Amazon Web Services, also known as AWS, is the type of skill that every programmer needs to learn if they want to excel further in their careers. AWS cloud architect certifications are gaining traction in organizations and validate your skill to accelerate the value of cloud projects. Thus, choosing a certification that is recognized in organizations is essential. Choosing the right AWS Certification involves evaluating your career goals and understanding the certification paths available, and practicing with resources like AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice Exams can help build confidence and ensure readiness.
Choosing the right AWS certification is very important, as that is the deciding factor for your future projects and deployments. Unfortunately, there are as many as 12 AWS certification paths, ranging from foundational, professional, and specialty learning paths, so often, you might need clarification on which AWS cloud architect certification is right for you.
We are here to guide you and help you invest in your future with the correct AWS cloud architecture certificate.
What is AWS certification?
Amazon Web Services is the leading cloud provider in the market. It is the most beneficial service provider for developers and programmers, and they can access these services anytime and anywhere. In addition, many popular businesses worldwide, such as Netflix and Adobe, use AWS in their daily operations.
As more and more businesses adopt AWS in their work, they will demand employees to be familiar with AWS. The AWS training teaches you the necessary skills while also acting as your proof of knowledge. To get an AWS certificate, you have to clear exams set forth by the authorities. Moreover, passing the exam and getting the certification doesn’t mean you are fully qualified now. An AWS certification lasts three years, so you have to prove that you are keeping up with the updates and upskilling yourself constantly by recertifying every three years.
Why is AWS certification important?
In addition to demonstrating your competence, completing AWS certification training and passing the exam on your first try prove your perseverance and dedication to the field.
It is common knowledge that the costs associated with obtaining an AWS certification are high, especially considering that some candidates may need more than one attempt to pass the exam.
However, if you are one of the select few who pass the test on the first try, you will have demonstrated your achievements and value to the company you work for.
As a result, according to Payscale, the average yearly salary of a Cloud Solutions Architect is $129,522. At the same time, a senior solutions architect with a few years of experience can earn up to $139,430.
Best AWS certification to look out for in 2024
AWS offers different types of certifications for professionals from various specializations. So, choosing the one that suits you according to your job profile is important to get the maximum benefit.
Here are some of the best AWS certifications that you can consider:
1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Foundational
The foundational level course is common for all and lays the foundation for AWS for a beginner. So this is where you would start as a beginner in cloud computing. The Cloud Practitioner certification will introduce you to the concept of AWS cloud. So, if you just want to know the basics, this is a great course. You can later upgrade your knowledge by doing the Associate courses.
It will cover core AWS services, and this is the first certification you must aim for.
- Prerequisites: 6 months of managerial experience
- Exam format: 65 questions with multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 90 minutes to finish the exam.
- Cost: 100USD
- Level: Foundational
Once you have mastered the foundational level and cleared the exam by understanding all the basics of AWS architectural principles, you can advance to associate-level solutions architecture certifications.
2. AWS Certified Associate (Solutions Architect / Developer / SysOps Administrator)
After getting the basic knowledge of AWS, if you want to level up, there are three options. If you’re a solutions architect or a software architect, you might want to go with the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate program. This gives you the necessary training in web deployment and makes you are better solutions architect.
You will find the AWS Certified Developer Associate program much more useful if you’re a developer. You will learn much more about AWS services, and you will also learn different ways to host applications in AWS.
And as a Linux admin or system admin, the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate program will expand your knowledge on working with different systems on AWS. It will also teach you to deploy, manage, and operate different systems.
3. AWS Certified Professional (Solutions Architect / DevOps Engineer)
The Professional training in AWS, which is available in 2 options, can be done after you have done some Associate training. This level will make you an expert in the field you have chosen. This course is not for beginners; you must atleast have two years of hands-on experience with AWS to clear this test.
4. AWS Certified Speciality
As of 2022, there are six options for specialty certification. After you clear the professional test and get certified as an AWS Professional, you can choose a subject and do a specialty in it. The options available are Advanced Networking, Data Analytics, Database, Security, SAP on AWS, and Machine Learning. This is the final level, so if you clear this exam, you will be a certified expert in your chosen field.
5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect- Associate
This certification shows that you have a firm grasp of the AWS Well-Architected Framework and can apply it to creating cost- and performance-optimized solutions. In addition, this certification can boost a person’s professional profile and income, as well as their credibility and confidence when working with stakeholders and customers.
Preparing for this certification will teach you how to set up, manage, and run systems on AWS that are scalable, highly available, and can handle errors.
- Prerequisites: Strong IT understanding and experience working with cloud storage.
- Exam Format: 65 questions with multiple choice
- Duration: 130 minutes
- Cost: 150 USD
- Level: Associate
After the foundational and associate levels, you can explore the professional level, which demands extreme knowledge, experience, and skills to master.
Conclusion
There are different levels of AWS certifications one can apply for. Even getting just the basic certification can be extremely beneficial. However, if you want to go for an advanced certification, Simplilearn offers some great AWS certification training programs. The courses offered by Simplilearn offer the flexibility to learn at your own speed. Secure your professional by getting a head-start on the AWS certification.