Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) vs AWS Solutions Architect Associate vs Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
| Factor | ✅ Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) | AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer | Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) | AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Microsoft | Amazon Web Services | Google Cloud | Microsoft | Amazon Web Services |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Exam Cost | $165 | $150 | $200 | $165 | $150 |
| Pass Rate | 72% | 65% | 60% | 68% | 65% |
| Avg Salary | $110K–$140K | $130K–$165K | $115K–$150K | $110K–$145K | $120K–$155K |
| Difficulty |
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Hard
★★★★☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
| Best For | IT administrators and cloud engineers managing Azure infrastructure. | Cloud engineers, solutions architects, and developers building on AWS with 1+ ye… | Cloud engineers and developers with 1+ years on GCP wanting to formalize their s… | Software developers building cloud-native applications on Microsoft Azure.… | Software developers with 1+ year experience building cloud-native applications o… |
| Expiry | Typically 3 years — renewal at microsoft.com | Check aws.amazon.com | Check cloud.google.com | Check microsoft.com | Check aws.amazon.com |
| Full Guide | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → |
Which Should You Choose?
The right certification depends on your current role, target employer, geography, and the specific skills gap you're trying to close. Here's a practical breakdown:
✅ Choose Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) if…
You're targeting roles at organisations that specifically require Microsoft credentials, or you're already working within the Microsoft ecosystem. The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) carries the strongest recognition among Microsoft customers and partners, and its salary premium of $110K–$140K is well-documented in the job market.
Full Guide →Consider AWS Solutions Architect Associate if…
You're targeting organisations in the Amazon Web Services ecosystem, or the AWS Solutions Architect Associate is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $130K–$165K. Most in-demand cloud certification. Validates ability to design resilient, high-performance AWS arch…
Full Guide →Consider Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer if…
You're targeting organisations in the Google Cloud ecosystem, or the Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $115K–$150K. Validate your ability to deploy, manage, and monitor Google Cloud infrastructure. Growing demand as …
Full Guide →Detailed Analysis — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
Strengths
- ✓Issued by Microsoft — one of the most trusted credential authorities in Cloud Computing
- ✓Salary premium of $110K–$140K documented across multiple independent sources
- ✓Exam fee of $165 — strong ROI relative to salary gain
- ✓Global recognition at enterprise employers, government agencies, and consulting firms
- ✓Covers 6 core domains including: Identity & Azure AD, Virtual machines & networking, Storage accounts
Considerations
- ◆Pass rate is approximately 72% — structured preparation is essential, not optional
- ◆Mid-level — assumes foundational domain knowledge
- ◆Renewal required — check current requirements at microsoft.com
Made your decision? Start your preparation today.
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) Full Guide → Study Roadmap → Salary Data →