Azure Certification Salary: Unlock Career Advancement Opportunities

If you're looking to boost your career prospects and increase your earning potential, obtaining Azure certification is a great place to start. Holding an Azure certification can significantly boost your salary, with certified professionals earning an average of $141,000 per year.

Having a strong foundation in cloud computing is essential for success in this field, and Azure certification demonstrates that you have the skills and knowledge to design, implement, and manage cloud-based solutions.

Microsoft Azure offers a wide range of certifications, each with its own specific focus and requirements. The most in-demand certifications include the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate and the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert.

Azure certifications provide cloud professionals with an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a person’s expertise in a specific skill set.

These certifications are available at different levels that reflect your years of experience, making it easier to choose certifications that map directly onto a specific type of IT or cloud career.

The Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification validates the skills required to manage Azure cloud services, including storage, security, networking, and computing.

It is ideal for IT professionals responsible for monitoring, managing, and optimising Azure environments, demonstrating expertise in handling Azure resources and services efficiently.

This certification is valuable in organisations migrating to or managing cloud infrastructure, making it a sought-after skill in the industry.

Getting Azure certification can offer a range of benefits, including the potential to earn a higher salary. With Azure certification, you'll have the skills and knowledge to take on more senior roles and advance your career.

Azure certification provides the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the expectations of the IT field you're interested in pursuing. This will make you a more competitive candidate in a high-demand job market.

Having Azure certification can lead to more flexible career options, allowing you to choose from a variety of roles and industries. This is because Azure is one of the most popular cloud platforms used by businesses across the world.

Gaining Azure certification will also demonstrate your expertise in Azure's different components and features, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers. This is especially important, as businesses look for candidates with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful members of their IT team.

You can advance your career with Azure certification, which is one of the most sought-after certifications in IT right now. Azure certifications can help you land a better job or move into a higher position within your company.

According to Global Knowledge, the salaries of certified IT professionals are 8% higher than the pay of non-certified pros. 35% of people reported a wage increase after earning a certification, according to testing company Pearson VUE.

Azure certifications enable you to pursue a wide range of career options, including cloud architect, developer, or solution architect. You can work in various industries at different locations, such as healthcare, finance, or entertainment.

Some job roles and their average salaries are:

These figures are just averages, and your salary can vary depending on your location, industry, role, and certification(s). However, certified pros tend to earn more than their non-certified counterparts.

To get certified in Azure, you'll need to meet the prerequisites for the level of certification you desire. Start by signing up for and taking the certification exam.

You can take the AZ-104 exam online via remote proctoring or at Pearson VUE testing centers in Australia. Training resources include Microsoft Learn, instructor-led courses, and boot camps.

Each Azure certification lists recommended skills to obtain before attempting the exam. Microsoft recommends you have a complete understanding of the skills the exam measures, and for Associate-level exams, have experience in the tested skills.

To prepare, take a practice exam provided by Microsoft, use a trial subscription to Microsoft Azure, and take advantage of Microsoft's learning resources. You can also find Azure courses and trainings online from a variety of providers, including Coursera and Microsoft.

Azure Expert certifications have prerequisites. The Azure Solutions Architect Expert exam requires that you complete the Azure Administrator Associate exam first. To take the Azure DevOps Engineer Expert exam, you’ll need to complete either the Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate exam.

You can find free training resources on Microsoft's website, including self-paced content for all certification levels and specialty exams. These online learning paths contain videos and lessons that help you prepare for the certification exam.

If you're new to Azure, it's recommended to start with one of the Azure Fundamentals certifications, such as AI 900, AZ 900, SC 900, or DP 900, to become familiar with the certification process.

These certifications are a great way to get started, especially if you're new to the cloud computing field or want to move into cloud computing from another industry. They'll help you build a strong foundation in cloud concepts, models, and services, and show your expertise in Azure.

You can choose an Azure Fundamentals certification that best matches your background or the field you want to move into. This will help you tailor your learning and make the most of your time.

Microsoft Azure organizes its different certifications into Training Journeys, which are tailored to specific types of industries or professions. There are six different Training Journeys, each with a recommended set of certifications to take.

Here are the recommended certification paths for each Training Journey:

By following these certification paths, you'll be able to build the skills and knowledge you need to advance your career in Azure and increase your earning potential.

Getting certified in Azure can open doors to a wide range of job opportunities, each with its own salary potential. The average annual salary for a Cloud Developer is $91,154, with the opportunity for additional pay.

You'll have the chance to work with a team as a Cloud Systems Engineer, managing a company's cloud network and systems. This role comes with an average annual salary of $100,787, with the potential for more.

Another option is to work as a Cloud Consultant, evaluating cloud structures and making recommendations for improvement. The average annual salary for this role is $92,739, with the opportunity for additional pay.

If you're interested in building cloud infrastructure, you might consider a role as a Cloud Architect. This position comes with an average annual salary of $137,237, with the potential for more.

Here are some average annual salaries for Azure-related job roles:

Keep in mind that salaries can vary depending on your location, industry, and experience level. However, certifications like Azure can give you a competitive edge and potentially increase your earning potential by 8% compared to non-certified professionals.

The Azure Administrator Associate certification is reported to have an average salary of $125,993.

This is a significant amount, and it's no wonder that it's considered one of the highest-paying certs of 2020.

The most sought-after Microsoft credential, the Azure Administrator Associate is clearly in high demand.

ZipRecruiter reports that Azure Administrators typically earn between $80,000 and $116,500, which is a relatively narrow range.

This suggests that experience and skills play a significant role in determining salary.

Here's a breakdown of the salary range for Azure Administrators:

To become Azure certified, you'll need to meet the prerequisites for your desired level of certification and sign up for the certification exam. You can take the exam online via remote proctoring.

You can take the AZ-104 exam online or at Pearson VUE testing centres in Australia. Training resources include Microsoft Learn, instructor-led courses, and boot camps. Preparation materials are available through Microsoft-certified partners and training centres in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

The exam cost for the Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) Certification is approximately $180 AUD.

You'll also need to consider additional costs such as training programs, study materials, and exam retakes, which can increase your overall investment.

Microsoft often offers discounts through learning partners or bundled certification programs, so it's worth exploring those options to save some money.

The AZ-305 Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert exam is expert-level, requiring candidates to have expertise in designing cloud and hybrid systems using Microsoft Azure.

This certification replaced AZ-303 and AZ-304 on 31st March 2023, indicating a significant change in the certification process. Candidates must have skills in computing, security, virtualization, data platforms, and networks.

The exam costs INR 4800 in India, making it a significant investment for those seeking this certification. The certification has no retirement date, ensuring that it remains relevant for a long time.

The AZ-104 Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrative Associate exam covers intermediate-level skills in Azure, including networking, virtualization, and servers. Candidates also get knowledge of PowerShell, Azure Resource Manager templates, and Azure AD.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions, case studies, and hands-on tasks that assess real-world administration skills. This includes managing Azure identities and governance, implementing and managing storage, and deploying and managing Azure compute resources.

Here are the key areas covered in the AZ-104 exam: