · Theme development · Plugin development · WooCommerce · Performance optimization · Security hardening
Certifications: WordPress Developer Certification · No formal cert required
- Learn PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript basics
- Build custom WordPress theme from scratch
- Create a plugin using actions and filters
- Optimize WordPress performance (caching, CDN)
- Freelance or join agency for real projects
