Looking to build your career in cloud computing? In this guide, IT Exams will take you to the AWS cloud certification path – your one-stop resource for everything you need to know. From the foundational AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner to the advanced AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional, we’ll take you through each certification step-by-step, providing valuable insights and tips to help you prepare and succeed. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your skills, credibility, and job prospects in the dynamic world of cloud computing.
What Is AWS Cloud Certification?
Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon subsidiary, is one of the world’s top cloud computing platforms, offering both public and private cloud services. It boasts millions of clients, including startups, huge corporations, and prominent government organizations, and provides over 200 fully featured services from data centers across the world. The objective is to assist firms in scaling and growing.
AWS provides a wide range of job prospects, depending on the function or service. One may, for example, work as an AWS cloud practitioner, operations, architect, or developer. They might also specialize in AWS storage management, machine learning (ML), and AWS media services.
To that aim, AWS offers a variety of certifications for anyone wishing to certify their technical expertise.
Importance Of AWS Cloud Certification
AWS Certification can help you enhance your knowledge in addition to verifying your technical skills. Once AWS Certified, you’ll be eligible for benefits that will allow you to brag about your accomplishments while still continuing to study. Moreover, there are many benefits of getting an AWS Cloud Certification. Let’s take a look!
AWS Cloud Certification:
- Allows you to remain up to speed on the newest technology and developments: AWS is a fast-expanding technological platform that is constantly adding new features and services. You may remain up to date on the newest trends and advancements in the cloud computing business by acquiring an AWS certification. This keeps you current and competitive in your sector, which is critical for long-term job success.
- Improves credibility and fosters trust in areas relating to cloud services: An AWS certification validates your knowledge and skills in cloud computing, which may boost your reputation and confidence in your talents. This is especially useful when dealing with clients or in a team setting, when your knowledge and skills may assist to develop trust and confidence.
- Improves career prospects: When reviewing job candidates, many businesses in the IT sector consider AWS certification to be a useful asset. Having an AWS certification will help you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate your dedication to continuous learning and professional growth. This is very useful while looking for new employment prospects or advancements within your existing firm.
- Access to a professional community where one may study, network, and exchange expertise about cloud computing: Obtaining an AWS certification might provide you access to a robust network of cloud computing specialists. This community may be a wonderful source of education, networking opportunities, and support, allowing you to remain up to date on the newest trends and technologies.
Why Should You Learn AWS Cloud?
Cloud skills are in great demand, and AWS certifications are in high demand since it is the most popular public cloud. According to our State of the Cloud report:
Cloud credentials make a prospect more appealing to 82% of hiring managers.
When reviewing candidates, 87% of hiring managers prioritize hands-on experience and certifications above a university degree.
There is certainly a scarcity of AWS-certified personnel accessible today. That is why professionals with cloud abilities may command big wages.
According to a 2020 CBRE research, demand for cloud skills is increasing, with a 12% year-over-year rise over the last 12 months. “The typical turnover rate for employees with these skills, at 42%, is well above the US average for all tech skill sets, which is another indicator of robust hiring demand,” it continues.
Add to that the fact that cloud skills have been in high demand for years (with LinkedIn ranking cloud computing as one of, if not the, most in-demand hard skills for the past six years), and the ongoing rise in demand means that career opportunities for cloud-skilled employees have never been stronger.
AWS Cloud Certification Levels
“What’s the best AWS certificate for me?” you may wonder. Your professional objectives can guide you down the correct certification study route. Let’s look at the various certifications provided by Amazon Web Services.
There are now 11 separate certificates available, divided into four experience levels:
- Foundational
- Associate
- Professional
- Specialty
AWS Cloud Certification Path
When considering your AWS Cloud Certification path as a career path, consider certification as a stepping stone. It can assist you in reaching the next level, but the actual attainment is still up to you.
Whichever path you take, being AWS certified has never been easier. Amazon provides all of its certification examinations online, which means you can take them from home, the workplace, or anywhere you are — no need to travel to a testing facility.
AWS offers 11 certifications, which include five core certifications and six specialty certifications. These certifications validate your knowledge and experience as a cloud developer. The learning paths include:
1. Foundational
This certification verifies a fundamental grasp of AWS cloud services, their advantages, pricing models, and security. This position is appropriate for applicants who are familiar with fundamental cloud computing principles and want to broaden their skill set. This certification covers the following topics:
- The fundamentals of cloud computing and AWS’s worldwide infrastructure
- There are several use cases that can benefit from AWS features.
- Documentation and technical assistance
- AWS’s security and compliance features
- Models of pricing, account management, and billing
If you have at least six months of experience in technical, management, sales, or financial jobs, you should consider pursuing this certification.
2. Associate
This module assesses technical ability in developing and delivering scalable solutions, as well as architectural concepts and access management knowledge. There are two levels of certification:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
This session presents an overview of the AWS cloud, with a particular emphasis on the Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Identity and Access Management (IAM), and Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) services. It assists professionals in the deployment of applications using AWS technology and the development of solutions based on architectural principles. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- Practical knowledge of storage, databases, computers, and networking services
- Understanding of diverse services to suit the needs of users
AWS Certified Developer – Associate
This module introduces many AWS services, including Elastic Beanstalk, DynamoDB, Simple Notification Service (SNS), and Simple Queue Service (SQS). It offers a working understanding of core AWS architecture as well as basic AWS services. Professionals who get this certification will also be able to create, deploy, and debug serverless applications in the cloud. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- Knowledge of high-level programming languages such as Python or C++ is required.
- Fundamental knowledge of application lifecycle management
- AWS command-line interface (CLI) and AWS software development toolkit (SDK) experience
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
This lesson gives professionals an overview of application setup, operation, and administration on the AWS cloud platform. It includes a variety of AWS services to assist cloud professionals in selecting the best solution for a customer. They will also discover how data travels into and out of the cloud platform. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- AWS cloud architecture understanding
- The relationship between network technology and AWS
- Understanding of virtualization
- Understanding and translation of architectural needs
3. Professional
This module assesses technical knowledge in the development, operation, and management of distributed applications on the AWS platform. There are two levels of certification:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Professional AWS architects assess a company’s requirements and make recommendations for building and deploying applications on AWS. Advanced abilities and experience in creating AWS-based solutions are required to become a Certified Solutions Architect Professional. The certification covers topics such as cost-cutting methods, migration of complicated applications in multi-tier architectural designs, and best practices to follow while developing an architecture for AWS application development and deployment.
An applicant must have at least two years of hands-on experience creating and delivering apps on the AWS cloud, as well as knowledge of multi-application architecture design.
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
The DevOps Engineer certification covers AWS application provisioning, operation, and management. It focuses on the creation and administration of solutions that allow for the automation of different business procedures. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- Excellent knowledge of AWS core services
- Experience in scripting and programming
- Understanding of Linux or Windows operating systems, as well as the AWS command-line interface
4. Specialty
The following modules are included in this certification:
AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
This certification verifies a candidate’s ability to conduct complicated networking activities on AWS and hybrid networks. This certification is useful for professionals who have substantial expertise in developing networking solutions on AWS. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- Advanced networking concepts such as IP virtual private network (VPN), multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), and virtual private LAN service (VPLS) must be understood.
- familiarity with automation tool development
- Understanding of routing architectures and connectivity solutions design, implementation, and optimization
- AWS technological proficiency, AWS security best practices, AWS networking modules, storage possibilities, and application integration of these services
AWS Certified Security – Specialty
This certification validates your ability to provide data and workload security in the AWS Cloud. The test assesses your understanding of AWS topics such as data protection and encryption, network security, incident management, access control, and log management. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- A minimum of five years of experience building and deploying security solutions, as well as expertise in AWS workloads, is required.
- Log management, patch management, cloud security threat models, and security automation expertise
- Understanding the intricacies of pricing, security, and deployment while hosting apps on the cloud
AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
This certification validates your ability to create, deploy, and manage machine learning solutions in a number of commercial situations. This qualification can help data scientists and machine learning (ML) engineers. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- A minimum of two years of experience designing, optimizing, and deploying machine learning or deep learning models on the cloud is required.
- Expertise in tweaking hyperparameters and optimizing models
- Expertise in neural net frameworks and architecture
- Best practices for designing, training, and deploying models
AWS Certified Database – Specialty
This certification demonstrates knowledge of all AWS database services, including database integration and design, in order to improve business performance. This qualification might help those who work regularly with databases. This certification covers database design, database security, deployment and maintenance, and monitoring and troubleshooting. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification or an Associate-level AWS Certification
- Experience with AWS database solutions and complicated database operations dating back five years.
AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
This certification demonstrates comprehension of data analytics as well as expertise in designing and implementing big data applications utilizing AWS services. The subject covers topics such as data design, maintenance, visualization, data analytics tools, and recommended practices to follow while creating an architecture for big data applications. The following are the prerequisites for taking the exam:
- Experience with typical data analytics technologies for five years
- Expertise and hands-on experience in designing, building, securing, and managing analytics systems leveraging AWS services.
- Understanding the various AWS data analytics services and how they interrelate
On this website, we provide various free AWS Cloud Practitioner practice exams to help you successfully pass on your first attempt. Give it a try!
AWS Certification Cost
When pursuing AWS certification, or any certification for that matter, the cost is a key consideration. The cost of standalone AWS certification tests ranges from $100 to $300 for each test, however, this does not tell the whole story. While training is not required to take the exam, almost all applicants will need some mix of AWS training and study resources to pass.
To begin, below are the prices for AWS certification examinations just (exam fees vary by level):
- Foundational: $100
- Associate: $150
- Professional: $300
- Specialty: $300
AWS provides various free training classes and tools to help you started. Coursera also has various high-quality, low-cost AWS online courses available via subscription. If higher education is your objective, consider these cloud computing credentials and degrees, which include AWS certification training as well as other platforms like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud as part of a more comprehensive computer science program.
AWS Recertification
Recertification is necessary every two years to keep your AWS credentials active. Even in the fast-paced world of technology, this is a short length of time compared to many other certifications, since Amazon is continually adding features and services to AWS to keep ahead of the quickly expanding cloud industry. AWS recertification entails either progressing to the next level of your AWS certificate, i.e., Associate to Professional, or passing a discounted recertification exam for your present credential.
AWS Cloud Certification Jobs
AWS experts have passed the AWS certification test in their respective sub-domains. Depending on the positions they choose, these professionals have a variety of obligations.
Let us go through what is required of you as an AWS professional and what certifications you will need to satisfy for various positions of AWS Cloud Practitioner jobs.
AWS Cloud Architect
AWS Cloud Architect is one of the most in-demand job titles in the cloud market today. An AWS Cloud Architect’s responsibilities are as follows:
- They must provide technical leadership.
- They must create AWS solutions that are both cost-effective and scalable.
- While gathering requirements, they must connect with business clients and recommend various system architectural optimization strategies.
AWS Developer
The followings are the qualifications and duties of an AWS Cloud Developer at an organization:
- They must be competent to code in a variety of programming languages such as Python, Java, C, and others.
- They must install new and forthcoming services as well as develop commercial applications.
- They must have previous development experience.
- For a higher chance of landing a job as a Cloud Architect, they should obtain the AWS Developer Associate certification.
AWS Big Data Specialist
The followings are the qualifications and duties of an AWS Big Data Specialist at an organization:
- They are in charge of developing, analyzing, and keeping data in an effective manner.
- They should have previous expertise with data analytics and AWS analytics services.
- They must successfully complete the AWS Big Data Specialty certification test.
AWS Cloud Network Engineer
The followings are the qualifications and duties of an AWS Cloud Network Engineer at an organization:
- They must create complicated solutions for the AWS network.
- Networking is an important component of their business since it allows them to keep cloud services connected.
- They must be well-versed in networking and be able to provide assistance with performance maintenance and network optimization.
- To enter this field, one must pass the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty certification exam.
AWS DevOps Engineer
The followings are the qualifications and duties of an AWS DevOps Engineer at an organization:
- They must use their knowledge of both development and operations.
- They must have prior AWS DevOps and application deployment experience.
- They must pass the AWS DevOps Engineer Professional certification test in order to work as an AWS DevOps Engineer in a reputable firm.
AWS SysOps Admin
The followings are the qualifications and duties of an AWS SysOps Admin at an organization:
- They are responsible for managing and maintaining the whole AWS system.
- They must supply, configure, and deploy new systems in accordance with the specifications.
- For the reporting process, they should be familiar with dashboards and cloud metrics.
- To apply for this job profile, they must first obtain the AWS SysOps Administrator certification and prove their abilities.
AWS Cloud Practitioner
The followings are the qualifications and duties of AWS Cloud Practitioner jobs in an organization:
- They must safeguard firm resources on the cloud.
- They must have hands-on expertise with the AWS platform.
- They will need to pass the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification test.
AWS Solutions Architect
The followings are the qualifications and duties of an AWS Solutions Architect at an organization:
- They should concentrate on employing technology to address business problems.
- They must develop solutions leveraging the AWS platform.
- They must assess the risks associated with adopting third-party platforms or frameworks.
AWS Certified Security Specialist
The followings are the requirements and duties of an AWS Certified Security Specialist in an organization:
- They are in charge of employing advanced approaches to secure the AWS platform.
- To secure data, they must employ encryption techniques.
- They should have hands-on expertise guaranteeing the security of the AWS platform.
- They must pass the AWS Certified Security-Specialty examination.
AWS Cloud Engineer
The followings are the qualifications and duties of an AWS Cloud Engineer at an organization:
- They must create and implement cutting-edge software services and systems in languages like Python, JavaScript, C++, Ruby, and others.
- They must coach other employees and assist them in comprehending difficult processes.
These are the top ten highest-paid AWS professionals right now. After reading about these AWS job profiles in depth, you will now see their relative wages based on their degree of experience and geographical location. The figures presented here are based on Glassdoor salary postings.
What Is The Average AWS Certification Salary?
AWS-certified jobs are among the top-paid IT, credential holders, in the very short period since the Amazon Web Services certification program debuted in 2013. According to a recent Skillsoft compensation study, the average pay for AWS-certified employees is $128,467.
The following are the highest AWS Cloud Practitioner salary in North America:
- $165,333 for AWS Certified Developer
- $158,485 for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
- $148,348 for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- $146,300 for AWS Certified Security Specialist
- $134,793 for AWS Certified Big Data Specialist
Should Employers Require AWS Certifications?
Certifications SHOULD BE required for two reasons. The first is that most organizations do not have an effective and inexpensive technique to assess job candidates’ competency. The second is that vendors must maintain a certain number of certifications in order to maintain partner status and get partner perks.
So, if a company doesn’t have an efficient and inexpensive technique to verify a candidate’s technical ability, and there is frequently a poor connection between competence and certification, then shortlisting by certification must be a fool’s errand, right? Many businesses recognize this and will employ experience rather than certificates in their shortlisting procedures, although this is still far from ideal.
One should avoid opening a big can of worms concerning unsuccessful recruiting procedures and simply accept that in many professions, recruiters and hiring managers may quickly screen a large number of applications using certificates.
The second component increasing certification demand is vendor partnership obligations. For them, this is really a positive thing, not because it provides an accurate estimate of the partner’s skill in the specific vendor technology, but rather because it provides a good indicator of the partner’s dedication to the vendor technology.
The cost of acquiring higher-level partnership status is frequently considerable, and the direct training and certification fees are minor when contrasted to the increased cost of devoting revenue-generating employees’ time to certifications. Partnership levels are viewed by suppliers as a test of commitment rather than skill.
AWS partners, for example, discuss gaining partnership status, and the genuinely dedicated partners are embroiled in an arms race to get AWS-certified skills and go far beyond the basic partner certification standards. Companies have been observed certifying their receptionists and accountants in order to get 100% certification (another case for competence versus certification).
These firms provide monetary incentives, raise compensation, and favor certified individuals over non-certified ones when hiring.
In our opinion, AWS certifications and the competency vs certification debate should be regarded similarly to a driver’s license.
FAQs
What is the career path for AWS certification?
Cloud Architect, Cloud Network Engineer, Cloud Developer, Cloud Security Engineer, and Cloud DevOps Engineer are some of the finest AWS job options.
Which AWS cloud certification is best?
Our pick for the finest AWS cloud certification overall is the Solutions Architect – Associate certification. It is AWS’s most popular certification, providing a solid foundation in AWS cloud computing. IT workers that hold this certification earn among the top salaries in the business.
How many levels are there in AWS?
These certification paths are categorized into four levels: Foundational, Associate, Professional, and Specialty. Each level corresponds to a set of certifications with increasing levels of difficulty and complexity.
What is the hardest AWS certification?
the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is generally considered to be the most challenging certification in the AWS ecosystem. This certification requires a deep understanding of AWS architecture, design principles, and best practices, as well as extensive hands-on experience in implementing and managing complex cloud-based solutions. Additionally, the certification exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions that require a thorough understanding of AWS services and their integration.
Is AWS full of coding?
While programming skills can be beneficial when working with AWS, they are not required for all services and use cases. AWS provides a range of tools and interfaces that cater to different skill levels and use cases, making it accessible to users with diverse backgrounds and expertise.
Final Words
Congratulations on taking the first step towards advancing your career in cloud computing with the AWS cloud certification path. By obtaining an AWS certification, you can stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and developments, enhance your credibility and confidence, improve your job prospects, access a community of professionals, and build custom solutions for your clients. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, our guide has provided you with the knowledge and resources you need to succeed. So what are you waiting for? Start your journey today and take your skills to the next level with the AWS cloud certification path.
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