NetOps and SysOps Developer with Terraform Salary in 2024

Where is Terraform used?

Infra-as-Code Party Tricks

• Spinning up a herd of servers faster than a microwave popcorn during a Netflix binge.


• Playing multi-cloud hopscotch with your entire application stack, no sweat or tears involved.


• Laying out network topologies like a spider spins its web, with precision but without getting tangled.


• Version-controlling the cloud as if it's a video game save point - reload when the boss level gets too tough.

Terraform Alternatives

Pulumi

Pulumi is an infrastructure as code tool that allows developers to define and deploy cloud resources using familiar programming languages such as JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Go, and .NET.

• Uses real programming languages.


• Supports multi-cloud configurations.


• Brings familiar test practices to IaC.

import * as pulumi from "@pulumi/pulumi";
import * as aws from "@pulumi/aws";

const bucket = new aws.s3.Bucket("my-bucket", {
    acl: "private",
});

• Slightly steeper learning curve for IaC newbies.


• Diverges from declarative approach of Terraform.


• Tooling and editor integration might be less mature.

CloudFormation

AWS CloudFormation provides a declarative way to outline AWS infrastructure using a template made up of JSON or YAML.

• Native integration with AWS Services.


• Supports rollback of changes if deployments fail.


• Built-in drift detection.

Resources:
  MyBucket:
    Type: AWS::S3::Bucket
    Properties:
      AccessControl: Private

• AWS-specific; not suitable for multi-cloud.


• Templates can be verbose and complex.


• Less flexible compared to Terraform Modules.

Ansible

Ansible is a configuration management tool that can also be used for orchestration or as an IaC tool, focusing on automation using YAML-based playbooks.

• Agentless; manages nodes over SSH.


• Extremely simple to set up and use.


• Large, supportive community and plenty of modules.

- hosts: servers
  tasks:
    - name: ensure the S3 bucket exists
      aws_s3:
        bucket: mynewbucket
        mode: create

• Less suited for complex orchestration.


• Imperative approach might lead to drift in state.


• Performance can degrade with large inventories.

Quick Facts about Terraform

Once Upon a Manual Laborland...

In the dark ages of 2014, a wizard named Mitchell Hashimoto conjured up a spell called Terraform. Yeah, you heard it right, in the IT realm, four years is akin to a century ago! Poof, and suddenly infrastructure became code. I mean, who needs wands and broomsticks when you can just write down what you want your cloud kingdom to look like and abracadabra, it's done!

Upgrading the Spellbook

With great power comes great responsibility... and a bunch of updates! Terraform didn't just stay put; it evolved faster than a rabbit population. By 2021, it had shape-shifted into version 1.0, looking all spiffy and stable, promising those who practice the arcane arts of DevOps a 'backward compatibility' charm. That's code for "We won’t break your stuff with updates," which, as you know, is quite the pledge in the software sorcery world.

The Incantation Syntax

Eloquent as Shakespeare and structured like a LEGO set, Terraform's language, HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language), was designed to describe the end state of your infrastructure with the clarity of a tropical lagoon. It's both human and machine-friendly, so even the robots can't complain. Seek and ye shall find! Behold, the sacred script to summon an S3 bucket:

resource "aws_s3_bucket" "bella_bucket" {
  bucket = "my-supercool-bucket"
  acl    = "private"
}

What is the difference between Junior, Middle, Senior and Expert Terraform developer?

Seniority Name	Years of Experience	Average Salary (USD/year)	Responsibilities & Activities
Junior	0-2	50,000 - 70,000	Assisting in code writing for basic Terraform modules Debugging simple Terraform plans Learning coding standards and best practices Documenting code and updating existing documentation
Middle	2-4	70,000 - 100,000	Designing and implementing more complex Terraform modules Writing intermediate Terraform configurations Automating cloud infrastructure provisioning Ensuring code quality and maintainability Reviewing code of junior developers
Senior	4-6+	100,000 - 130,000	Architecting complete cloud infrastructure environments Leading complex projects with Terraform Mentoring junior and middle Terraform developers Optimizing and refactoring existing systems Contributing to strategic decisions regarding infrastructure and DevOps practices
Expert/Team Lead	7+	130,000 - 160,000+	Setting overall direction for infrastructure projects Designing advanced cloud solutions and frameworks Leading multiple Terraform projects and teams Overseeing project life cycles from design to deployment Developing best practices and establishing infrastructure policies

Top 10 Terraform Related Tech

1. 
   

   HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language)

   
   

   Picture yourself crafting a love letter, but instead of professing your undying affection, you're sweet-talking a server setup. That's HCL for you – the poetry of Terraform configuration! Intuitive as a pet following crumbs, HCL's got a JSON-compatible sheen, making your Infrastructure as Code endeavors a walk in the park. A harmonious blend of human-readable meets machine-efficient, HCL lets your infrastructure bloom like a well-watered Chia Pet.

   
   

   resource "aws_instance" "example" {
     ami           = "abc123"
     instance_type = "t2.micro"
   }

   
   



2. 
   

   Version Control Systems (Git)

   
   

   Git, the safety net for your coding high-wire act, captures every somersault of your Terraform code. Commit by commit, branch by branch, it guards against the "Whoops, shouldn't have deleted that" fiasco. Git also pairs with Terraform like peanut butter with jelly, ensuring your infrastructure recipes can be versioned, tracked, and shared – just shy of slapping a bow on it and calling it a gift.

   
   

   git add .
   git commit -m "Add initial Terraform config for a new VPC"
   git push origin main

   
   



3. 
   

   Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

   
   

   CI/CD platforms, like juggling while unicycling, keep the Terraform deployment balls beautifully airborne. Jenkins, GitLab CI, and GitHub Actions let you push updates without breaking a sweat or the infrastructure. Automate your Terraform plan and apply, and you can sit back, relax, and watch as your code gets deployed like clockwork-powered cupcakes on a conveyor belt!

   
   

   pipeline {
     agent any
     stages {
       stage('Terraform Init') {
         steps {
           sh 'terraform init'
         }
       }
     }
   }

   
   



4. 
   

   Cloud Service Providers (AWS, GCP, Azure)

   
   

   If Terraform is your orchestra conductor's baton, cloud service providers are the symphony – vast, powerful, and ready to perform. Whether you’re spinning up instances in AWS, networking in Azure, or databasing in GCP, Terraform scripts are the sheet music for your cloud performance. Just strike up the band and watch as your configurations turn cacophonous resource provisioning into harmonious melodies.

   
   

   resource "aws_vpc" "main" {
     cidr_block = "10.0.0.0/16"
   }

   
   



5. 
   

   Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Tools Comparison (Pulumi, CloudFormation)

   
   

   While Terraform reigns supreme in the IaC kingdom, a court of competitors like Pulumi and CloudFormation vie for the crown. Pulumi speaks your favorite programming language, letting you whisper sweet nothings to your infrastructure using actual code. CloudFormation, Amazon's loyal knight, valiantly automates AWS resource dance moves. Knowing the strengths and party tricks of each can elevate your IaC waltz to a full-on boogie.

   
   



6. 
   

   Monitoring & Logging Tools (Datadog, Splunk)

   
   

   Monitoring tools like Datadog and Splunk are your infrastructure's babysitters, keeping an eagle eye on them while you're away. They ensure your setups don't throw wild parties, alerting you if the CPU usage spikes from doing the Macarena or if the memory consumption gets out of control trying to beatbox. Groove to the rhythm of your metrics and logs as these tools lay down the beat.

   
   



7. 
   

   Container Orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker)

   
   

   Kubernetes is the grand puppet master of containers, skillfully orchestrating your Docker darlings across a stage of servers. It ensures each container plays its part seamlessly, whether it's the prima donna front-end or the sturdy back-end bass. Combined with Terraform, deploying these container performances becomes as smooth as a Broadway show tune.

   
   



8. 
   

   Configuration Management Tools (Ansible, Chef)

   
   

   Imagine your infrastructure as unruly hair, and Configuration Management tools are the combs and gels bringing it to a slick pompadour. Ansible scripts are like gentle strokes, soothing your servers into uniformity. Chef, with its recipes and cookbooks, whips up a gourmet dish of automated settings. Terraform lays the canvas, and these tools paint the final polish.

   
   



9. 
   

   Scripting Languages (Bash, Python)

   
   

   Scripting languages are your Swiss Army knife in a jungle of tasks. Need to automate a chore? Bash it. Want to parse some complex output? Python it. When your Terraform deployment scripts need that extra sprinkle of logic or a dollop of decision-making, these tried and true comrades are ready to jump into the fray, torches blazing!

   
   

   # Bash script to initialize Terraform
   terraform init
   terraform plan -out=tfplan
   terraform apply "tfplan"

   
   



10. 
    

    Terraform Modules and Registries

    
    

    Terraform modules are like Lego blocks for cloud architecture, snapping together to create infrastructural masterpieces. With modules, repetition becomes a relic. Simply piece together pre-configured constructs, and you're well on your way to build whatever your heart desires, from a cloudy fortress to a server village. And the Terraform Registry? It's the toy store shelves stocked with every module under the sun – ready for your grabbing.