Your Guide to AWS Certification

What is AWS certification?

AWS certifications are credentials you earn that display your expertise in regards to managing a particular facet of AWS systems. AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a cloud computing platform provided by Amazon for hosting servers, storage, networking, migration, computing, email, mobile applications and development, and security. A wide range of companies use this system, which creates job opportunities for people who know how to build, operate, and manage them. Certification in AWS shows you have the technical skills and knowledge to manage, develop, and maintain AWS systems. AWS is at the top of the cloud market and is a valuable tool for anyone in the tech industry. 

Discover how AWS training and certification can provide benefits such as career growth and a higher salary while also exploring the different aspects of the AWS certification path.

Is AWS certification worth it?

AWS certification establishes you as a credible, knowledgeable, competent specialist in AWS systems. Getting certified in AWS increases your eligibility for specialized cloud computing positions and can help you further your cloud expertise. IT professionals often pursue Amazon cloud certifications to validate their skills and objectively measure their familiarity with cloud systems.

Benefits of AWS certification

AWS certification offers several benefits, whether entering or progressing through your cloud computing career. More and more information and data are being uploaded to the cloud every year, and AWS currently possesses 31 percent of the cloud computing market [1].

AWS certifications require a lot of work, study, and practice. When you complete a certification in AWS, you show that you’ve dedicated considerable effort and time to learning how cloud computing systems operate. Certain tiers of learning will earn you digital badges and allow exclusive access to AWS events and circles. 

A further benefit of AWS certification is that it often leads to improved salaries. AWS certifications increased the salary of survey respondents by an average of 23 percent, according to a survey by Jefferson Frank [2].

Significant demand for AWS-certified professionals and cloud computing

Many companies are shifting to cloud computing and cloud-based systems. As a result, experts in cloud computing are in greater demand. According to Amazon, a significant number of companies anticipate the need to hire employees with cloud skills.

Learning AWS and pursuing certification can open doors in a growing industry that seeks out professionals who have earned this credential.

Types of AWS certifications

Several different AWS certifications exist, spanning a broad range of experience levels. You can choose from Foundation, Professional, Associate, or Speciality levels. Before earning one of these certifications, research them and identify the ones that best align with your personal and professional goals. 

What are AWS certifications? The following list includes a few of your options:

• Foundation: Cloud Practitioner

• Associate certifications: Solutions Architect, Developer, SysOps Administrator

• Professional: Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer

• Specialty: Advanced Networking, Data Analytics, Machine Learning

Which AWS certification should I get?

Choosing an AWS certification depends on your skills, interests, and prior experience. You can find an application for AWS in nearly every field, but some levels of AWS certifications and specific qualifications are better for certain jobs. You can even find certifications for architects, developers, and engineers, amongst other cloud computing professionals. You can pick the proper AWS certification based on your goals, strengths, and interests, and you can pursue more than one or multiple levels, showing your expertise in several areas.

What jobs can you get with an AWS certification?

More advanced and high-level certifications often result in executive positions with higher salaries. Fundamental certifications tend to cover basic concepts and are designed for entry-level roles requiring less technical expertise. The list below outlines relevant job titles and their respective average salaries. 

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (US): $130,802 per year [3]

• AWS Certified Cloud Architect (US): $147,236 per year [4]

• AWS Certified Developer (US): $112,422 per year [5]

• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (US): $125,908 per year [6]

• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator (US): $112,422 per year [7]

Read more: AWS Solutions Architect: Career + Certification Guide

How much does AWS certification cost?

The cost of taking an AWS certification exam ranges from $100 to $300, depending on the exam type [8]. When you get recertified, a requirement every three years, you may be eligible for a 50 percent discount, which you can find in your AWS Certification Account [9].

How to begin AWS certification training

A typical pathway to AWS certification is first enrolling in an AWS training course and studying for the certification exam. In preparation, consider reading AWS white papers or exam guides because they contain valuable information about the exam. These exams require dedication and practice. Practice exams and online courses may ease your worries about taking the actual exam. Once you feel that you’re ready, it's time to schedule the exam.

Prerequisites

The foundational certification exam suggests you have a basic knowledge of IT services and how to use them in the AWS platform and a minimum of six months' work experience with AWS cloud systems in a sales, managerial, purchase, technical, or financial capacity. Other senior-level certifications recommend that you first pass other exams, acquire work experience, or gain additional knowledge. For some exams, you may need to demonstrate proficiency in a high-level programming language and the ability to create functioning applications that involve AWS components.

Although you're not expected to be a subject matter expert, many AWS certification exams require proficiency in understanding, managing, and planning cloud systems. Take a look at some skills and topics that you may need before working on a certification:

• Data management

• Programming

• Amazon services like SDK, IAM, and Amazon's API gateway for applications

• Networking

• Statistics

How can I prepare for the exam?

You can access many resources to prepare for an AWS certification exam, including books, online courses, boot camps, videos, practice exams, and AWS white papers. Whichever route you choose to take, look for resources online, both free and paid options. In addition to reading available materials, take advantage of practice tests. They show you what types of questions you can expect to see on test day, and they also typically include explanations of answers that help you understand why the correct answers are correct.

Do AWS certifications expire?

Upon earning an AWS certification through Amazon, it is valid for three years. Before the three-year period is over, you must recertify to keep your certification active. If you are looking to maintain multiple certifications, you should be able to get a voucher from your AWS account to cover part of the fee to retake your exams. AWS encourages you to continue learning and taking courses offered by AWS during the three years of your certification so that you are ever-growing and learning about the systems.

Prepare for your AWS certification with Coursera

Earning an AWS certification proves you have the technical skills and knowledge necessary to manage, develop, and maintain AWS systems. If you’re ready to begin your cloud computing career, consider enrolling in the AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials on Coursera. This program covers topics like cloud operations on AWS, cloud computing, cloud networking, and more. Learners will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience and perform tasks that are common in a cloud computing role. Upon completion, earn a credential to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.