AWS SysOps Administrator vs Azure Administrator
Compare AWS SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02) with Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) for cloud operations roles.
AWS SysOps Administrator Associate
Amazon Web Services
Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
Microsoft
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Compare all aspects of these certifications side by side
| Feature | AWS SysOps Administrator Associate | Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft |
| Difficulty Level | Associate | Associate |
| Exam Duration | 180 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Exam Cost | $150 USD | $165 USD |
| Exam Format | 65 questions + exam labs | 40-60 questions + labs |
| Prerequisites | 1+ year AWS operations experience | 6+ months Azure experience |
| Validity Period | 3 years | 1 year (renewal) |
| Ideal For | Cloud operations engineers managing AWS infrastructure | IT admins transitioning to Azure cloud |
| Salary Range | $110,000 - $155,000 | $105,000 - $150,000 |
What Each Certification Covers
Key topics and domains covered in each exam
AWS SysOps Administrator Associate Focus Areas
- CloudWatch
- Auto Scaling
- Systems Manager
- VPC
- IAM
- Cost Optimization
Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) Focus Areas
- Azure AD
- Virtual Networks
- Storage
- Compute
- Monitoring
- Governance
Our Recommendation
Both validate cloud administration skills. AWS has harder exam with labs, Azure has more frequent renewals.
Choose AWS SysOps Administrator Associate
Choose AWS SysOps if managing AWS infrastructure or working in AWS-focused companies.
Choose Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
Choose AZ-104 if your organization uses Microsoft Azure or hybrid cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: AWS SysOps Administrator Associate or Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)?
Both validate cloud administration skills. AWS has harder exam with labs, Azure has more frequent renewals.
What are the salary differences between AWS SysOps Administrator Associate?
AWS SysOps Administrator Associate typically offers salaries around $110,000 - $155,000, while Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) offers $105,000 - $150,000.
Which certification should I get first?
Choose AWS SysOps if managing AWS infrastructure or working in AWS-focused companies. Choose AZ-104 if your organization uses Microsoft Azure or hybrid cloud.
How long does it take to prepare for these certifications?
Preparation time varies based on experience. Most candidates spend 4-12 weeks studying, depending on their background and the certification difficulty level.
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