Azure Administrator
Validates skills in managing Azure identities, storage, compute, virtual networks, and monitoring in enterprise environments.
Full guide →AWS ML Engineer Associate
Validates ability to build, train, tune, and deploy ML models on AWS using SageMaker and other AWS AI services.
Full guide →Azure Administrator vs AWS ML Engineer Associate
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | Azure Administrator | AWS ML Engineer Associate |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $165 USD | ✓$150 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$15,000/yr | ✓+$18,000/yr |
| Passing score | 700/1000 | 720/1000 |
| Exam duration | 100 min | 130 min |
| Renewal period | Every 1 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | Microsoft | Amazon Web Services |
| Difficulty |
Azure Administrator
AZ-900 recommended, 6 months Azure administration experience
AWS ML Engineer Associate
AWS Cloud Practitioner or equivalent + basic ML knowledge recommended
- You have hands-on cloud experience and want to move into engineering or architecture
- You want a potential +$15,000/yr salary uplift
- Your role involves managing cloud identity, storage, networking, and compute day-to-day
- You have ML or data experience and want to validate practical, hands-on skills
- You want a potential +$18,000/yr salary uplift
- You build, train, and deploy ML models in production environments
Azure Administrator and AWS ML Engineer Associate 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 Azure Administrator — it's the quicker win at the intermediate level.
Best Azure Administrator courses
Best AWS ML Engineer Associate courses
Is Azure Administrator harder than AWS ML Engineer Associate?
Both Azure Administrator and AWS ML Engineer Associate are rated intermediate difficulty.
Which pays more — Azure Administrator or AWS ML Engineer Associate?
Azure Administrator has an average salary uplift of +$15,000/yr, while AWS ML Engineer Associate has +$18,000/yr. AWS ML Engineer Associate has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — Azure Administrator or AWS ML Engineer Associate?
Azure Administrator is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward AWS ML Engineer Associate.
Can I get both Azure Administrator and AWS ML Engineer Associate?
Yes — many professionals hold both. Azure Administrator and AWS ML Engineer Associate 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 — Azure Administrator or AWS ML Engineer Associate?
Both are worth it in 2026. Azure Administrator offers a +$15,000/yr average salary uplift; AWS ML Engineer Associate offers +$18,000/yr. AWS ML Engineer Associate has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.