Azure Administrator
Validates skills in managing Azure identities, storage, compute, virtual networks, and monitoring in enterprise environments.
Full guide →PMI-ACP
PMI's agile certification covering Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and SAFe — ideal for PMs transitioning to agile delivery.
Full guide →Azure Administrator vs PMI-ACP
Which certification is right for your career?
Full comparison
| Category | Azure Administrator | PMI-ACP |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | ✓$165 USD | $495 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | +$15,000/yr | +$15,000/yr |
| Passing score | 700/1000 | 70/1000 |
| Exam duration | 100 min | 180 min |
| Renewal period | Every 1 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | Microsoft | PMI |
| Difficulty |
Azure Administrator
AZ-900 recommended, 6 months Azure administration experience
PMI-ACP
2,000 hours general project experience + 1,500 hours agile experience + 21 hours agile education
- 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 PM experience and want to formalise agile or multi-methodology skills
- You want a potential +$15,000/yr salary uplift
- You manage delivery across Scrum, Kanban, Lean, or SAFe environments
Azure Administrator and PMI-ACP lead to entirely different careers — cloud computing vs project management. 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 PMI-ACP courses
Is Azure Administrator harder than PMI-ACP?
Both Azure Administrator and PMI-ACP are rated intermediate difficulty.
Which pays more — Azure Administrator or PMI-ACP?
Azure Administrator has an average salary uplift of +$15,000/yr, while PMI-ACP has +$15,000/yr. Azure Administrator has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — Azure Administrator or PMI-ACP?
Azure Administrator is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward PMI-ACP.
Can I get both Azure Administrator and PMI-ACP?
Yes — many professionals hold both. Azure Administrator and PMI-ACP complement each other, covering cloud computing and project management 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 PMI-ACP?
Both are worth it in 2026. Azure Administrator offers a +$15,000/yr average salary uplift; PMI-ACP offers +$15,000/yr. Azure Administrator has the higher salary ceiling — making it the stronger ROI if you can only choose one.