AWS Solutions Architect Associate vs Azure Administrator
Which certification is right for your career? Here's the full breakdown.
Amazon Web Services
AWS Solutions Architect Associate
SAA-C03
The most sought-after cloud certification — covers designing resilient, high-performing, cost-optimised AWS architectures.
Full guide →Microsoft
Azure Administrator
AZ-104
Validates skills in managing Azure identities, storage, compute, virtual networks, and monitoring in enterprise environments.
Full guide →Side-by-side comparison
| Category | AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Azure Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $300 USD | ✓$165 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | ✓+$18,000/yr | +$15,000/yr |
| Exam duration | 130 min | 100 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 1 years |
| Issued by | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
AWS Solutions Architect Associate — Prerequisites
AWS Cloud Practitioner recommended, 1 year hands-on AWS experience
Azure Administrator — Prerequisites
AZ-900 recommended, 6 months Azure administration experience
Get AWS Solutions Architect Associate if…
- •You have 2–3 years of IT experience and want to specialise
- •You want a +$18,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from Amazon Web Services
Get Azure Administrator if…
- •You have 2–3 years of IT experience and want to specialise
- •You want a +$15,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from Microsoft
Best AWS Solutions Architect Associate courses
Best Azure Administrator courses
Frequently asked questions
Is AWS Solutions Architect Associate harder than Azure Administrator?
Both AWS Solutions Architect Associate and Azure Administrator are rated intermediate difficulty.
Which pays more — AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Azure Administrator?
AWS Solutions Architect Associate has an average salary uplift of +$18,000/yr, while Azure Administrator has +$15,000/yr. AWS Solutions Architect Associate has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Azure Administrator?
AWS Solutions Architect Associate is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward Azure Administrator.