Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) vs AWS Solutions Architect Associate vs Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
| Factor | ✅ Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) | AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) | Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer | AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Microsoft | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft | Google Cloud | Amazon Web Services |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Exam Cost | $165 | $150 | $165 | $200 | $150 |
| Pass Rate | 68% | 65% | 72% | 60% | 65% |
| Avg Salary | $110K–$145K | $130K–$165K | $110K–$140K | $115K–$150K | $120K–$155K |
| Difficulty |
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Hard
★★★★☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
| Best For | Software developers building cloud-native applications on Microsoft Azure. | Cloud engineers, solutions architects, and developers building on AWS with 1+ ye… | IT administrators and cloud engineers managing Azure infrastructure.… | Cloud engineers and developers with 1+ years on GCP wanting to formalize their s… | Software developers with 1+ year experience building cloud-native applications o… |
| Expiry | Typically 3 years — renewal at microsoft.com | Check aws.amazon.com | Check microsoft.com | Check cloud.google.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 Developer Associate (AZ-204) if…
You're targeting roles at organisations that specifically require Microsoft credentials, or you're already working within the Microsoft ecosystem. The Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) carries the strongest recognition among Microsoft customers and partners, and its salary premium of $110K–$145K 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 Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) if…
You're targeting organisations in the Microsoft ecosystem, or the Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $110K–$140K. Core Azure admin cert. Covers identity, governance, storage, compute, and networking. Fastest ROI on…
Full Guide →Detailed Analysis — Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)
Strengths
- ✓Issued by Microsoft — one of the most trusted credential authorities in Cloud Computing
- ✓Salary premium of $110K–$145K 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: Azure compute & App Service, Storage solutions, Security & authentication
Considerations
- ◆Pass rate is approximately 68% — 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 Developer Associate (AZ-204) Full Guide → Study Roadmap → Salary Data →