Decoding AWS Certifications: Find your perfect fit from 12 options. Optimize team skills for cloud success. Get started now!

Introduction 

Amazon has historically been the trailblazer in the realm of public cloud computing, thanks to its Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform and its relentless commitment to innovation. AWS was a pioneer in offering role-based certifications, setting the standard long before Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) caught up.

It’s widely acknowledged that AWS’s architectural influence has left an indelible mark on the design and development of both Azure and GCP, sparking a wave of enthusiasm and transformation in the cloud industry.

The significance of choosing AWS certifications 

As businesses increasingly embrace the potential of the public cloud, cloud computing has transformed from a convenient asset to an absolute must-have skill within the corporate landscape. 

This transformation necessitates the acquisition of fresh skill sets for the effective design, deployment, and administration of cloud-based applications.

With its well-established position as the top market leader and the most seasoned player in the cloud computing arena, AWS stands out as a beacon of innovation and a benchmark for all its competitors, according to industry experts like Gartner. 

In fact, AWS remains the vanguard in the adoption of public cloud solutions, currently offering a comprehensive array of 12 certifications encompassing foundational as well as specialized topics in cloud computing.

Brief overview of 12 AWS certifications 

Earning an AWS certification signifies that you possess some of the most sought-after (and lucrative) competencies, as endorsed by one of the most renowned names in the realm of cloud computing. 

In the corporate world, certification stands as a testament to a collective understanding of a platform, a shared vocabulary, and a specific degree of proficiency in cloud technology, expediting the realization of value in cloud-related endeavors.

At present, AWS provides a total of 12 certifications, encompassing a foundational certification, three associate-level certifications, two professional-level certifications, and a diverse array of six specialty certifications.

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01)
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate (DVA-C02)
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03)
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (DOP-C02)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP-C02)
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty (ANS-C01)
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C01)
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty (MLS-C01)
• AWS Certified Database – Specialty (DBS-C01)
• AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty (DAS-C01)
• AWS Certified SAP on AWS – Specialty (PAS-C01)

Candidate certifications vs Employer certifications

Balancing a full-time job and various other obligations typically means dedicating around 80 hours to your studies, a timeframe that typically spans two months. For those entering the world of AWS with no prior experience, we recommend allocating roughly 120 hours, which translates to approximately three months of preparation. 

Begin your journey by mastering the fundamentals, and then transition to the Solutions Architect – Associate Learning Path.

Candidate certifications

AWS certifications are notable for their meticulous assessment of a candidate’s expertise, placing a strong emphasis on practical experience and industry best practices. For executives overseeing IT teams, pursuing AWS certification can prove highly effective in strengthening foundational knowledge and skills required for working with AWS services and solutions in the future.

It also serves as a valuable benchmarking tool for assessing the proficiency of the more advanced members within your team.

Employer certifications

Within the corporate landscape, the primary training materials employed for AWS certifications play a pivotal role in an organization’s internal training trajectory. As IT landscapes become increasingly tailored and the need for new skill sets expands, a growing number of enterprises are developing their own certification programs. 

A significant proportion of these organizations are combining vendor certification training pathways with their in-house training resources to create certification programs tailored precisely to their unique business requirements.

Take a look through 12 AWS certifications 

Amazon organizes its certifications into tiers, a pattern also observed in Microsoft and Google certification programs. Although Amazon suggests specific lengths of experience for each tier, there are no official prerequisites for any AWS certification.

• Foundational: Amazon recommends having approximately six months of experience with AWS Cloud.
• Associate: It’s advised to have around one year of experience dealing with AWS Cloud-related issues.
• Professional: Amazon suggests a recommended two years of extensive experience in designing AWS Cloud environments.
• Specialty: Amazon recommends a substantial background of expertise, ideally spanning three to five years, in the realm of crafting AWS Cloud environments.

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Foundational)

If you’re new to AWS or preparing for your first AWS certification, the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the ideal choice. This entry-level certification is designed to evaluate your overall understanding of the AWS cloud. 

Notably, the Cloud Practitioner certification is both the most concise and budget-friendly option among AWS certifications.

To qualify for this certification exam, candidates should meet the following criteria:

• Possess foundational knowledge of IT services and solutions, along with an understanding of their application within the AWS platform.
• Have a minimum of six months of practical experience working with AWS cloud in roles related to sales, management, procurement, technical, or financial domains.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: Consists of multiple-choice and multiple-response questions.
• Duration: The exam lasts for 90 minutes.
• Cost: The examination fee is $100 USD.

Topics Included:

• Grasping fundamental AWS architectural principles
• Recognizing the advantages of the AWS cloud
• Key AWS services and their typical applications
• Foundational insights into security and compliance, including the shared security responsibility model
• Embracing core principles related to deployment and operations
• Understanding the dynamics of cloud costs, economics, and billing practices

On average, individuals holding an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification can anticipate an annual salary falling within the range of $90,512 to $113,932.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate)

The AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA) certification covers similar services as the Cloud Practitioner certification but goes into much greater detail. Many of these in-depth topics also appear in the SysOps Associate and Developer Associate certifications. Consequently, beginning your certification journey with the SAA certification will give you a head start when it comes to preparing for those exams.

Among tech team leaders, this certification stands as the most widely embraced AWS certification, primarily due to its capacity to establish a robust AWS cloud computing groundwork. 

When it comes to assessing potential new hires, it serves as concrete evidence that the certificate holder possesses the necessary skills to effectively design, deploy, and manage applications on the AWS platform.

To be eligible for this certification exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• A minimum of 1 year of practical experience in designing and implementing applications on the AWS platform.
• Proficiency in at least one high-level programming language, along with the capability to identify application requirements, establish best practices for securing AWS applications, and deploy hybrid systems incorporating AWS components.

Exam Details:

• Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-response questions.
• Duration: The exam spans 130 minutes.
• Cost: The examination fee amounts to $150 USD.

Topics included: 

• Network technologies and their functionality within the AWS environment.
• Understanding the functioning of AWS-based applications and the connectivity of client interfaces with the AWS platform.
• Proficiency in constructing secure and dependable applications on AWS.
• Mastery in deploying hybrid systems, which involve a combination of on-premises data centers and AWS components.

The examination domains include the design of highly available, scalable, and high-performance systems, demanding a strong familiarity with AWS infrastructure and concepts, implementation and deployment in AWS, best practices in AWS-related data security, and strategies for optimizing costs.

Individuals holding an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate level certification typically earn an annual income averaging around $117,773.

AWS Certified Developer (Associate)

The AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam revolves around the creation and upkeep of AWS-driven applications. This entails the necessity to have proficiency in coding, enabling you to utilize AWS software effectively to integrate AWS applications seamlessly into your customized business applications.

To be eligible for the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam, candidates must meet specific prerequisites:

• A solid understanding of AWS architecture, comprehensive knowledge of AWS services, and their practical applications.
• Proficiency in using the AWS platform to design, create, and deploy cloud-based applications is essential. This includes applications designed for Amazon SNS, SQS, SWS, DynamoDB, S3, CloudFormation, and Elastic Beanstalk.
• Competency in at least one high-level programming language.
• A minimum of one year of hands-on experience in designing and maintaining AWS-based cloud applications.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: A mix of multiple-choice and multiple-response questions.
• Exam Duration: 130 minutes.
• Exam Cost: $150 USD.

Topics Included: 

• Gaining insight into the fundamental AWS architecture and the essential AWS services.
• Practical hands-on expertise in designing, developing, deploying, debugging, and managing applications.
• Proficiency in working with applications that leverage critical AWS services, including databases, notification systems, workflow tools, and storage and change management services.

On average, individuals holding this certification can expect an annual salary of approximately $158,777 USD.

Earning the AWS Developer certification provides you with a well-rounded understanding that can significantly benefit your pursuit of the DevOps Professional certification. 

Furthermore, it offers a valuable chance to delve deeper into services like AWS Lambda and DynamoDB, which play a prominent role across various AWS cloud certifications.

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator (Associate)

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam is designed exclusively for system administrators. 

Successfully clearing this examination necessitates a combination of technical proficiency and a solid grasp of the operational facets of the AWS platform. Having prior experience as a Linux or Windows administrator would be advantageous.

In order to qualify for the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam, you must meet the following prerequisites:

• A minimum of one year of practical experience in operating and managing applications deployed on the AWS platform.
• Be capable of offering guidance on the deployment and operation of applications on AWS, as well as identifying and implementing best practices throughout the entire project lifecycle. 
• You should also understand how to operate, provision, and maintain systems built on AWS.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-response, and Exam Lab. The Exam Lab includes a scenario with a set of tasks to be performed in the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI.
• Duration: 180 minutes to complete the exam.
• Cost: The exam fee is $150 USD.

Topics Included:

• Deploying applications on the AWS platform using distributed architectures.
• Transmitting and receiving data between data centers and multi-VPC architectures.
• Choosing the right AWS services to fulfill an organization’s requirements.
• Setting up, overseeing, and safeguarding systems within an AWS environment.

On an annual basis, those who hold an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification typically earn around $159,767.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Professional)

Undoubtedly, one of the most challenging AWS certifications out there. An accomplished AWS architect is an individual capable of assessing an organization’s needs and offering architectural recommendations for the efficient deployment and implementation of applications on the AWS platform.

In order to qualify for this certification exam, candidates are required to meet the following criteria:

• Possess a minimum of 2 years of practical experience in designing and implementing AWS-based cloud architectures.
• Demonstrate the ability to suggest appropriate services for designing, provisioning, and deploying applications on AWS.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the best practices involved in implementing AWS application architectures.
• Exhibit expertise in a high-level programming language.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: The exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions.
• Duration: The examination lasts for 180 minutes.
• Cost: The fee for the exam is $300 USD.

Topics included: 

• Guidelines for designing scalable applications on AWS with best practices.
• Choosing the appropriate AWS service that aligns with an application’s requirements, ensuring high availability, fault tolerance, and reliability.
• Migrating complex application systems to AWS with a multi-tier architecture approach.
• Expertise in strategies for optimizing costs.

As an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, you can expect an annual salary ranging from $136,500 USD to $198,500 USD.

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (Professional)

The DevOps Engineer certification centers on the tasks of setting up, running, and overseeing applications on the AWS platform. This examination places significant emphasis on continuous delivery (CD) and process automation, which are fundamental pillars of the DevOps philosophy.

To be eligible for the AWS Certified DevOps – Professional exam as a DevOps Engineer, candidates are required to meet specific qualifications, which include:

• Having a minimum of two years of practical experience in provisioning, managing, and operating applications deployed in an AWS environment.
• Proficiency in coding using a high-level programming language.
• Familiarity with automation and testing through scripting and programming languages, along with expertise in various development processes and methodologies such as Agile.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: The exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions.
• Duration: The examination lasts for 180 minutes.
• Cost: The exam fee is $300 USD

Topics included: 

• Fundamentals of contemporary Continuous Delivery (CD) methodologies.
• Strategies for implementing and overseeing CD systems effectively.
• Configuration, monitoring, security measures, and logging systems establishment on the AWS platform.
• The implementation of highly accessible, scalable, and self-recovering systems on AWS.
• Designing and overseeing tools for streamlining production operation automation.

The average annual salary for an AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional is $137,724.

AWS Certified Data Analytics (Specialty)

The AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty certification is intended for individuals with a background in data analytics who have practical experience in designing and architecting big data solutions using AWS services. 

Its purpose is to validate a candidate’s expertise in harnessing the potential of data through the use of AWS services.

To be eligible for the AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty exam, candidates must meet specific prerequisites:

• Possess a minimum of 5 years of practical experience in the field of data analytics.
• Demonstrate proficiency in designing and developing resilient, scalable, and cost-effective data processing architectures.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of how to define and structure AWS big data services within the data lifecycle, including data collection, ingestion, storage, processing, and visualization.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: The exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions.
• Duration: The examination duration is 180 minutes.
• Cost: The examination fee is $300 USD.

Topics included: 

• Best practices in architecting core AWS big data services.
• Designing, managing, and presenting data effectively.
• Utilizing AWS tools for automating data analysis.
• Implementing security best practices for data analytics solutions.
• AWS offerings encompass Kinesis, Athena, Quicksight, and Rekognition among the included services.

An individual holding an AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty certification can potentially earn an annual salary of up to $123,909.

AWS Certified Advanced Networking (Specialty) 

This certification serves as validation for your ability to effectively utilize hybrid IT networking architecture alongside the AWS platform to handle complex networking tasks. 

To excel in this exam, candidates should possess hands-on experience in implementing and designing network solutions, along with expertise in utilizing AWS for networking purposes.

To be eligible for the AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty exam, candidates must meet certain criteria:

• A minimum of 5 years of practical experience in designing and implementing network solutions.
• Proficiency in understanding concepts and technologies employed in AWS networking.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: The exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions.
• Duration: The exam has a duration of 170 minutes.
• Cost: The examination fee is $300 USD.

Topics Included: 

• Creating, building, and rolling out cloud solutions using AWS.
• Implementing core services in alignment with architectural best practices.
• Automating AWS tasks related to network deployments.
• Designing and implementing security and compliance measures.
• Enhancing network performance and resolving issues.

Professionals with an AWS Certified Networking specialization have the potential to earn an annual salary of up to $161,065.

AWS Certified Security (Specialty)

As a tech manager, you’re likely aware that security poses a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of cloud technology. 

Regarding the certification itself, the AWS Certified Security – Specialty credential delves into essential subjects that security professionals and teams must master. It encompasses security fundamentals, best practices, and in-depth knowledge of key services specific to the AWS platform.

This certification aims to validate your AWS expertise in various security domains, including data protection and encryption, infrastructure security, incident response, identity and access management, as well as monitoring and logging.

To qualify for the AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Have a minimum of 5 years of experience working in IT security roles, with a focus on designing and implementing security solutions.
• Possess 2 or more years of practical experience in securing AWS workloads and a solid understanding of the use of security controls in AWS environments.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: The exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions.
• Duration: The exam lasts for 170 minutes.
• Cost: The examination fee is $300 USD.

Covered Areas:

• Utilizing a range of AWS services to determine the optimal security level for your deployments, considering the sensitivity of your data.
• Choosing the most suitable data protection methods, including encryption mechanisms.
• Deploying logging and monitoring solutions to identify and analyze security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in your infrastructure.

Key AWS services covered in this certification encompass AWS Identity and Access Management, AWS CloudTrail, AWS Config, Amazon Inspector, AWS Trusted Advisor, Amazon GuardDuty, Amazon CloudWatch, and Amazon Key Management Service.

Professionals who hold the AWS Certified Security – Specialty credential can anticipate an annual salary of $142,155.

AWS Certified Machine Learning (Specialty)

The AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty certification confirms your capacity to develop, deploy, and manage machine learning solutions tailored to various business challenges. It is suitable for individuals involved in roles related to development or data science. 

To be eligible for this certification, you must meet the following requirements:

• Possess 1 to 2 years of hands-on experience in using the AWS cloud to implement Machine Learning and deep learning concepts.
• Have a background in software development and data science.

Exam Details:

• Exam Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions.
• Duration: The exam is 180 minutes long.
• Cost: The examination fee is $300 USD.

Covered areas: 

• The process of choosing and substantiating the optimal machine learning approach for a specific business problem.
• Identifying the relevant AWS solutions to construct and implement your machine learning solution.
• Crafting and executing cost-effective, scalable, reliable, and secure machine learning solutions.

The typical yearly salary for this certification is $142,000 USD.

AWS Certified Database (Specialty)

The AWS Certified Database – Specialty certification confirms your comprehensive understanding of all AWS database services and your ability to leverage them effectively for optimized database integration and architecture to benefit your organization. 

This certification is intended for individuals closely engaged in database management and the implementation of database solutions.

The AWS Certified Database – Specialty certification affirms your proficiency in crafting and managing AWS database solutions tailored to specific needs.

It’s advisable to have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in database technologies, with at least 2 years of hands-on AWS experience, including working with AWS Cloud-based relational and non-relational databases.

Exam Details: 

• Type: Multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions
• Duration: 180 minutes
• Fee: $300 USD

Covered Topics:

• Database Design
• Deployment and Migration
• Management and Operations
• Monitoring and Troubleshooting
• Security

Professionals holding this certification typically earn an average annual salary of $146,127 USD.

AWS Certified SAP on AWS (Specialty)

The most recent AWS specialty certification is the AWS Certified SAP on AWS – Specialty, launched in April 2022. This certification is tailored for those seeking to showcase essential expertise in SAP solutions and the operation of SAP workloads within the AWS Cloud.

Before attempting this exam, we recommend that you meet the following prerequisites:

• Accumulate a minimum of five years of experience with SAP.
• Gain at least one year of practical experience working with SAP on the AWS platform.
• Demonstrate the ability to design an SAP solution that operates within the AWS Cloud, in alignment with the best practices outlined in the AWS Well-Architected Framework, and also complies with SAP certification and support requirements.

Exam Details:

• Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions
• Duration: 180 minutes
• Cost: $300 USD

Topics Addressed:

• Designing an SAP solution that functions within the AWS Cloud, aligning with the AWS Well-Architected Framework and fulfilling SAP certification and support prerequisites.
• Implementing fresh SAP workloads on the AWS platform.
• Migrating pre-existing SAP workloads to AWS.
• Efficiently managing SAP workloads on AWS.

Conclusion 

In summary, AWS offers a diverse range of 12 specialized certifications, catering to a wide spectrum of cloud expertise. Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or a team leader, there’s a certification tailored to your needs.

These certifications not only validate your skills but also open doors to exciting career opportunities in the ever-evolving world of cloud computing. So, dive into the AWS certification ecosystem, find your perfect fit, and embark on a journey of professional growth and innovation in the digital era.