Cloud computing is booming, and more businesses are moving their operations to the same cloud provider. With this shift, cloud certifications have become a hot topic among IT professionals looking to boost their careers. Two of the most popular certifications in the cloud world are AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) and Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104).
If you’re wondering which one is better for your career, you’re not alone. Both certifications open doors to exciting job opportunities, but they focus on different, cloud services and platforms AWS and Azure. Choosing the right one can be tricky, especially if you’re new to cloud computing or trying to switch roles.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between SAA-C03 and AZ-104, explore job roles, salary expectations, and help you decide which certification fits your career goals best. Let’s dive in and find out which one can take your own cloud security career to the next level!
Comparison!
SAA-C03 vs AZ-104: Which One Is More Beneficial for Cloud Professionals?
| Criteria | SAA-C03 (AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate) | AZ-104 (Microsoft Azure Administrator) |
| Cloud Platform | AWS (Amazon Web Services) | Azure (Microsoft) |
| Focus Area | Cloud architecture, designing scalable solutions | Cloud administration, managing resources |
| Ideal for | Solutions Architects, Cloud Engineers, DevOps | System Administrators, IT Operations, Support Engineers |
| Exam Difficulty | Moderate to High | Moderate |
| Average Preparation Time | 3-4 months | 2-3 months |
| Global Market Demand | High demand across various industries | Strong demand, especially in enterprise environments |
| Salary Range (Average) | $115,000 – $150,000 per year | $100,000 – $130,000 per year |
| Key Topics | Compute, Storage, Security, Networking, Cost Optimization | Azure AD, Storage, Networking, Monitoring, Governance |
| Exam Format | 65 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions | 40-60 multiple-choice and performance-based questions |
| Job Roles | Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Consultant | Cloud Administrator, IT Manager, Network Engineer |
| Certification Validity | 3 years | 1 year (renewable) |
| Cost of Exam | $150 USD | $165 USD |
AWS vs Azure: What’s the Big Difference?
At a glance, AWS and Azure may seem pretty similar. They both offer cloud solutions, storage, networking, security, and computing power. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see they approach things differently.
AWS (Amazon Web Services):
- Dominates the cloud market, with a wide range of services
- Offers more flexibility for businesses of all sizes
- Popular among startups and enterprises looking for scalable solutions
Azure (Microsoft):
- Strong presence in organizations already using Microsoft products
- Seamless integration with Windows, Office 365, and on-premises systems
- Often the go-to for hybrid cloud setups
If your career revolves around Microsoft technologies, then Azure might feel like the natural choice. On the flip side, AWS is often preferred for bigger, cloud-first companies looking to scale rapidly.
What Are Your Career Goals?
Your choice google cloud, should align with where you want to go. Want to work with cloud-native startups? AWS is huge in that space. Planning to support enterprise IT environments? Azure skills could give you an edge.
Here’s a quick look at how each cert fits into different career paths:
SAA-C03 (AWS Solutions Architect – Associate):
- Best for those who enjoy designing cloud solutions
- Good fit for roles like Cloud Engineer, Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer
- Suitable for anyone who wants to focus on multi-cloud strategies down the road
AZ-104 (Microsoft Azure Administrator):
- Ideal for those managing existing Azure environments
- Perfect for IT administrators, system engineers, cloud support specialists
- Great stepping stone if you’re planning to specialize further in Microsoft’s ecosystem
If you’re aiming for cloud design and architecture, SAA-C03 might be your best bet. If day-to-day cloud management is more your style, AZ-104 could suit you better.
What Kind of Jobs Fit SAA-C03?
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) is all about designing cloud solutions. If you’re the type who likes to plan how things should be built, this three cloud computing certifications can land you roles where architecture, scalability, and cost-efficiency are key.
Job Roles That Match SAA-C03 Skills:
- Cloud Solutions Architect – You’re the go-to person for designing cloud infrastructures, ensuring they meet business goals while staying cost-effective.
- DevOps Engineer – You work with development teams to optimize deployment pipelines using AWS services.
- Cloud Consultant – Businesses rely on your expertise to move their workloads to AWS in the best possible way.
- Systems Engineer – You focus on ensuring cloud-based systems run smoothly, are scalable, and are fault-tolerant.
- Pre-sales Engineer – When clients need cloud solutions, you help explain AWS benefits and design high-level solutions to fit their needs.
If your dream job involves working on cloud architecture, optimizing resources, and cloud security alliance or helping businesses shift to the cloud, SAA-C03 is worth considering. It proves you know how to work with AWS services like EC2, S3, RDS, and more to create efficient solutions.
Want to stay updated with the latest exam details, changes, and tips for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam? Read this updated guide: AWS SAA-C03 Certification Exam: What You Need to Know in 2025.
How Does AZ-104 Fit Into Cloud Operations?
The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) cert is a solid choice for those who prefer working with established cloud environments, managing resources, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. If you like being hands-on with cloud infrastructure and keeping things in check, AZ-104 might be the right fit. If you’re considering taking the AZ-104 exam, understanding its key topics, exam format, and career potential is crucial. Check out this detailed guide on Understanding the AZ-104 Certification: Key Stats and Exam Insights to get a complete breakdown of what to expect.
Job Roles That Match AZ-104 Skills:
- Cloud Administrator – You manage and monitor Azure services, handling things like virtual machines, storage, and networking.
- Systems Administrator – If a company is using Azure, you’ll be the one managing workloads and ensuring availability.
- IT Support Specialist – Troubleshooting and providing support for Azure environments is a key part of the job.
- Network Administrator – You handle connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments, ensuring smooth communication.
- Security Administrator – With a focus on access control and security policies in Azure, you’ll ensure data remains protected.
If you’re already working in IT operations and want to step into cloud management, AZ-104 is a great stepping stone. It focuses on practical tasks like setting up virtual networks, managing storage accounts, and handling user access through Azure Active Directory.
If you’re looking for reliable study resources to pass the exam on your first attempt, check out these AZ-104 exam dumps that provide real exam-like questions and scenarios.
Career Growth Opportunities with SAA-C03 vs AZ-104
Certifications open doors, but not all doors lead to the same place. When comparing AWS SAA-C03 and Azure AZ-104, it’s important to think about career potential and where these certs can take you. Cloud technology is booming, and both AWS and Azure skills are in high demand. But which one sets you up for better long-term growth? Let’s break it down.
The Demand for AWS vs Azure Professionals
The cloud job market is competitive, and companies are always looking for certified professionals to manage their infrastructure. AWS and Azure are the top players, but their demand varies based on region, industry, and business size.
- AWS dominates the global market. It’s widely used across startups, tech companies, and global enterprises. If you’re looking to work in fast-moving industries like e-commerce, fintech, or media, AWS skills are highly sought after.
- Azure is growing rapidly, especially in enterprise environments. Large corporations that have been using Microsoft products for years prefer Azure for its seamless integration with their existing systems. Fields like healthcare, finance, and government heavily rely on Azure-certified professionals.
According to recent job market studies:
- AWS professionals are often in demand for cloud engineering, solution architecture, and development roles.
- Azure professionals are highly valued for cloud administration, hybrid cloud environments, and IT infrastructure management.
If you want global opportunities, AWS has a wider reach. But if you’re targeting enterprises and government agencies, Azure might give you an edge.
Global Salary Trends for AWS and Azure-Certified Professionals
AWS and Azure are two of the biggest cloud platforms, and professionals certified in either are in high demand. However, AWS generally has a larger global market share, which often translates into higher salary ranges for certified professionals.
Typical salary ranges (globally) based on recent job market reports:
- AWS Solutions Architect (SAA-C03):
- Entry-Level: $80,000 – $110,000
- Mid-Level: $115,000 – $140,000
- Senior-Level: $150,000+
- Azure Administrator (AZ-104):
- Entry-Level: $70,000 – $100,000
- Mid-Level: $105,000 – $130,000
- Senior-Level: $135,000+
AWS-certified professionals often command slightly higher salaries compared to their Azure counterparts, primarily because AWS skills are more commonly requested across industries such as technology startups, e-commerce, and SaaS-based businesses. On the other hand, Azure-certified professionals are sought after in large enterprises and government institutions, where salaries might not start as high but offer stability and long-term growth.
Exam Difficulty Levels and Preparation Strategies
Both exams require solid cloud knowledge, but they differ in complexity and approach.
SAA-C03 Difficulty Level
- Generally considered moderate to challenging, especially for those without prior AWS experience.
- Focuses more on architecture and strategic thinking rather than hands-on operations.
- Questions are often scenario-based, requiring you to choose the most cost-effective and scalable solution.
- Expect a lot of questions around AWS best practices, security, and cost optimization.
To ensure you’re fully prepared for the SAA-C03 exam, practicing with real exam-style questions is key. These SAA-C03 exam dumps can help you master the exam format and confidently pass on your first attempt.
Preparation Tips:
- Use AWS documentation and whitepapers to understand core concepts deeply.
- Get hands-on practice with free-tier AWS services.
- Leverage practice tests to get familiar with exam-style questions.
- Focus on understanding AWS Well-Architected Framework principles.
AZ-104 Difficulty Level
- It is considered easier for those with IT admin backgrounds, but it still requires a solid grasp of Azure administrator associate services.
- More focused on day-to-day cloud operations rather than design principles.
- Expect hands-on questions related to managing resources and troubleshooting issues in the cloud computing industry.
- Many questions test your ability to perform tasks using the Azure portal and CLI.
Preparation Tips:
- Get hands-on experience with Azure services through a free trial or sandbox environment.
- Use Microsoft Learn and official documentation to study key concepts.
- Take practice exams to identify weak areas.
- Familiarize yourself with Azure PowerShell and CLI for real-world usage.
To maximize your chances of success, using high-quality study materials is crucial. Many candidates rely on Cert Empire’s exam dumps for real exam-style questions that help in structured preparation.
Cert Empire Exam Dumps for Best Exam Preparation
If you’re looking to speed up your preparation and ensure you’re ready for the real deal, Cert Empire exam dumps can be a helpful resource. These dumps contain real exam-style questions that can help you:
- Understand the exam format – Get used to the question types and timing.
- Identify knowledge gaps – Focus on areas where you’re struggling.
- Boost confidence – Familiarity with common questions helps reduce anxiety on test day.
Final Thoughts!
If you’re aiming for a cloud architect role and enjoy designing solutions, SAA-C03 will challenge you more and offer better career growth in architecture-focused roles. On the other hand, if your goal is to work in cloud administration and day-to-day operations, AZ-104 provides a more straightforward learning path with practical applications. Either way, preparing with the right mix of hands-on practice, study guides, and mock exams is the key to passing successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I take both SAA-C03 and AZ-104 for better job opportunities?
Yes, having both certifications can enhance your job prospects by showcasing multi-cloud expertise, which employers increasingly value. Being microsoft certified azure is a great attractive quality for job prospects.
SAA-c03 vs AZ-204: which AWS vs Azure certification is better?
AWS Certification is generally considered easier for beginners, as it focuses on practical administration tasks, while SAA-C03 requires a deeper understanding of cloud architecture.
How long does it take to prepare for SAA-C03 vs AZ-104?
Preparation time varies, but typically 2-3 months for AZ-104 and 3-4 months for SAA-C03, depending on experience and study pace.
Will these certifications still be relevant in the next 5 years?
Yes, cloud adoption is growing, and both AWS and Azure certifications will remain valuable as companies continue to migrate to the cloud.
Do I need experience before attempting these exams?
Experience is not mandatory, but hands-on practice with AWS or Azure services significantly improves your chances of passing.
Last Updated on by Team CE
