The Best 20 Microsoft Certifications to Upskill Your Workforce in 2025

Introduction

Getting a Microsoft certification is still one of the best means of verifying your abilities and remaining competitive in this rapidly evolving world of technology.

In this blog, we'll discuss the best Microsoft certifications to pursue in 2025, categorized by career path and area of focus. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance, there's a certification here to help you grow and meet your goals.

What is a Microsoft Certification?

A Microsoft certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates your skills and expertise in Microsoft technologies. These certifications follow a structured path, offering options from fundamental to expert levels based on your career goals and industry demands.

20 Best Microsoft Certifications List to Supercharge Your Career in 2025

This list features 20 of the most in-demand Microsoft certifications for 2025, organized across key domains including cloud, data, security, AI, and business applications. Whether your goal is upskilling your team or advancing in your own role, these certifications align with evolving industry needs.

1. Microsoft 365 (M365) Certified Fundamentals
2. Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP)
3. Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals
4. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Fundamentals
5. Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)
6. Microsoft Certified Power Platform Fundamentals
7. Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals
8. Microsoft Certified Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate
9. Microsoft Certified Azure Database Administrator Associate
10. Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate
11. Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst Associate
12. Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate
13. Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate
14. Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate
15. Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate
16. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate
17. Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert
18. Microsoft 365 Certified Administrator Expert
19. Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
20. Microsoft Certified Cybersecurity Architect Expert
    
    
    

Best Fundamental Microsoft Certifications

These entry-level Microsoft certifications are ideal for individuals beginning their journey in cloud computing, business applications, data, and AI. They build foundational knowledge and serve as launchpads for more advanced role-based certifications. Here's a look at the top fundamental-level Microsoft certifications to consider in 2025:

1. Microsoft 365 (M365) Certified Fundamentals
   
2. Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP)
   
3. Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals
   
4. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Fundamentals
   
5. Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)
   
6. Microsoft Certified Power Platform Fundamentals
   
7. Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals

Microsoft 365 (M365) Certified Fundamentals

The Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification validates your foundational knowledge of cloud-based solutions within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Key focus areas include core services like Teams, Exchange, and SharePoint, as well as principles of cloud computing, security, compliance, and privacy.

Prerequisites:

• No formal prerequisites required
• Basic understanding of cloud computing and IT concepts is helpful

Skills Gained:

• Core concepts of Microsoft 365 services
• Cloud computing principles and benefits
• Security, compliance, and privacy in Microsoft 365
• Recommending productivity and collaboration solutions

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $99 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Recognized proof of cloud literacy
• Opens doors to entry-level IT roles
• Ideal first step before advanced Microsoft 365 certifications
• Shows adaptability in a cloud-first workplace
  
  

Microsoft 365 (M365) Certified Fundamentals Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
IT Support Specialist	$55,000	₹4.5 LPA
Microsoft 365 Administrator	$72,000	₹6.8 LPA
Junior Systems Analyst	$65,000	₹5.2 LPA
Technical Support Executive	$50,000	₹4.2 LPA
Cloud Support Associate	$68,000	₹6.0 LPA

Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP)

The Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals ERP certification validates foundational knowledge of how Microsoft Dynamics 365 supports core business processes such as finance, supply chain, and operations. It's ideal for professionals exploring enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems or those transitioning into finance-tech roles.

Prerequisites:

• No formal prerequisites
• Basic understanding of ERP, finance, and operations concepts is helpful
• Exposure to cloud-based business applications is beneficial

 

Skills Gained:

• Overview of Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management modules
• Understanding integration with other Microsoft services
• Familiarity with data flow in ERP systems
• Ability to identify key business scenarios supported by Dynamics 365

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $99 (USD)

Benefits:

• Builds foundational ERP and business systems knowledge
• Ideal for professionals working in operations, logistics, or finance
• Lays the groundwork for advanced certifications like Finance Functional Consultant or Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant

Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP) Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
ERP Analyst	$82,000	₹8.2 LPA
Functional Consultant (Finance)	$90,000	₹10.5 LPA
Dynamics 365 Support Specialist	$75,000	₹7.4 LPA
Business Systems Analyst	$85,000	₹9.0 LPA
Operations Analyst	$70,000	₹6.5 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals

The Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification introduces key concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) within the Azure ecosystem. It covers foundational AI workloads, including computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and generative AI, making it a great entry point for both technical and non-technical professionals.

Prerequisites:

• No formal prerequisites
• Basic understanding of cloud computing and general programming concepts is helpful

Skills Gained:

• Identify AI and ML use cases in business scenarios
• Understand key Azure AI services (e.g., Azure AI Vision, Azure OpenAI)
• Describe computer vision and NLP workloads
• Explain generative AI principles and applications
• Familiarity with responsible AI and ethical considerations

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $99 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Builds a foundation for careers in AI, data, and analytics
• Bridges the gap between business users and technical teams
• Supports upskilling in high-growth areas like AI development and automation
• Prepares learners for role-based certifications like Azure AI Engineer Associate

Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
AI Solutions Analyst	$85,000	₹9.5 LPA
Data Analyst	$76,000	₹6.8 LPA
Azure AI Support Associate	$78,000	₹7.2 LPA
ML Operations Assistant	$81,000	₹8.6 LPA
Business Intelligence Analyst	$82,000	₹8.0 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure Data Fundamentals

The Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals certification is ideal for professionals starting their journey in data-related roles. It validates core knowledge of relational and non-relational data, big data, and analytics concepts, and how these are implemented through Azure data services.

Prerequisites:

• No formal prerequisites
• Basic understanding of data types and workloads (transactional and analytical) is helpful

 

Skills Gained:

• Understanding core data concepts
• Working with relational and non-relational databases on Azure
• Identifying common data workloads and processing approaches
• Familiarity with basic data visualization and analytics tools

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $99 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Validates foundational knowledge of data in the cloud
• Prepares learners for advanced certifications like Azure Database Administrator Associate or Data Engineer Associate
• Builds a solid base for data roles across analytics, governance, and operations

Microsoft Certified Azure Data Fundamentals Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Junior Data Analyst	$70,000	₹5.5 LPA
Azure Data Associate	$75,000	₹6.4 LPA
Business Intelligence Developer	$82,000	₹8.2 LPA
Data Operations Specialist	$78,000	₹7.0 LPA
Data Platform Support Engineer	$80,000	₹7.6 LPA

Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)

The Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM) certification focuses on the core capabilities of customer engagement applications within the Dynamics 365 suite. It covers key modules like sales, marketing, customer service, and field service. This certification is ideal for individuals exploring CRM roles or seeking to understand how Dynamics 365 enhances the customer experience.

Prerequisites:

• No formal prerequisites
• Basic understanding of customer relationship management and business processes is recommended

Skills Gained:

• Familiarity with Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, and Marketing modules
• Understanding customer engagement lifecycle and use cases
• Introduction to productivity tools like Copilot within Dynamics 365
• Ability to describe integration with Microsoft 365 apps

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $99 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Validates CRM system knowledge at a foundational level
• Ideal for entry-level roles in sales ops, support, or CRM administration
• Opens doors to role-based certifications like Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate

Microsoft Certified Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM) Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
CRM Support Specialist	$72,000	₹6.2 LPA
Dynamics 365 CRM Administrator	$78,000	₹7.5 LPA
Sales Operations Analyst	$75,000	₹6.8 LPA
Customer Engagement Executive	$70,000	₹5.9 LPA
CRM Functional Consultant	$85,000	₹9.0 LPA

Microsoft Certified Power Platform Fundamentals

The Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals certification is designed for individuals looking to build low-code solutions that streamline business processes. It introduces the core capabilities of the Power Platform, including Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Pages, making it ideal for both business users and aspiring app makers.

Prerequisites:

• No formal prerequisites
• General familiarity with cloud services and business data is helpful
  

 

Skills Gained:

• Understanding of Power Platform components and their use cases
• Creating simple Power Apps for internal use
  
  
• Automating tasks using Power Automate
• Visualizing data using Power BI dashboards
• Basic chatbot creation using Power Virtual Agents

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $99 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Introduces low-code/no-code development skills
• Opens up roles in data analysis, workflow automation, and app development
• Builds a foundation for advanced certifications such as Power Platform Developer or Functional Consultant

Microsoft Certified Power Platform Fundamentals Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Power Platform Support Analyst	$76,000	₹6.5 LPA
Business Analyst (Power BI)	$82,000	₹7.8 LPA
Junior Power Apps Developer	$80,000	₹7.2 LPA
Power Automate Workflow Analyst	$78,000	₹6.9 LPA
Citizen Developer	$70,000	₹5.8 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification (AZ-900) provides a broad overview of cloud concepts, core Azure services, and governance tools. It’s an ideal starting point for individuals new to cloud computing or for professionals in non-technical roles who need to understand Azure fundamentals.

Prerequisites:

• No formal prerequisites
• General awareness of networking, compute, and storage concepts is beneficial

 

Skills Gained:

• Understanding of cloud computing principles and deployment models
• Familiarity with Azure services such as compute, networking, storage, and databases
• Awareness of Azure pricing, SLAs, and lifecycle management
• Introduction to governance, identity, security, and compliance on Azure

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $99 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Builds a foundation for cloud-focused roles
• Useful for both IT and business decision-makers
• Leads to role-based certifications like Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Cloud Support Associate	$70,000	₹6.0 LPA
Azure Cloud Intern	$60,000	₹4.5 LPA
Junior Azure Administrator	$75,000	₹6.8 LPA
Technical Cloud Specialist	$80,000	₹7.2 LPA
Cloud Operations Analyst	$78,000	₹7.0 LPA

Best Microsoft Certifications for Associates

Associate-level Microsoft certifications are ideal for professionals with some experience who are ready to take on specialized roles in cloud administration, data analytics, security, and AI. These certifications validate technical proficiency in Microsoft tools and services and often serve as prerequisites for expert-level credentials.

Here are the top associate-level Microsoft certifications to consider in 2025:

1. Microsoft Certified Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate
2. Microsoft Certified Azure Database Administrator Associate
3. Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate
4. Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst Associate
5. Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate
6. Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate
7. Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate
8. Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate
9. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate
   

Microsoft Certified Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate

The Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate certification validates your ability to design, build, and deploy enterprise-scale analytics solutions using Microsoft Fabric. It is best suited for professionals responsible for data modeling, transformation, and visualization within an organization’s analytics environment.

Prerequisites:

• Familiarity with Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, and Azure services
• Hands-on experience with data transformation and modeling tools is recommended
• Passing the DP-600 exam is required

 

Skills Gained:

• Implementing end-to-end analytics solutions using Microsoft Fabric
• Building datasets, semantic models, and reports in Power BI
• Managing data pipelines and integrating data from various sources
• Applying security, governance, and performance optimization techniques

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

Benefits:

• Validates applied skills in a growing enterprise analytics platform
• Prepares professionals for roles in modern data environments
• Highly relevant for organizations adopting Microsoft Fabric and Power BI at scale

Microsoft Certified Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Fabric Analytics Engineer	$110,000	₹16.0 LPA
Power BI Developer	$100,000	₹12.5 LPA
Data Visualization Specialist	$95,000	₹11.0 LPA
BI Solutions Engineer	$105,000	₹14.5 LPA
Data Analytics Consultant	$115,000	₹17.0 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure Database Administrator Associate

The Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate certification validates your ability to manage cloud-based databases using Microsoft Azure. It focuses on implementation, maintenance, and monitoring of relational database solutions and is ideal for professionals responsible for performance tuning, security, and availability.

Prerequisites:

• Experience with SQL databases and Azure services
• Understanding of data backup, recovery, and high availability
• Passing the DP-300 exam is required

Skills Gained:

• Implementing and managing Azure SQL databases
• Automating database tasks and optimizing performance
• Configuring security, auditing, and data protection features
• Monitoring, troubleshooting, and ensuring business continuity

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Prepares professionals for database administration roles in cloud environments
• Supports migration from on-premises SQL Server to Azure
• In demand across industries where secure, scalable data handling is critical

Microsoft Certified Azure Database Administrator Associate Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Azure Database Administrator	$108,000	₹14.0 LPA
SQL Server DBA (Azure)	$105,000	₹13.5 LPA
Cloud Data Engineer	$112,000	₹15.5 LPA
Database Operations Engineer	$100,000	₹12.2 LPA
Data Infrastructure Specialist	$110,000	₹14.8 LPA

Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate

The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification is ideal for professionals who turn data into actionable insights using Power BI. It validates your ability to prepare, model, visualize, and analyze data to help organizations make data-driven decisions.

Prerequisites:

• Experience working with data in Excel, Power BI, or SQL
• Understanding of data modeling concepts and business metrics
• Passing the PL-300 exam is required

 

Skills Gained:

• Connecting to data sources and cleaning data using Power Query
• Building semantic models and data relationships
• Creating interactive dashboards and visualizations
• Performing DAX calculations and optimizing report performance
• Collaborating and publishing insights using Power BI Service

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Demonstrates proficiency in one of the most widely used BI tools
• Supports business intelligence and data analyst career paths
• Applicable across industries, from finance to marketing to operations

Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Power BI Data Analyst	$95,000	₹10.5 LPA
Business Intelligence Analyst	$92,000	₹9.8 LPA
Data Reporting Specialist	$88,000	₹8.6 LPA
Power BI Developer	$100,000	₹11.5 LPA
Dashboard and Insights Analyst	$90,000	₹9.2 LPA

Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst Associate

The Microsoft Security Operations Analyst Associate certification validates your ability to monitor, detect, and respond to security threats using Microsoft security tools such as Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. It is well-suited for professionals working in security operations centers (SOCs) or roles focused on threat detection and incident response.

Prerequisites:

• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 and Azure security services
• Basic understanding of cybersecurity principles and incident response processes
• Passing the SC-200 exam is required

Skills Gained:

• Investigating threats using Microsoft Sentinel
• Monitoring security using Microsoft 365 Defender
• Responding to incidents across hybrid environments
• Applying threat intelligence to improve detection capabilities
• Automating security tasks using tools like Logic Apps

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Prepares professionals for critical roles in enterprise cybersecurity
• In demand across industries facing regulatory and security compliance requirements
• Builds a strong foundation for advanced security certifications such as Microsoft Certified Cybersecurity Architect

Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst Associate Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Security Operations Analyst	$102,000	₹11.0 LPA
SOC Analyst	$95,000	₹9.8 LPA
Threat Detection Specialist	$105,000	₹11.5 LPA
Microsoft Security Administrator	$100,000	₹10.2 LPA
Cybersecurity Analyst (Cloud Focus)	$110,000	₹12.0 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate

The Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certification validates the skills needed to manage Azure resources, implement virtual networks, monitor identity, and oversee cloud governance. It is ideal for IT professionals responsible for the day-to-day operations of Microsoft Azure environments.

Prerequisites:

• Experience with Azure services, networking, and virtualization
• Familiarity with PowerShell, Azure CLI, and the Azure portal
• Passing the AZ-104 exam is required

 

Skills Gained:

• Managing Azure subscriptions, resources, and identities
• Implementing and configuring virtual networks and storage solutions
• Deploying virtual machines and containers
• Monitoring and optimizing Azure performance
• Applying security and compliance policies across cloud resources

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Essential for cloud admin and infrastructure roles
• Highly valued across enterprise cloud environments
• Prepares professionals for more advanced certifications like Azure Solutions Architect or Azure DevOps Engineer

Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Azure Administrator	$105,000	₹11.5 LPA
Cloud Infrastructure Engineer	$110,000	₹12.0 LPA
Azure Support Engineer	$98,000	₹10.5 LPA
Cloud Systems Administrator	$102,000	₹11.2 LPA
Azure Operations Analyst	$100,000	₹10.8 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate

The Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate certification validates your expertise in managing security for cloud-based environments. It covers identity and access management, data protection, threat protection, and security operations in Azure. This certification is ideal for professionals tasked with securing hybrid and cloud infrastructure.

Prerequisites:

• Strong understanding of Azure architecture and security controls
• Familiarity with security best practices, risk management, and compliance
• Passing the AZ-500 exam is required

Skills Gained:

• Configuring and managing Azure identity and access
• Securing networks, data, and applications in Azure
• Implementing threat protection with Microsoft Defender for Cloud
• Monitoring security and responding to incidents
• Managing security posture through Azure Policy and Blueprints

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Validates specialized cloud security skills
• In high demand across regulated industries and enterprise cloud environments
• Sets the foundation for senior security roles or cybersecurity architect paths

Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Azure Security Engineer	$115,000	₹13.5 LPA
Cloud Security Analyst	$110,000	₹12.2 LPA
Information Security Consultant	$120,000	₹14.0 LPA
Security Infrastructure Engineer	$112,000	₹13.0 LPA
Cloud Risk & Compliance Analyst	$105,000	₹11.5 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate

The Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate certification validates your ability to build, manage, and deploy AI solutions using Azure Cognitive Services, Azure Machine Learning, and related tools. It is ideal for professionals developing intelligent applications, including those that use natural language processing, computer vision, and conversational AI.

Prerequisites:

• Experience with Python or C#
• Familiarity with Azure AI services and machine learning concepts
• Passing the AI-102 exam is required

 

Skills Gained:

• Developing AI solutions using Azure Cognitive Services and Azure Bot Services
• Integrating NLP, vision, and speech capabilities into applications
• Designing responsible AI solutions with ethical and fairness considerations
• Managing ML pipelines and deploying models into production environments

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Aligns with growing demand for AI-enabled applications
• Opens doors to roles in AI development, applied machine learning, and solution architecture
• Builds a pathway to more advanced AI engineering and data science roles

Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Azure AI Engineer	$120,000	₹15.5 LPA
Cognitive Services Developer	$115,000	₹13.8 LPA
Machine Learning Engineer (Azure)	$125,000	₹16.2 LPA
Applied AI Developer	$118,000	₹14.5 LPA
Conversational AI Specialist	$110,000	₹13.0 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate

The Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification validates your skills in designing, building, testing, and maintaining cloud applications on Microsoft Azure. It is geared toward developers who work with cloud services, APIs, storage, and security to build scalable and performant solutions.

Prerequisites:

• 1–2 years of experience in cloud application development
• Familiarity with Azure SDKs, APIs, CLI, and development tools
• Passing the AZ-204 exam is required

Skills Gained:

• Developing Azure compute solutions with Functions, Web Apps, and Containers
• Integrating Azure services like Storage, Event Grid, and Cosmos DB
• Implementing authentication and secure cloud solutions
• Monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing cloud apps

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Recognized credential for cloud application developers
• Opens doors to roles in software engineering, cloud-native development, and DevOps
• Provides a strong foundation for Azure DevOps Engineer Expert or Solutions Architect Expert certifications

Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Azure Developer	$115,000	₹13.0 LPA
Cloud Application Developer	$110,000	₹12.2 LPA
Software Engineer (Azure)	$108,000	₹11.8 LPA
Backend Developer (Cloud Stack)	$105,000	₹11.5 LPA
Azure Solutions Engineer	$118,000	₹13.5 LPA

Best Expert-Level Microsoft Certifications

Expert-level Microsoft certifications are designed for experienced professionals responsible for high-level planning, architecture, and enterprise-wide implementations. These credentials validate deep technical expertise and leadership in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT operations — making them highly valuable in today’s job market.

Here are the top expert-level Microsoft certifications to consider in 2025:

1. Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert
2. Microsoft 365 Certified Administrator Expert
3. Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
4. Microsoft Certified Cybersecurity Architect Expert

Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert

The Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is designed for professionals who architect and design secure, scalable cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure. It validates expertise in compute, storage, networking, identity, governance, and DevOps — making it one of the most respected certifications for senior cloud professionals.

Prerequisites:

• Advanced experience in Azure administration and development
• Strong knowledge of IT operations, including networking, virtualization, and security
• Passing two exams (AZ-305 and either AZ-104 or AZ-303) is required

Skills Gained:

• Designing infrastructure, identity, and governance solutions on Azure
• Planning and implementing workloads, containers, and hybrid environments
• Creating data platform strategies using relational and NoSQL databases
• Managing cost optimization, resiliency, and performance of solutions
• Translating business requirements into secure and scalable architectures

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fees: Approx. $165 (USD) per exam

 

Benefits:

• Recognized as one of the top credentials for cloud architects
• Highly valued in enterprise and consulting environments
• Prepares professionals for leadership roles in cloud migration and transformation projects

Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Azure Solutions Architect	$145,000	₹23.5 LPA
Enterprise Cloud Architect	$150,000	₹25.0 LPA
Cloud Infrastructure Architect	$142,000	₹22.0 LPA
Azure Technical Consultant	$135,000	₹20.5 LPA
IT Cloud Strategy Lead	$148,000	₹24.0 LPA

Microsoft 365 Certified Administrator Expert

The Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert certification validates the skills needed to evaluate, plan, migrate, deploy, and manage Microsoft 365 services. It’s ideal for IT professionals responsible for enterprise-wide collaboration, identity management, security, and compliance within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Prerequisites:

• Strong experience with Microsoft 365 workloads (Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, etc.)
• One or more associate-level certifications, such as Messaging Administrator or Teams Administrator
• Passing the MS-102 exam is required

Skills Gained:

• Planning and implementing Microsoft 365 tenant configurations
• Managing user identity and roles, including hybrid identities
• Overseeing security, compliance, and threat protection features
• Managing Microsoft 365 collaboration workloads and services
• Monitoring and optimizing service health and user experience

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

 

Benefits:

• Highly relevant for enterprise IT and systems administrators
• Demonstrates cross-functional expertise in managing Microsoft 365 environments
• Often required for team leads or administrators in regulated industries

Microsoft 365 Certified Administrator Expert Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Microsoft 365 Administrator	$125,000	₹17.0 LPA
M365 Technical Lead	$132,000	₹18.5 LPA
Collaboration Systems Architect	$128,000	₹17.8 LPA
Enterprise Messaging Administrator	$122,000	₹16.2 LPA
IT Infrastructure Manager (M365)	$130,000	₹19.0 LPA

Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

The Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification validates your ability to design and implement DevOps strategies using Microsoft Azure tools and services. This includes code versioning, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, testing, monitoring, and collaboration. It’s ideal for professionals bridging development and operations in cloud-native environments.

Prerequisites:

• Strong experience with both Azure development and administration
• Associate-level certification such as Azure Developer Associate or Azure Administrator Associate
• Passing the AZ-400 exam is required

 

Skills Gained:

• Designing and implementing DevOps pipelines using Azure DevOps and GitHub
• Managing infrastructure as code using ARM templates or Bicep
• Implementing continuous integration, delivery, and testing strategies
• Monitoring and securing deployments across development lifecycles
• Collaborating across teams to improve reliability and release cycles

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

Benefits:

• Highly valued in cloud-native, agile, and DevOps environments
• Opens doors to roles that oversee CI/CD, automation, and release pipelines
• Aligns well with modern software engineering and cloud strategy teams

Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Azure DevOps Engineer	$135,000	₹20.5 LPA
DevOps Consultant (Azure)	$140,000	₹22.0 LPA
CI/CD Pipeline Architect	$130,000	₹19.5 LPA
Cloud Automation Engineer	$128,000	₹18.2 LPA
Platform Reliability Engineer	$138,000	₹21.5 LPA

Microsoft Certified Cybersecurity Architect Expert

The Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert certification validates the ability to design and evolve cybersecurity strategies across an organization’s entire digital estate. It focuses on Zero Trust architecture, governance, risk assessment, and integration of Microsoft security technologies. This is the most advanced security certification Microsoft offers.

Prerequisites:

• Deep knowledge of Microsoft security and identity solutions
• One or more associate-level certifications (e.g., SC-200, SC-300, AZ-500)
• Passing the SC-100 exam is required

 

Skills Gained:

• Designing enterprise-wide security strategies with a Zero Trust approach
• Evaluating risks and implementing governance frameworks
• Integrating Microsoft Defender, Entra ID, and Sentinel into cohesive security architecture
• Aligning security strategy with business and regulatory requirements
• Leading enterprise cloud security transformations

 

Certification Cost:

• Exam Fee: Approx. $165 (USD)

Benefits:

• Recognized credential for senior and executive-level security roles
• Critical for organizations adopting hybrid and multi-cloud security frameworks
• Ideal for architects, CISOs, and enterprise security leads

Microsoft Certified Cybersecurity Architect Expert Job Outlook in 2025

Job Role	Average Salary (USA)	Average Salary (India)
Cybersecurity Architect	$155,000	₹26.5 LPA
Cloud Security Solutions Architect	$160,000	₹28.0 LPA
Information Security Strategist	$150,000	₹25.0 LPA
Microsoft Security Architect	$152,000	₹26.0 LPA
Enterprise Risk & Compliance Lead	$145,000	₹24.5 LPA

What are the Steps to Get Microsoft Certifications?

Gaining a Microsoft certification is not merely passing an exam — it's a strategic move to boost your career in the cloud, data, AI, or security field. Whether you're new to an area or an experienced professional, taking a guided route ensures that you are lining up your learning with your ultimate goals.

Following are the most important steps to guide you towards acquiring a Microsoft certification in 2025:

Identify Your Career Goals and Certification Path

Before choosing a certification, it’s important to map your learning to your professional aspirations. Are you aiming to become a cloud architect, a data analyst, or a security engineer? Microsoft offers certifications tailored to dozens of roles across Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and security.

Each role-based certification aligns with a job title and proficiency level (Fundamentals, Associate, or Expert). Identifying where you are now and where you want to go helps you select the certification that bridges the gap between your current role and future goals.

Pro Tip: Use Microsoft's role-based certification roadmap to visualize the ideal learning path for your target job.

Review the Microsoft Certifications Roadmap

NetCom Learning provides a clear and dynamic Microsoft Skilling Roadmap that outlines certifications by technology, job role, and skill level. This helps you avoid jumping into unrelated topics and instead focus on certifications that offer a logical, stackable learning path.

• Start with Fundamentals if you’re entering a new domai
• Move to Associate when you’re ready for hands-on responsibilities
• Pursue Expert-level when you’re managing enterprise-scale solutions

The roadmap evolves with technology, so it’s wise to stay updated and revisit it often.

Choose Your Certification Level

Microsoft certifications are structured in three levels:

• Fundamentals: Ideal for beginners and non-technical roles
• Associate: Designed for professionals with some hands-on experience
• Expert: Best suited for experienced practitioners and architects

Choose a level that matches your current expertise and aligns with your long-term role. You can always progress upward as your responsibilities grow.

Prepare with Official Learning Resources

Once you’ve selected your certification, the next step is to prepare with quality learning materials — and that’s where NetCom Learning comes in.

As a two-time Microsoft US Learning Partner of the Year and a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Microsoft Cloud, NetCom Learning offers:

• Customized Microsoft training solutions tailored to your role and schedule
• Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) with real-world experience
• Access to NetCom365, a 360° learning platform for tracking progress and team performance
• Courses aligned with official Microsoft certification exams across Azure, AI, Power Platform, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Security

Whether you’re preparing for your first cert or looking to scale your team’s expertise, NetCom Learning delivers flexible, high-impact training for today’s digital workplace.

Schedule and Take the Exam

Once you have prepared, the next thing to do is to book your certification test. Microsoft certification tests are available online or in person at approved test centers via Pearson VUE. Online tests are convenient and can be done at home or work, while testing centers provide a more formal setting.

Be sure to study the exam guide, format, and goals in advance. It's also a good idea to take a few sample tests to familiarize yourself with the types of questions and time limits.

Earn Your Microsoft Certified Badge

Once you pass the exam, you'll receive a Microsoft Certified digital badge that can be shared on platforms like LinkedIn, your resume, or your company intranet. This badge is verifiable and signals your skills and credibility to employers, hiring managers, and clients.

Microsoft uses the Credly platform to issue and manage certification badges. You’ll also gain access to a dashboard that tracks your certifications and learning history over time.

Stay Updated with Recertification and New Learning Opportunities

Microsoft technologies evolve rapidly, and certifications are updated regularly to reflect industry changes. Some certifications now require periodic renewal to ensure your skills remain current and relevant.

Microsoft offers free renewal assessments for many certifications, which can be completed online without additional cost. Staying updated also gives you early exposure to new features and services, which can provide a competitive advantage in the job market.

To keep growing, you can explore new certifications in adjacent areas like AI, security, or DevOps, depending on your goals and industry trends.

Why Become Microsoft Certified in 2025?

With rapid advancements in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and data platforms, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for tech professionals. Microsoft certifications remain one of the most trusted ways to validate your skills in a constantly evolving landscape. They help you stay relevant, demonstrate role-specific expertise, and unlock new career opportunities in a competitive job market.

Whether you're entering the workforce, shifting to a cloud-first role, or preparing to lead enterprise transformations, Microsoft credentials give you a credible edge recognized across industries and geographies.

Conclusion

Microsoft certifications continue to be a smart investment for IT professionals, business leaders, and tech-focused organizations. They offer a structured, measurable way to build in-demand skills and demonstrate readiness for modern job roles in cloud, data, security, and AI.

With over 20 certifications mapped across different career stages and domains, there's a Microsoft certification for every learner. Whether you're starting out or stepping into leadership, certifications help you stay current, credible, and competitive in 2025 and beyond.

Microsoft Certification – Key Questions Answered

How much do Microsoft certifications cost?

Most certification exams cost around $99 USD for fundamentals and $165 USD for associate and expert-level exams. Prices may vary based on region, currency, or promotional discounts.

Can Microsoft certifications get you a job?

Microsoft certifications can significantly improve your chances of getting hired. They validate your skills in a specific domain, build credibility, and align with real-world job roles, making you more attractive to employers and recruiters.

Is IT hard to get Microsoft Certified?

Getting certified isn’t difficult with the right preparation. Microsoft provides official exam guides and learning paths, and platforms like NetCom Learning offer instructor-led training and exam-aligned resources to make the process easier and more effective.

What is Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)?

A Microsoft Certified Trainer is a professional who has been certified by Microsoft to deliver training on Microsoft technologies. MCTs bring in real-world know-how, hands-on knowledge, and are qualified to teach authorized Microsoft courses.