Top 15 Azure Certifications to Boost Your Cloud Career in 2025

Introduction

As companies continue their migration to the cloud, Microsoft Azure has become a leader in cloud computing. That makes Azure certifications more important than ever. Whether you're an IT pro seeking to advance your career, a team manager designing a skilling roadmap, or a technology enthusiast interested in cloud careers, Azure certifications can open up new opportunities.

In this blog, we'll guide you through the top Azure certifications to pursue in 2025, from beginner to advanced. You'll discover what they entail, who they're for, and how they tie into real-world job roles. Whether you want to enhance your resume, enhance your team's cloud skills, or keep up with industry requirements, there's something here for everyone.

Looking to understand the true impact of Microsoft Azure certifications? Explore our free guide on how these credentials create value for both professionals and organizations.

What are Azure Certifications?

Azure certifications are official credentials offered by Microsoft that validate your skills and knowledge in using Azure, the company’s cloud computing platform. These certifications span a range of job roles including cloud administrators, developers, data engineers, security experts, and solution architects.

Each certification is designed to assess your understanding of Azure core services, tools, and concepts ranging from basic cloud principles to advanced architectural and security skills. These certification paths are frequently updated by Microsoft to represent platform improvements and shifting industry requirements.

Both for professionals and companies, Azure certifications offer an unequivocal manner in which they can demonstrate skill sets, resolve talent gaps, and stay abreast of rapidly changing cloud computing conditions.

Why Azure Certifications?

With cloud technology at the center of digital transformation, Azure certifications offer real value to both individuals and organizations. Microsoft’s role-based certification paths are tailored to match specific job roles, helping learners build practical, in-demand skills.

Let’s look at whether Azure certifications are a worthwhile investment in today’s cloud-driven job market.

Are Azure Certifications Worth It?

Yes, they are. Azure certifications can get professionals noticed, make them eligible for sought-after jobs, and keep them up to speed with changing technology. For professionals in areas such as cloud engineering, DevOps, data analytics, and AI, these certifications can lead to thrilling new opportunities.

For organizations, having certified team members means smoother cloud adoption, better implementation of Azure best practices, and increased operational efficiency. It also shows a commitment to innovation and upskilling from within.

As cloud adoption continues to grow in 2025, Azure certifications remain a smart investment for anyone serious about tech careers or digital transformation initiatives.

While you build your Azure expertise, complement your skills with our free Microsoft 365 Copilot guide, designed to help professionals stay competitive in the AI-driven workplace.

Benefits of Azure Certifications

Getting an Azure certification is more than a credential—it's a career growth, skills relevance, and industry credibility strategic step. As an individual contributor or as part of a large team, Microsoft's role-based certifications provide tangible benefits that far exceed the classroom.

Certified Azure professionals tend to earn more, with many reporting a 10–15% increase in earning potential over their non-certified counterparts. These certifications also lead to high-demand positions like Azure Administrator, Cloud Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, and Security Analyst.

In addition to pay, Azure certifications are standalone evidence of your technical skills, making employers feel assured of your capabilities to handle intricate cloud infrastructures. They also enhance career stability, as the need for cloud experts keeps escalating across the world.

Microsoft's certifications ecosystem is also known globally, so it would be an ideal asset for you if you desire to work within multinational teams or across regions. And with renewal certifications, you continue to refine your skills as well as conform to Azure's changing platform; all while staying current in a constantly evolving industry.

Top 15 Azure Certifications

1. Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals
2. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Fundamentals
3. Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals
4. Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate
5. Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate
6. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Engineer Associate
7. Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate
8. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate
9. Microsoft Certified Azure Database Administrator Associate
10. Microsoft Certified Azure Network Engineer Associate
11. Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert
12. Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
13. Microsoft Certified Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty
14. Microsoft Certified Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty
15. Microsoft Certified Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty

Exploring Azure certifications is just the beginning, discover how IT leaders are shaping AI readiness with our free strategic guide on building a foundation for AI success.

Azure Certification Levels

Microsoft Azure certifications are structured across four levels: Fundamentals, Associate, Expert, and Specialty are designed to guide professionals through a progressive cloud career path.

• Fundamentals certifications are ideal for beginners with little or no cloud experience. They provide essential knowledge of Azure services and concepts.
• Associate certifications validate role-based skills for professionals with hands-on experience in specific Azure job roles.
• Expert certifications are designed for advanced professionals looking to architect, design, or implement complex Azure solutions.
• Specialty certifications focus on niche areas such as SAP, Cosmos DB, or Virtual Desktop, requiring deep technical knowledge in specific domains.

Each level builds upon the last, allowing professionals to deepen their skills and focus as they progress in their
careers. If you're evaluating which tier aligns best with your goals, our guide on Understanding the Azure Certification Path: Levels and Costs offers a helpful breakdown of what to expect at each stage.

Fundamentals

1. Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals Certification

The Azure Fundamentals certification is the ideal starting point for anyone beginning their cloud journey. It introduces core concepts such as cloud computing principles, Azure services, pricing models, and governance features. While not a technical deep dive, it builds the foundational knowledge necessary for more advanced certifications.

Ideal For

Students, business stakeholders, career switchers, and early-career professionals with little to no prior experience in cloud computing.

What You’ll Learn

• Basic cloud concepts and terminology
• Core Azure services and architecture
• Pricing, SLAs, and lifecycle in the Azure ecosystem
• Security, compliance, and support models
  
  

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-900
• Cost: $99 USD
• Prerequisites: None
• Typical Completion Time: Under 60 minutes

Cloud Intern, Support Analyst

2. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Fundamentals Certification

The Azure Data Fundamentals certification introduces core concepts related to data handling in the cloud. It focuses on relational and non-relational databases, data analytics workloads, and fundamental Azure data services. This certification helps build a solid foundation for more specialized data certifications.

Ideal For

Aspiring data professionals, analysts, students, and anyone interested in understanding how data works in the Azure ecosystem — no prior experience required.

What You’ll Learn

• Core data concepts: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data
• Basics of relational and non-relational data models
• Introduction to Azure services such as SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and Synapse Analytics
• Analytics and big data fundamentals in the cloud

Exam Details

• Exam Code: DP-900
• Cost: $99 USD
• Prerequisites: None
• Typical Completion Time: Under 60 minutes
• Associated Roles: Data Analyst Intern, Junior Data Engineer

3. Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals Certification

The Azure AI Fundamentals certification provides a broad introduction to artificial intelligence concepts and Microsoft Azure AI services. It covers foundational AI workloads such as machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing — all without requiring coding or advanced technical experience.

Ideal For

Students, business stakeholders, early-career professionals, and anyone curious about AI technologies from a cloud perspective. No technical background is required.

What You’ll Learn

• Key AI concepts and responsible AI principles
• Basics of machine learning, NLP, computer vision, and conversational AI
• Overview of Azure AI services such as Cognitive Services and Azure Bot Service
• Real-world AI scenarios and applications

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AI-900
• Cost: $99 USD
• Prerequisites: None
• Typical Completion Time: Under 60 minutes
• Associated Roles: AI Intern, Junior ML Analyst
• Average Salary Range (U.S.): $60,000–$80,000

Associate

4. Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate Certification

The Azure Administrator Associate certification validates the skills needed to manage cloud services that span storage, networking, computing, and identity within Microsoft Azure. It emphasizes operational tasks and responsibilities essential for day-to-day Azure administration like those involving Microsoft Entra ID.

Ideal For

IT professionals, system administrators, and support engineers with a basic understanding of networking, virtualization, and cloud concepts. Hands-on experience with Azure services is highly recommended.

What You’ll Learn

• Managing Azure subscriptions and resources
• Implementing storage and configuring virtual machines
• Managing identities using Azure Active Directory (Microsoft Entra ID)
• Monitoring and optimizing Azure infrastructure performance
• Implementing role-based access and security controls

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-104
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: None (prior Azure experience strongly recommended)
• Associated Roles: Azure Administrator, Cloud Support Engineer

5. Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate Certification

The Azure Developer Associate certification focuses on developing, deploying, and maintaining cloud applications on Microsoft Azure. It covers the full development lifecycle and teaches how to integrate Azure services into custom-built applications.

Ideal For

Software developers and cloud application engineers with at least one year of experience working with Azure and strong programming skills in supported languages such as C#, Python, or JavaScript.

What You’ll Learn

• Developing Azure compute solutions including Functions and App Services
• Integrating Azure services such as Storage, Event Grid, and Cosmos DB
• Securing applications and managing identities
• Monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing performance
• Using SDKs, CLI, and REST APIs for deployment and automation

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-204
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Prior experience in cloud development recommended
• Associated Roles: Azure Developer, Cloud Application Engineer

6. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Engineer Associate Certification

The Azure Data Engineer Associate certification validates expertise in designing and implementing data pipelines, storage solutions, and analytics platforms using Microsoft Azure. It focuses on transforming raw data into usable formats for analytics and business intelligence.

Ideal For

Data engineers, data analysts, BI developers, and professionals with experience in SQL, Python, or Scala, along with a working understanding of data architecture and ETL processes.

What You’ll Learn

• Ingesting data using Azure Data Factory, Synapse, and Databricks
• Transforming data at scale using Spark and Data Flows
• Designing and managing data storage solutions
• Implementing security, monitoring, and optimization strategies
• Supporting real-time and batch data processing pipelines

Exam Details

• Exam Code: DP-203
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Experience with data engineering tools and programming languages
• Associated Roles: Data Engineer, Big Data Analyst

7. Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate Certification

The Azure AI Engineer Associate certification focuses on designing, building, and deploying AI solutions using Azure Cognitive Services, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure Bot Services. It emphasizes applying AI to real-world business problems across different domains.

Ideal For

AI engineers, developers, and data professionals with hands-on experience in Python, machine learning, or natural language processing. Completing the AI-900 certification first is recommended but not required.

What You’ll Learn

• Designing and implementing computer vision, NLP, and conversational AI solutions
• Integrating Azure Cognitive Services APIs into applications
• Managing AI pipelines using Azure Machine Learning
• Deploying, monitoring, and optimizing AI models in production environments
• Ensuring security, scalability, and responsible AI practices

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AI-102
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Experience with AI development and Azure AI tools
• Associated Roles: AI Engineer, Cognitive Services Developer

8. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate Certification

The Azure Data Scientist Associate certification validates the ability to design, build, train, and deploy machine learning models using Azure Machine Learning. It focuses on applied data science workflows and operationalizing ML solutions in the cloud.

Ideal For

Data scientists, ML engineers, and advanced analysts with experience in statistics, machine learning, and working knowledge of Python-based tools.

What You’ll Learn

• Exploring, preparing, and managing datasets for ML workflows
• Training and evaluating machine learning models
• Implementing automated ML and hyperparameter tuning
• Deploying models to endpoints and managing life cycles
• Monitoring model performance and ensuring responsible AI usage

Exam Details

• Exam Code: DP-100
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Experience with ML techniques and Azure ML
• Associated Roles: Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer

9. Microsoft Certified Azure Database Administrator Associate Certification

The Azure Database Administrator Associate certification validates the skills needed to manage relational databases in cloud and hybrid environments. It covers provisioning, configuration, monitoring, backup, and performance tuning of Azure SQL and other data services.

Ideal For

Database administrators, cloud DBAs, and IT professionals with experience in SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or general database management looking to transition into Azure-based database operations.

What You’ll Learn

• Planning and implementing database resources in Azure
• Managing operational tasks like backup, recovery, and high availability
• Monitoring performance and tuning queries
• Configuring security and compliance for data environments
• Automating administrative tasks using Azure tools

Exam Details

• Exam Code: DP-300
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Experience in database administration and SQL
• Associated Roles: Azure Database Administrator, Cloud Database Engineer

10. Microsoft Certified Azure Network Engineer Associate Certification

The Azure Network Engineer Associate certification demonstrates expertise in designing, implementing, and managing Azure networking solutions. It covers core infrastructure services like routing, security, hybrid connectivity, and private access to Azure resources.

Ideal For

Network engineers, cloud infrastructure professionals, and system administrators with a background in network architecture, security, and hybrid environments. Experience with Azure networking services is recommended.

What You’ll Learn

• Designing and implementing hybrid networking solutions
• Securing networks using firewalls, NSGs, and private endpoints
• Configuring name resolution and routing across environments
• Monitoring network health and performance
• Integrating network services into larger Azure infrastructure deployments

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-700
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Familiarity with networking protocols and Azure services
• Associated Roles: Azure Network Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure Specialist

Expert

11. Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification

The Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is designed for professionals who design end-to-end solutions on Microsoft Azure. It focuses on translating business requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable cloud solutions using advanced architecture best practices.

Ideal For

Senior cloud professionals, IT architects, and solution designers with deep experience in Azure infrastructure, security, identity, and governance. Prior completion of the Azure Administrator Associate certification is strongly recommended.

What You’ll Learn

• Designing identity, governance, and monitoring solutions
• Architecting compute, storage, and networking infrastructure
• Implementing high availability and disaster recovery strategies
• Optimizing workloads for cost, performance, and compliance
• Leading end-to-end Azure solution design for enterprise environments

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-305
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Strong Azure experience; AZ-104 recommended
• Associated Roles: Azure Solutions Architect, Enterprise Cloud Consultant

12. Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert Certification

The Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification validates the ability to unify development and operations teams through DevOps best practices. It focuses on automation, continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD), monitoring, and infrastructure as code using tools like Azure DevOps and GitHub.

Ideal For

DevOps professionals, cloud engineers, and developers with experience in automation, software delivery pipelines, and infrastructure management. Candidates must hold an associate-level Azure certification (Administrator or Developer) before attempting this exam.

What You’ll Learn

• Designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines
• Managing source control, build and release workflow
• Automating infrastructure deployments using ARM templates and Bicep
• Monitoring applications and infrastructure for reliability and performance
• Ensuring secure and compliant software delivery at scale

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-400
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Associate-level Azure certification (e.g., AZ-104 or AZ-204)
• Associated Roles: DevOps Engineer, Automation Architect, Release Manager

Specialty

13. Microsoft Certified Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty Certification

The Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty (AZ-120) certification is designed for professionals who architect and manage SAP environments on Microsoft Azure. It focuses on infrastructure planning, high availability, performance optimization, and governance within SAP environments.

Ideal For

SAP architects, Azure administrators, and cloud engineers working with SAP solutions like SAP HANA or SAP NetWeaver. Prior experience with Azure Virtual Machines and enterprise infrastructure is essential.

What You’ll Learn

• Planning and migrating SAP workloads to Azure
• Designing high-performance and resilient SAP architectures
• Managing storage, compute, and networking for SAP
• Implementing security, compliance, and monitoring strategies
• Aligning SAP deployment with business continuity requirements

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-120
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Experience with SAP systems and Azure infrastructure
• Associated Roles: SAP Cloud Architect, SAP Migration Specialist

14. Microsoft Certified Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty Certification

The Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty certification focuses on designing and implementing modern, cloud-native applications using Azure Cosmos DB. It emphasizes distributed database development, performance optimization, and secure, scalable app architecture.

Ideal For

Cloud developers, backend engineers, and NoSQL database specialists familiar with JSON, REST APIs, distributed systems, and Azure application development.

What You’ll Learn

• Modeling and partitioning data for NoSQL in Cosmos DB
• Designing high-performance applications with global distribution
• Managing consistency, indexing, and throughput
• Securing data and implementing access controls
• Building resilient, cloud-native architectures using Cosmos DB

Exam Details

• Exam Code: DP-420
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Experience with cloud development and NoSQL data models
• Associated Roles: Cosmos DB Developer, NoSQL Engineer

15. Microsoft Certified Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty Certification

The Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty certification validates the skills required to plan, deploy, manage, and secure virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) in Azure. It focuses on user experience, scalability, performance, and identity management in cloud-based desktop environments.

Ideal For

IT administrators, desktop engineers, and consultants with experience in Windows environments, virtualization, and cloud identity solutions.

What You’ll Learn

• Designing and implementing Azure Virtual Desktop environments
• Managing user sessions, profiles, and app delivery
• Configuring host pools, scaling plans, and load balancing
• Monitoring performance and implementing security best practices
• Troubleshooting and maintaining a reliable remote desktop solution

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-140
• Cost: $165 USD
• Prerequisites: Experience with Windows OS, virtualization, and Azure identity services
• Associated Roles: Virtual Desktop Engineer, Infrastructure Consultant

How to Choose the Right Azure Certification

Choosing the right Azure certification depends on your current experience and career goals. Use the guide below to quickly find your ideal starting point and future path.

If You’re New to Cloud Computing

Start here if you have little to no experience with Azure or any cloud platform.

Recommended Certification:

• Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): Great for building foundational knowledge about cloud concepts, Azure pricing, and service models.

This is ideal for students, entry-level professionals, and non-technical roles looking to understand cloud basics.

If You Have Some Cloud Experience

If you’re familiar with cloud concepts or have worked on basic Azure tasks, move toward role-based certifications.

Choose based on your interest:

• Cloud Administration: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
• Cloud Development: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)
• Data or AI Roles:
• Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)
• Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)
• Move up to Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) or AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)

These certifications are best suited for early-career professionals or those transitioning into cloud roles.

If You’re an Experienced Cloud Professional

For those with strong hands-on experience in Azure or other cloud platforms, expert certifications can validate your strategic and architectural skills.

Recommended Paths:

• Solution Architecture:  AZ 305 - Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
• DevOps and Automation: AZ 400 - Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions
• Specialized Roles:
• AZ 120 - Planning and Deploying SAP on Azure
• AZ 140 - Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop
• DP 420 - Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Azure Cosmos DB

These are ideal for professionals in senior or technical leadership roles aiming to scale or modernize cloud environments.

What Top Jobs Can You Get with Azure Certifications?

Azure certifications open the door to high-impact cloud roles across industries. Whether you're starting in IT or advancing into architecture or data, these credentials are valued by employers globally.

Here are some of the top roles and their average salary ranges:

• Azure Administrator
  USA: $85,000–$110,000
• Azure Developer
  USA: $90,000–$120,000
• Data Engineer / Data Scientist
  USA: $100,000–$135,000
• Azure Solutions Architect
  USA: $130,000–$170,000
• DevOps Engineer
  USA: $120,000–$150,000
  
• Azure Security Engineer
  USA: $100,000–$130,000
• SAP on Azure Consultant
  USA: $130,000–$160,000

These roles are in high demand as businesses modernize their IT infrastructure and scale cloud operations with Microsoft Azure.

Get Azure Certified with NetCom Learning

Accelerate your cloud journey with NetCom Learning. We are an award-winning trusted Microsoft Training partner with over 25 years of experience in IT training. Our Microsoft Azure certification programs are designed to help individuals and teams build real-world skills aligned with today's most in-demand roles.

From foundational to expert-level certifications, we offer end-to-end skilling paths, hands-on labs, and flexible learning formats to fit every schedule. Whether you're upskilling a team or advancing your personal career, our certified instructors and customized training solutions ensure you're always a step ahead in the cloud-first world.

How to Pass Any Azure Certification

Earning an Azure certification is achievable with the right strategy, consistency, and preparation. Whether you're aiming for a fundamentals-level exam or an expert-level credential, here’s how to set yourself up for success:

With the right preparation and a focused mindset, passing any Azure certification is absolutely within reach.

What is the Validity of Azure Certifications?

Most Microsoft Azure certifications are valid for one year from the date you earn them. To ensure your skills stay current with Microsoft’s rapidly evolving cloud technologies, Microsoft requires certified professionals to renew annually.

The good news? Renewal is free and can be done online without retaking the full exam.

How to Renew Your Azure Certification:

This quick, convenient process ensures you're always aligned with the latest features, services, and best practices in Azure without having to start from scratch.

Azure Certifications – Key Questions Answered

Which Azure certification is the best?
It depends on your career goal. For beginners, AZ-900 (Fundamentals) is ideal. For architects, AZ-305 is best. For developers, AZ-204, and for administrators, AZ-104 is most relevant.

Which Azure certification is the highest paid?
The Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) and Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) certifications are among the highest paid, with salaries often exceeding $130,000 in the U.S.

Which is better, AZ-104 or AZ-204?
AZ-104 is for cloud administrators managing infrastructure, while AZ-204 is for developers building apps. Choose based on whether you want to focus on operations or development.

Which pays more, AWS or Azure?
Both offer competitive salaries. Azure roles sometimes have a slight edge in enterprise-heavy markets, while AWS dominates startups. Pay depends more on your experience and role than the platform itself.

Does Azure certification increase salary?
Yes. Certified professionals often see salary bumps of 10–20%, especially when moving into specialized or senior roles.

Are Azure Certifications in Demand?
Absolutely. With growing enterprise adoption of Microsoft Cloud, Azure certifications are highly sought after by employers across industries.

Which Azure certification is in high demand?
AZ-104 (Administrator), AZ-204 (Developer), and AZ-305 (Architect) are consistently in demand due to the wide range of job roles they support.

Can I Take Azure Certification Exams Online?
Yes. Microsoft allows you to take all certification exams online with remote proctoring, as long as you meet system and environment requirements.

Can you get Azure Certified for Free?
You can’t take the certification exams for free, but Microsoft often offers free training events and discounts. Students and educators may also be eligible for vouchers.