AWS Solutions Architect Associate
The most sought-after cloud certification — covers designing resilient, high-performing, cost-optimised AWS architectures.
Full guide →Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer
Advanced Google Cloud certification for designing and building ML models that scale — covers MLOps, Vertex AI, and responsible AI.
Full guide →AWS Solutions Architect Associate vs Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $300 USD | ✓$200 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$18,000/yr | ✓+$22,000/yr |
| Passing score | 720/1000 | 700/1000 |
| Exam duration | 130 min | 120 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 2 years |
| Issued by | Amazon Web Services | Google Cloud |
| Difficulty |
AWS Solutions Architect Associate
AWS Cloud Practitioner recommended, 1 year hands-on AWS experience
Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer
3+ years industry experience + 1 year Google Cloud experience + ML background
- You have hands-on cloud experience and want to move into engineering or architecture
- You want a potential +$18,000/yr salary uplift
- You want to design and optimise cloud architectures, not just operate them
- You're an experienced ML engineer targeting senior MLOps or research roles
- You want a potential +$22,000/yr salary uplift
- You build, train, and deploy ML models in production environments
AWS Solutions Architect Associate and Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer lead to entirely different careers — cloud computing vs AI and machine learning. The right choice depends on which field aligns with your current job or target role. If you want both eventually, start with AWS Solutions Architect Associate — it's the quicker win at the intermediate level.
Best AWS Solutions Architect Associate courses
Best Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer courses
Is AWS Solutions Architect Associate harder than Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer?
Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer is harder — rated advanced vs intermediate.
Which pays more — AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer?
AWS Solutions Architect Associate has an average salary uplift of +$18,000/yr, while Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer has +$22,000/yr. Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer?
AWS Solutions Architect Associate is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer.
Can I get both AWS Solutions Architect Associate and Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer?
Yes — many professionals hold both. AWS Solutions Architect Associate and Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer complement each other, covering cloud computing and AI and machine learning respectively. Holding both signals broader expertise and typically commands a higher salary than either cert alone.
Which is worth it in 2026 — AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer?
Both are worth it in 2026. AWS Solutions Architect Associate offers a +$18,000/yr average salary uplift; Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer offers +$22,000/yr. Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.