Should I Become An Oracle Cloud Certified Professional in 2023?

Susan Asher | Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Should I Become An Oracle Cloud Certified Professional in 2023?

Choosing the right certification can be difficult, especially with so many options available in the field of cloud computing. One option is to become Oracle Cloud certified. Oracle Cloud is a popular choice among professionals, and Oracle claims there are over 1.8 million professionals with an Oracle Cloud certification. Whether you are just starting your career or are an experienced IT professional, obtaining an Oracle Cloud certification can be a great way to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in cloud technologies.

The average Oracle Cloud infrastructure salary will depend on the exact certification you choose and where you live. For example, as of December 2022, in the U.S., Oracle Developers make an average of $109,303 according to Indeed, and ZipRecruiter reports that Cloud Architects make an average of $155,659.

There are a variety of Oracle Cloud certifications, and each one has its own set of exams and requirements. Let’s talk about what those areas are and how they differ to give you a better idea of how you may benefit from an OCI certification.  

Types of Oracle Cloud Certification

Oracle Cloud services are broken up into three general categories: Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). Oracle offers certifications for each of them.

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Certifications (OCI)

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure certifications are a series of certifications typically intended for IT professionals who have experience with cloud computing and Oracle technologies. However, there are associate-level certifications that are designed for individuals with non-technical backgrounds.

The professional-level certification is for people who want to showcase their expertise in designing, building, and managing Oracle Cloud Infrastructure environments. The associate-level certification is for individuals looking to gain foundational knowledge of OCI environments.

When we say “OCI environments,” we’re referring to the underlying hardware and software used to host and support applications and data. These components include things like virtual machines (VMs) and security resources like firewalls.

Platform as A Service (PaaS)

While the terminology can be confusing, the primary difference between infrastructure as a service (Iaas) and platform as a service is IaaS provides the computing resources – like servers and storage – while PaaS provides a means for managing and deploying services to the infrastructure. To conceptualize the difference between them, you can think of IaaS as a house, SaaS as the furniture inside, and PaaS as the movers who help you get your stuff into your house.

To acquire a PaaS certification, you must demonstrate your expertise in developing, deploying, and managing applications using Oracle PaaS technologies. One of these technologies is Oracle Cloud Application Development, which provides businesses with development tools to create and deploy custom applications on Oracle Cloud.

There are several different Oracle PaaS certifications available:

  • Oracle Database Cloud Administrator Certified Professional
  • Oracle Cloud Platform Application Integration Certified Professional
  • Oracle Cloud Platform Enterprise Analytics Certified Professional

Oracle Cloud Application Certification

This series of certifications is designed for Oracle’s software as a service (SaaS) suite. To earn one of these certifications, you’ll need to pass one or more exams that cover the specific technologies and skills related to that certification.

Oracle Fusion Cloud Customer Experience Certification Paths

This professional-level certification will signal your skill in implementing, configuring, and managing Oracle Cloud Customer Experience (CX) solutions like Oracle Eloqua Marketing. The goal of the Oracle Cloud CX software suite is to provide tools for managing customer relationships and interactions to provide personal customer experiences.

Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Certification Paths

ERP certifications deal specifically with Oracle Cloud solutions like the Accounting Hub. This software suite aims to provide a range of tools and technologies for managing the human resource, supply chain and financial aspects of a business.

Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) Certification Paths

To acquire this certification, you must demonstrate expertise in implementing, configuring, and managing Oracle Cloud HCM solutions. HCM solutions provide businesses with tools for managing their human resources operations. Unlike the Oracle Cloud ERP suite, HCM is focused on business activities like onboarding, performance management, benefits, and payroll.

Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing Certification Path

This series of professional-level certifications will signal your knowledge and skills in implementing, configuring, and managing Oracle Cloud Supply Chain and Manufacturing solutions. This platform provides tools for creating, managing, and supervising a business’s supply chain.

ZipRecruiter reports that in 2022, SCM Consultants made an average of $129,39.

What are the levels of Oracle Cloud Certification?

Generally speaking, there are three levels of Oracle Cloud Certification:

  1. Associate Level is the entry-level certification for individuals with no prior experience with Oracle Cloud technologies. The course looks at the different Oracle Cloud technologies and the benefits they provide.
  2. Professional Level is the intermediate certification, designed for IT professionals who have a good understanding of Oracle Cloud technologies and are looking to gain more advanced knowledge.
  3. The Expert Level, the highest level of Oracle Cloud certification, attests that the person who holds this certification has demonstrated a deep understanding of Oracle Cloud technologies.

Benefits of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Certifications

On-Demand Skills

The sudden emergence of remote work, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, has helped usher in the age of IaaS. The global IaaS market is projected to reach $481.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 25.3% from 2021 to 2030, according to Allied Market Research.

Higher Employability Rate

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018, workers with certifications were almost 30% more likely to be employed. If you’re wondering whether you should invest in certifications, look at the data.

Expedited Career Growth

The knowledge and skills gained from acquiring a certification are important.  Certifications will signal to your employer that you’re serious about your job and your growth as an IT professional.

Exploring New Career Paths 

Changing career paths can be a difficult task, especially if you don’t have many transferable skills. Certifications will help jumpstart your new career path by providing you with skills that attract recruiters.

Certifications also open an opportunity for you to grow and fill roles that previously may have been outside your skillset.

Career Opportunities for Oracle Cloud Certified Professionals

Administrator

An Oracle Cloud Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining the Oracle Cloud environment for an organization. This includes tasks like setting up and configuring Oracle Cloud services and applications, monitoring and optimizing the performance of the cloud environment, and troubleshooting issues that may arise.

An OCI certification like the OCI Observability and Management Certified Professional will teach you skills to monitor cloud resources and troubleshoot problems and to use the OCI Command Line Interface.

Developer

As an Oracle Cloud Developer, you will be responsible for designing, building, and deploying cloud-based applications. You’ll need to have a strong understanding of software development and design and be proficient with programming languages like Java and SQL.

The OCI Certified Developer Professional certification will provide you with in-depth knowledge of developing, testing, and using OCI service application programming interfaces (API), command line interfaces (CLI), and software development kits (SDK).

Implementer

The duties of an Oracle Cloud Implementer typically include working with customers to understand their business needs and requirements, designing and configuring cloud infrastructure, integrating cloud solutions with on-premises systems, and providing ongoing support and maintenance for the cloud environment.

The OCI Certified Architect Professional certification teaches you how to implement and design solutions. 

Architect

An Oracle Cloud Architect is responsible for designing and implementing cloud-based solutions for organizations. Job duties include developing cloud strategies, selecting appropriate cloud technologies, and designing and building cloud-based architectures that meet the needs of the business.

At first, the difference between an Implementer and an Architect may be confusing. To clarify, the difference between them is that the former is focused on the hands-on aspects of implementing and maintaining Oracle Cloud solutions, while an Architect is focused on the strategic and high-level design of those solutions.

Data Scientist

An Oracle Cloud Data Scientist is a professional who is responsible for applying data science techniques and methods to analyze and extract insights from data stored in the cloud. This may involve working with large, complex data sets; using statistical and machine learning techniques to uncover patterns and trends; and presenting findings to stakeholders.

The OCI Data Science Certified Professional certification will teach data scientists how to identify the best OCI services for use cases requiring data and machine learning.

Business Analyst

An Oracle Cloud Business Analyst is a professional skilled in analyzing business processes and systems and providing recommendations for improvements using cloud-based solutions. This may involve working with stakeholders to understand their business needs and requirements, analyzing data and processes to identify areas for improvement, and developing and implementing solutions that leverage cloud technologies.

Many of the skills learned in the OCI Architect certification will benefit business analysts, as a business analyst will be required to have a high-level understanding of Oracle Cloud solutions. The difference between an architect and a business analyst is the latter will not be tasked with implementing or managing these solutions. However, since business analysts are the middle persons between the architects and the stakeholders, they need to understand what architects do.

Popular OCI Certification Courses

ExitCertified has many popular OCI training courses.

Frequently Asked Questions about Oracle Cloud Certifications

Which cloud certification is best for Oracle developers?

If you’re a developer, or you want to become an Oracle Developer, the “best” course for you depends on your current knowledge. For beginners, meaning those with at least some programming knowledge, you’re likely best suited for the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Developer Associate certification. This certification is geared toward beginners who have some experience with developing applications for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

If you have more advanced knowledge of OCI, you’re more likely to find value in the professional-level certification.

Which Oracle Cloud certification is best for beginners?

If you are a beginner interested in pursuing Oracle Cloud certifications, you may want to consider the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Foundations Associate certification. This certification is designed for professionals who are new to cloud computing and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and want to gain a foundational understanding of these technologies.

ExitCertified provides training for this certification; it’s called the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Foundations Live Class.

Becoming an Oracle Cloud certified professional in 2023 can be a valuable asset in advancing your career in the field of cloud computing. Select the OCI certification that best aligns with your career goals and current skills. It’s important to carefully consider which certification is the best fit for you and to thoroughly prepare for the exams. With the right approach and dedication to study, you can successfully earn an Oracle Cloud certification and take the next step in your career. 

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