Azure Administrator
Validates skills in managing Azure identities, storage, compute, virtual networks, and monitoring in enterprise environments.
Full guide →AWS Solutions Architect Associate
The most sought-after cloud certification — covers designing resilient, high-performing, cost-optimised AWS architectures.
Full guide →Azure Administrator vs AWS Solutions Architect Associate
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | Azure Administrator | AWS Solutions Architect Associate |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | ✓$165 USD | $300 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 Solutions Architect Associate
AWS Cloud Practitioner recommended, 1 year hands-on AWS experience
- 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 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
Both are at the intermediate level in cloud computing. AWS Solutions Architect Associate carries the higher salary impact (+$18,000/yr vs +$15,000/yr), making it the stronger long-term investment. Choose Azure Administrator if you prefer credentials from Microsoft or need a faster, lower-cost path.
Best Azure Administrator courses
Best AWS Solutions Architect Associate courses
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.
Can I get both Azure Administrator and AWS Solutions Architect Associate?
Yes — many professionals hold both. Azure Administrator and AWS Solutions Architect Associate complement each other within cloud computing. 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 Solutions Architect Associate?
Both are worth it in 2026. Azure Administrator offers a +$15,000/yr average salary uplift; AWS Solutions Architect Associate offers +$18,000/yr. AWS Solutions Architect Associate has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.