Cloud infrastructure powering the modern internet. 13 certifications spanning foundational cloud literacy to advanced architecture, security, and machine learning specializations.
Median US salaries by certification. All figures from third-party salary surveys — not TechJacks estimates.
AI Practitioner
$198K
Solutions Architect – Professional
$180K
Solutions Architect – Associate
$157K
Machine Learning Engineer – Associate
$145K
Advanced Networking – Specialty
$145K
CloudOps Engineer – Associate
$138K
Machine Learning – Specialty
$135K
DevOps Engineer – Professional
$129K
Data Engineer – Associate
$115K
Database – Specialty
$108K
Security – Specialty
$93K
Developer – Associate
$82K
Cloud Practitioner
$79K
04
Decision guide
Which AWS Certification Is Right for You?
Cloud-Curious / Career Switcher
0-1 Years
Start with Cloud Practitioner ($100). Validates foundational AWS knowledge and proves to employers you’re serious about cloud.
Software Developer
1-3 Years
Go for Developer Associate ($150). Covers building and deploying applications on AWS.
Infrastructure / Cloud Engineer
1-3 Years
Choose Solutions Architect Associate ($150) for design-focused roles, or CloudOps Engineer ($150) for operations.
Data Professional
2-4 Years
Pick Data Engineer ($150) for pipelines, or ML Engineer ($150) for model building on AWS.
Senior Architect / Tech Lead
5+ Years
Target Solutions Architect Professional ($300). Highest salary ceiling and validates complex multi-account design.
Security Engineer
3-5 Years
Go directly to Security Specialty ($300). Pairs well with CISSP or Security+.
05
Maintenance
Recertification & Renewal
All AWS certifications are valid for 3 years with no annual fees or CPE requirements. Recertify by passing the current exam version. AWS offers a 50% discount voucher for recertification. If your cert lapses, you must pass at full price.
06
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
AWS offers 13 certifications: 2 foundational, 5 associate, 2 professional, and 4 specialty. The ML Specialty and Advanced Networking are being retired as AWS shifts toward role-based associate certs.
Start with Cloud Practitioner for AWS vocabulary. Then pick an associate cert by role — Solutions Architect for designers, Developer for builders, CloudOps for operators. Professional certs build on associate knowledge.
Foundational exams cost $100, associate $150, professional/specialty $300. No annual fees. Total cost including prep is typically $200-500.
AWS holds 31% cloud market share. Certified professionals earn 20-30% more than non-certified peers. The SA Associate appears in over 40% of cloud job postings requiring certification.
Yes, all expire after 3 years. Recertify by passing the current exam. AWS provides a 50% discount voucher. No annual fees or CPEs between cycles.
Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C02) is widely considered the most difficult — 3 hours, 75 scenario-based questions requiring deep multi-service architecture knowledge.
Yes, all exams are available through Pearson VUE at testing centers and via online proctoring with the same content, duration, and passing score.
