Confused About AEM Career Roles and Future Scope – Is It a Right Career Choice?

[RohitKu17]

Hi everyone,

I'm a recent college graduate exploring the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) space, and I’m finding it difficult to get clear answers to a few questions that are bothering me.

1. Which AEM-related role is expected to be the most in-demand in the near future?
Some of the common roles I’ve come across are

• AEM Author

• AEM Front-End Developer

• AEM Back-End Developer

• AEM Full-Stack Developer

2. What is the proper roadmap to becoming an AEM developer?
Apart from Adobe’s official documentation, I haven’t been able to find good learning resources. Most video tutorials are either outdated or scattered across the internet with no clear structure for beginners.

3. Is there really a promising future in the AEM field?
I’ve noticed that most AEM communities seem inactive. Whenever I post a question, barely one or two people respond. This makes me wonder whether the AEM ecosystem is growing or not.

My main concern is
Is choosing AEM as a long-term career path a wise decision?
Are there enough growth opportunities in this domain?

If any experienced AEM professionals could share their thoughts, it would be a great help.

Thank you in advance!

[arunpatidar · Accepted solution]

Hi @RohitKu17 

Here’s my take:

If you’re technically strong, you should consider roles as either an AEM Backend Developer or an AEM Frontend Developer.

That said, the learning curve for AEM Backend is quite steep—it often takes years to become proficient. Additionally, Adobe is shifting focus with offerings like Adobe Edge Delivery Services, which are designed as a lightweight, frontend-centric alternative to traditional AEM backend development. While not a direct replacement, Edge Delivery simplifies the content delivery model and is gradually reducing the need for complex backend implementations.

Many clients are also raising concerns about the high cost of AEM, which is another driver behind the transition to more scalable, cloud-based, and cost-effective solutions like Edge Delivery.

My suggestion: Start exploring Adobe Edge Delivery Services. It’s easier to pick up, aligns well with frontend skills, and allows faster development and deployment. From there, you can also branch into cloud technologies and generative AI, which are both highly relevant and shaping the future of digital experiences.

[ButhpurKiran]

Best Role: AEM Full-Stack Developer

Roadmap: Learn Java + Web Dev → AEM Core Concepts → Practice Projects → Go Deep → Optional Certs

Future: Solid career path with good pay in enterprise settings, though it’s niche and community activity is low.