The competition, AWS vs. Azure, is tough, considering that both of these are the top cloud computing platforms and people all across the world use them heavily. They both have their strengths and are equally as beneficial for their respective users.

If you’re confused about AWS vs Azure certification or wondering which cloud certification is best for your career, this guide will help you make the right choice.

But while choosing between AWS vs. Azure, in terms of cloud certification, it is necessary to single out one preference, whether it is Azure certification or AWS certification, as you will be selecting your career path based on these cloud computing certifications. Excelling in any of these certifications, Azure certification or AWS certification, will lead you towards a successful future, but to help you choose one, we have listed some important points that one must remember when they want to go for either of the two cloud computing certifications.

Both options are part of the most popular cloud computing certifications and are ideal for beginners entering the cloud domain.

Let’s first start with AWS certification benefits :

If one goes for the AWS certification, they know that it is one of the most in-demand cloud computing platforms, which helps organizations to effectively manage their businesses and applications by using the beneficial services and features provided by AWS. Leading companies like Hulu, Netflix, Expedia, and Spotify use AWS, as it provides a variety of features and is a reliable platform. 

Following a structured AWS certification path can help you build a strong foundation and grow in your cloud career.

Let’s discuss the AWS Certification Levels—

AWS offers four levels of certification, which are based on different job roles and expertise, and they are judged on the basis of their levels to know how skillful a professional is. 

  1. Foundational level – All the fresh Cloud Computing Certification holders who have just commenced their journey in this field. 
  2. Associate level – When individuals gain some knowledge about this field and are at an intermediate level with a cloud computing certification, they fall under this level. 
  3. Professional level – The experts in this field are usually of this level in AWS, and mostly are centred around being a Solution’s Architect, Developer, or even a SysOps Administrator.
  4. Specialty – The final and the most skilled level of AWS, where the experts are to choose a distinct domain in-depth.

Individuals pursuing the Cloud Certification, or the AWS certification, will be distributed among these categories, which will then decide their level of performance and knowledge and will determine the job positions and the salaries given to them. It goes without saying that the more skilled you are, the more likely you are to get a good salary and position. 

These levels clearly define the AWS certification path for beginners to advanced professionals.

Some AWS Certifications that you can go for are

AWS has a wide range of cloud computing certifications that one can go for. You can choose what is best for you and matches your interests and then go for a few of these. 

  1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 
  2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
  3. AWS Certified Developer – Associate
  4. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator 
  5. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional 
  6. AWS Certified Security – Speciality 
  7. AWS Certified Machine Learning – Speciality
  8. AWS Certified Database – Speciality 
  9. AWS Certified Data Analytics – Speciality 
  10. AWS Certified SAP on AWS – Speciality 
  11. AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Speciality 
  12. AWS Solutions Architect – Professional 

These are among the top cloud certifications for beginners and professionals targeting high-paying roles.

One can select the Cloud certifications they think they can ace and are interested in pursuing. The AWS vs. Azure comparison is undoubtedly incomplete without the soft skills that one needs to get any of the certifications or jobs.

They key skills that one needs except for being a Cloud Certification holder, are:

  • Communication 
  • Programming Languages 
  • Networks
  • Problem Solving
  • Observation 
  • Cloud Security 

The Jobs with their respective salaries in the US : 

Choosing between AWS vs. Azure will be easier by knowing the different jobs and their salaries.

  1. AWS Developer – $104,000 per year 
  2. AWS SysOps Administrator – $111,000 per year
  3. AWS Associate Solutions Architect – $117,000 per year
  4. AWS DevOps Engineer – $123,000 per year

This clearly highlights the demand and growth in AWS vs Azure salary across cloud roles.

Let’s move on to the Azure Certification perks – 

In this AWS vs. Azure race, Azure is not far behind. The Azure Certification is just as important and will land you the perfect job for your successful future. A lot of organizations are preferring to use Azure between AWS vs. Azure and that’s why the job postings are also on a rise which has increased the demand for candidates who have bagged the Azure Certification.

Following the right Azure certification path can help you secure high-paying cloud jobs.

Azure Certifications – 

  • Fundamental-level cloud certifications –
  1. Microsoft Certified : Azure Fundamentals Exam AZ-900
  2. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals – Exam AI-900
  3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals – Exam DP-900
  4. Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals – Exam SC-900
  • Microsoft Azure Associate – level certification –
  1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate – Exam AZ-104
  2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate – Exam AZ-204
  3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate – Exam AZ-500
  4. Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate – Exam AZ-700
  5. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate – Exam AI-102
  6. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate – Exam DP-100
  7. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate – Exam DP-203
  8. Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate – Exam DP-300
  9. Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate – Exam SC-200
  10. Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate – Exam SC-300
  • Microsoft Azure Expert level certifications –
  1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert – Exam AZ-305
  2. Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert – Exam AZ-400
  • Microsoft Azure Speciality Certifications – 
  1. Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty – Exam AZ-120
  2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty – Exam AZ-140
  3. Microsoft Certified: Azure loT Developer Specialty – Exam AZ-220

These certifications form a complete azure certification path for beginners to advanced professionals.

Microsoft Azure Jobs and Salaries in the US –

Choosing between AWS vs. Azure will be easier by knowing the different jobs and their salaries.

  1. Software Engineer – $90,915 per year
  2. System’s Administrator – $70,581 per year
  3. Senior Software Engineer – $118,927 per year
  4. Cloud Solutions Architect – $130,947 per year
  5. DevOps Engineer – $101,815 per year

This comparison helps you understand real-world AWS vs Azure salary trends.

Conclusion

The AWS vs. Azure competition is ongoing, but that is because they are equally as good and beneficial for a student’s career. One can choose between AWS vs. Azure by going through the above-listed points to know which Cloud Computing Certification is the most suitable for a candidate.

In this AWS vs. Azure war, always go for what matches your liking and what job profile you prefer. When comparing AWS vs Azure certifications, your choice should depend on your career goals and preferred cloud platform.