Choosing the right cloud certification can be a game-changer for your career, but it can also be overwhelming. Whether you’re aiming for an AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud certification, understanding the difficulty levels, salaries, and preparation strategies is key. At MCDNS SARL, we have a team of certified cloud engineers with expertise across all major platforms, backed by our partnerships with Pluralsight, Intel, and IBM Learning. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from which certification fits your background to salary expectations, study tips, and exam prep recommendations to help you succeed.
What Are Cloud Certifications and Why Are They Important?
Cloud certifications validate your skills in managing cloud infrastructure, helping businesses know they’re hiring professionals who understand the tools and processes required to run scalable, efficient, and secure cloud environments. Whether you’re a developer, architect, or system admin, cloud certifications can open new doors, lead to promotions, and improve your salary.
Each major cloud provider offers various certifications that cater to different roles and expertise levels, ranging from beginners to professionals.
Which Cloud Certification is Best?
Choosing the right cloud certification depends on your background, goals, and which cloud platform your business or project uses. Let’s break down the key certifications from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
AWS Certifications
AWS is one of the most widely adopted cloud platforms, and their certifications are highly respected.
Key Certifications:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: This certification is best for cloud architects looking to design scalable systems on AWS. It’s great for those with some technical background but looking to specialize in architecture.
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Average Salary: $113,000 – $149,000 per year
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate: Ideal for developers building apps on AWS. This certification validates skills in deploying applications and debugging cloud services.
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Average Salary: $107,000 – $130,000 per year
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional: Focused on automation and CI/CD processes. This is best for those already familiar with AWS and infrastructure management.
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Average Salary: $118,000 – $150,000 per year
Microsoft Azure Certifications
Azure certifications are perfect for organizations relying on Microsoft products.
Key Certifications:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert: Great for architects designing cloud-based solutions. The focus here is on building and managing Azure resources.
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Average Salary: $119,000 – $144,000 per year
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate: Ideal for admins managing Azure services. This covers tasks like identity management, governance, and security.
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Average Salary: $95,000 – $123,000 per year
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate: Focuses on AI-driven apps on Azure. Best for those working with machine learning and artificial intelligence.
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Average Salary: $110,000 – $138,000 per year
Google Cloud Certifications
Google Cloud certifications are growing in popularity, particularly in the AI and ML space.
Key Certifications:
- Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect: Ideal for those designing Google Cloud infrastructures. This cert is highly technical and validates your ability to work with complex systems.
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Average Salary: $135,000 – $167,000 per year
- Google Certified Professional Data Engineer: If your work revolves around data pipelines, machine learning, or big data, this is the certification for you.
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Average Salary: $120,000 – $140,000 per year
Salaries and Certification Difficulty Levels
When deciding which certification to pursue, it’s important to consider both the difficulty level and the salary benefits. Here’s a quick comparison of the average salary ranges:
| Certification | Average Salary | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate | $113,000 – $149,000 | Intermediate |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect | $119,000 – $144,000 | Advanced |
| Google Professional Cloud Architect | $135,000 – $167,000 | Advanced |
| AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional | $118,000 – $150,000 | Advanced |
| Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate | $110,000 – $138,000 | Intermediate |
For beginners, certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals are good starting points. For those with more technical experience, certifications like AWS Solutions Architect or Google Cloud Professional Architect offer both technical depth and high salary potential.
Recommended Study Plans and Tools
Preparing for a cloud certification exam isn’t just about reading the right books. It’s about structuring your study time, testing yourself, and using the best available tools to deepen your understanding. Here’s a guide to help you succeed:
1. Use Skill Assessments
Before diving into your study plan, start with a skill assessment on platforms like Pluralsight or ExamTopics. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, so you can tailor your study sessions to focus on the areas where you need the most improvement.
2. Plan Your Study Schedule
Determine the best time of day for studying—whether you’re a morning person or more productive in the evenings. Typically, studying in 45-60 minute intervals with 10-15 minute breaks in between helps with retention.
- Best Time to Study: Early mornings or late evenings are often the most productive for technical subjects.
- Best Time to Take the Exam: Schedule your exam early in the day when you’re mentally fresh.
3. Leverage Exam Prep Tools
- ExamTopics: Use this site to access practice questions and exam dumps. Challenge yourself with real-world scenarios to test your knowledge.
- Quizlet: For ongoing learning, Quizlet is great for creating flashcards and quizzes to reinforce key concepts. This is especially helpful for memorizing services, APIs, and commands.
Create a study plan that balances theoretical learning with hands-on practice. Try coding challenges, deployment tasks, or cloud infrastructure setup through AWS or Azure.
4. Music and Study Environment
When studying, pick background music that keeps you focused. Classical music, ambient sounds, or low-tempo beats are ideal. Lo-fi hip hop playlists have become increasingly popular among developers and engineers for their calming and focus-enhancing qualities.
How MCDNS SARL’s Certified Engineers Stand Out
At MCDNS SARL, our engineers aren’t just certified—they are continuously trained to stay up to date with the latest cloud technologies. Through our partnerships with Pluralsight, Intel, and IBM Learning, our engineers are equipped to tackle the most complex challenges in cloud AI, ML, and cloud infrastructure.
What sets us apart:
- Diverse Certifications: Our team holds certifications across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, ensuring we can support a wide range of cloud environments.
- Continuous Learning: Using platforms like Pluralsight, we provide our engineers with up-to-date resources for continuous professional development.
- Real-World Experience: Beyond certifications, we have hands-on experience working with businesses to deploy cloud solutions, making us a trusted partner in cloud transformations.
Get the Right Cloud Expertise with MCDNS SARL
The best cloud certification depends on your career goals, background, and the platforms you work with. At MCDNS SARL, we’re proud to have a team of certified engineers who not only hold multiple cloud certifications but also bring decades of experience to the table. Through partnerships with Pluralsight, Intel, and IBM, we ensure our team stays ahead in cloud AI, ML, and infrastructure.
Looking to leverage cloud certifications and expertise to drive your business forward?
Contact MCDNS SARL today to get the cloud expertise your business needs.
