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