Azure Certifications: Ultimate Guide (2025 Update)

Are you curious about cloud computing and wondering how to get started? Azure certifications are a smart first step. In 2025, more companies than ever are moving to the cloud, and Microsoft Azure is leading the way—over 70% of Fortune 500 companies use Azure for their business. Getting certified in Azure is more than just a resume boost. It’s a proven way to learn real-world cloud skills, stand out to employers, and unlock new job opportunities.

In fact, jobs asking for Azure skills have grown by over 30% in the last year. Not sure where to begin? Start with the AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals exam to learn the basics. From there, you can move up to AZ-104: Azure Administrator to manage cloud resources, or try AZ-204: Azure Developer if you like building apps. If you want to design big-picture solutions, aim for AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect.

In this Azure Tutorial, let's learn about Azure certifications. These certifications are highly valued by top companies, helping you secure better jobs and higher salaries. Azure experts are in great demand worldwide, so earning these certificates will boost your career and open many opportunities in the fast-growing cloud industry.

Understanding the Levels of Azure Certification

Azure certifications are categorised into tiers to accommodate levels of expertise and career phases:

1. Foundational: Geared towards beginners seeking to grasp the fundamentals of Azure.
2. Associate: Tailored for professionals with some experience focusing on specific job roles.
3. Expert: Designed for seasoned professionals aiming to excel in Azure skills.
4. Speciality: Intended for individuals looking to specialize in areas within Azure.

Top Microsoft Azure Certifications

Azure Certifications are available at different Levels:

1. Fundamental Azure Certifications
2. Associate Azure Certifications
3. Expert Azure Certifications

1. Fundamental Azure Certifications

The Azure certification journey begins with Fundamental certifications. They cover fundamental cloud ideas and Azure services and are intended for beginners. This level is perfect for people who are unfamiliar with cloud computing or want to learn the fundamentals of Azure.

1. AZ-900: AzureFundamentals Certification

AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals Certification is designed for individuals new to Azure or cloud services who lack a technical background.

• Covered Skills: Fundamental cloud concepts and Azure services, such as basic Azure services, security, privacy, compliance, and trust, as well as pricing and support for Azure.
• Requirements: There are no prerequisites; however, having some general IT expertise or understanding is helpful.
• Price: US $99/ INR 8,314

Career Opportunities:

• Cloud Support Specialist (15%)
• IT Support Technician (20%)
• Sales/Business Development (10%)
• Entry-Level Cloud Roles (55%)

Future Scope:

As cloud adoption grows, foundational knowledge of Azure will become a prerequisite for many roles.Ideal for non-technical professionals transitioning into cloud careers.

Industry Insights:

Over 500,000 professionals have earned this certification globally.Azure Fundamentals is often a stepping stone to more advanced certifications.

Salary After AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals Certification

If you complete AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals, you can get a beginner cloud job with a salary of ₹3.5 to ₹6 LPA in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Delhi. In other countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, the salary can be ₹35 to ₹55 lakhs per year in Indian value. This is a great starting point to grow your cloud career and earn more with higher Azure certifications.

2. AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals Certification

AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals Certification is for anyone interested in leveraging Azure services to grasp AI and machine learning ideas, regardless of their background in technology.

• Covered Skills: These include computer vision, natural language processing, conversational AI, Azure AI services, and fundamental AI and machine learning principles.
• Requirements: While not necessary, familiarity with client-server apps and fundamental cloud principles is advantageous.
• Price: US $99/ INR 8,314

Career Opportunities:

• AI Engineer (30%)
• Data Analyst (20%)
• Business Intelligence Specialist (15%)
• Entry-Level AI Roles (35%)

Salary Insight After AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals Certification

After completing AI-900, beginners can get jobs like AI Support Assistant or Junior AI Analyst with a salary of ₹3 to ₹5 LPA in India. In countries like the USA or UK, it can be around ₹35 to ₹60 lakhs per year in Indian value. This certification helps you start your AI journey and gives a good base for advanced AI or cloud roles

3. DP-900: Azure Data Fundamentals Certification

DP-900: Azure Data Fundamentals certification is designed for individuals in both technical and non-technical roles who are beginning to work with data in the cloud.

• Covered Skills: Relational and non-relational data on Azure, and workloads related to analytics are covered.
• Requirements: Although not necessary, familiarity with cloud systems and data principles is suggested.
• Price: around $99US / INR 8,314

Career Opportunities:

• Data Analyst (25%)
• Database Administrator (20%)
• Business Intelligence Specialist (15%)
• Entry-Level Data Roles (40%)

Salary Insight:

After completing DP-900, freshers can get roles like Data Analyst Intern, Junior Data Engineer, or Database Assistant. In India, the salary usually ranges from ₹3.5 to ₹6 LPA, depending on the city and company. In the USA, beginners can earn around $55,000 to $75,000 per year, which is about ₹45 to ₹60 lakhs in Indian value. This certification is a great first step toward a career in data and cloud.

Associate Azure Certifications

Associate certifications are intended for people who have some prior knowledge of cloud services. They go deeper into particular positions such as Security Engineer, Developer, or Azure Administrator. These certifications usually entail more advanced concepts than the fundamental level and call for a foundational understanding of Azure.

4. AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate Certification

AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate Certification is for those people with experience in Azure administration who oversee cloud services, including networking, storage, and computing.

• Covered Skills: Managing Azure identities, storage, computing, virtual networks, and governance in a cloud context are among the skills covered.
• Requirements: Six months of practical Azure administration experience, along with a solid understanding of Azure workloads, security, and governance.
• Price: $165/ 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Azure Administrator (40%)
• Systems Administrator (25%)
• IT Support Engineer (20%)
• DevOps Engineer (15%)

Salary Insight After AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate Certification

After completing AZ-104, you can apply for roles like Azure Administrator, Cloud Engineer, or System Administrator. In India, salaries usually range from ₹6 to ₹12 LPA, depending on your experience, city, and company. In the USA, certified professionals can earn between $80,000 to $110,000 per year, which is around ₹66 to ₹91 lakhs in Indian value. This mid-level certification is highly valued and opens doors to stable, well-paying cloud jobs.

5. AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate Certification

AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate Certification is suitable for Skilled developers with prior Azure experience.

• Covered Skills: Designing, developing, testing, and supporting cloud services and apps on Azure are among the skills covered.
• Requirements: A minimum of one year's experience in professional development and familiarity with Azure.
• Price: $165 USD/ 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Cloud Developer (50%)
• Application Developer (30%)
• DevOps Engineer (20%)

Salary Insight After AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate Certification

After completing AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate, you can get jobs like Azure Developer or Cloud Software Engineer. In India, salaries usually range from ₹7 to ₹14 LPA. In the USA, you can earn around $90,000 to $120,000 per year. This certification helps you get good cloud developer jobs and grow your career.

6. AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer Associate Certification

AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer Associate Certification is intended for IT professionals with a focus on security and compliance.

• Covered Skills: Implementing security policies, upholding posture, spotting vulnerabilities, and making use of a range of security technologies are among the skills covered.
• Requirements: Strong programming, security, and Azure service abilities are prerequisites.
• Price: $165 USD/ 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Cloud Security Engineer (40%)
• Cybersecurity Specialist (30%)
• IT Security Administrator (20%)
• Compliance Officer (10%)

Salary Insight after AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer Associate Certification

After completing AZ-500, you can work as a Cloud Security Engineer or Azure Security Analyst. In India, the salary ranges from ₹8 to ₹16 LPA, based on experience and company. In the USA, salaries are around $100,000 to $130,000 per year. This certification is in high demand and helps you build a strong career in cloud security.

7. DP-100: Azure Data Scientist Associate Certification

DP-100: Azure Data Scientist Associate Certification is designed for experts and data scientists who use Azure to develop and execute machine learning applications.

• Covered Skills: Developing and executing machine learning and data science applications on Azure is one of the covered skills.
• Requirements: Experience with Azure Machine Learning and data science is required.
• Price: $165/ 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Data Scientist (50%)
• Machine Learning Engineer (30%)
• AI Specialist (20%)

Salary Insight after DP-100: Azure Data Scientist Associate Certification

After completing DP-100, you can work as a Data Scientist or Machine Learning Engineer on Azure platforms. In India, salaries range from ₹8 to ₹18 LPA, depending on your skills and experience. In the USA, certified professionals earn around $100,000 to $140,000 per year. This certification is perfect for those aiming for high-paying roles in AI and data science.

8. DP-203: Azure Data Engineer Associate Certification

DP-203: Azure Data Engineer Associate Certification is suitable for Data engineers with an emphasis on Azure data solutions.

• Covered Skills: creating and implementing data solutions for processing, storage, and security; monitoring and optimizing data.
• Requirements: familiarity with Azure data services and data processing languages like Python and SQL.
• Price: $165 USD/ 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Azure Data Engineer (50%)
• Big Data Specialist (30%)
• Cloud Data Architect (20%)

Salary Insight after DP-203: Azure Data Engineer Associate Certification

After completing DP-203, you can work as a Data Engineer, ETL Developer, or Azure Data Engineer. In India, the salary usually ranges from ₹9 to ₹18 LPA, based on experience and company. In the USA, professionals earn around $100,000 to $140,000 per year. This certification is great for building a strong career in big data and cloud-based data solutions.

9. DP-300: Azure Database Administrator Associate Certification

Database administrators and data professionals are the target audience for the given DP-300: Azure Database Administrator Associate Certification.

• Covered Skills: Azure relational database management, including availability, performance, and security.
• Requirements: Prior knowledge of Azure SQL and database fundamentals is required.
• Price: $165 USD/ 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Database Administrator (60%)
• Data Analyst (20%)
• Cloud Database Specialist (20%)

Salary Insight after DP-300: Azure Database Administrator Associate Certification

After completing DP-300, you can work as a Database Administrator, Azure SQL Administrator, or Cloud Database Engineer. In India, salaries range from ₹6 to ₹13 LPA, depending on experience and company. In the USA, professionals earn around $90,000 to $120,000 per year. This certification is ideal for those who want a solid career in cloud-based database management.

10.PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst Associate Certification

PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst Associate Certification is designed for data analysts who use Power BI for both data visualization and analysis.

• Covered skills: It includes data preparation, modeling, visualization, and Power BI analysis.
• Requirements: Experience analyzing both relational and non-relational data from a variety of data sources is required.
• Price: $ 165 USD / 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Data Analyst (50%)
• Business Intelligence Specialist (30%)
• Reporting Analyst (20%)

Salary Insight after PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst Associate Certification

After completing PL-300, you can work as a Power BI Analyst, Data Analyst, or Business Intelligence Developer. In India, the salary usually ranges from ₹5 to ₹10 LPA, depending on skills and experience. In the USA, professionals can earn around $80,000 to $110,000 per year. This certification is a great choice for starting or growing a career in data analysis and business intelligence.

Expert Azure Certifications

The highest level of Azure qualifications are expert certificates. These certifications, which are aimed at experienced professionals, require a thorough understanding of Azure architecture and services. They are appropriate for those with a great deal of experience who have specialized in fields such as Azure DevOps Engineering or Azure Solutions Architecture.

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11. AZ-305: Specialist in Azure Solutions Architecture Certification

AZ-305: Specialist in Azure Solutions Architecture Certifications are for Azure infrastructure solution-focused solution architects and engineers.

• Covered skills: Designing solutions that run on Azure, including aspects like computing, network, storage, and security.
• Requirements: Advanced familiarity with networking, virtualization, identification, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platforms, and governance is a prerequisite.
• Price: $165 USD/ 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Cloud Architect (50%)
• Solutions Architect (30%)
• IT Consultant (20%)

Salary Insight after AZ-305: Specialist in Azure Solutions Architecture Certifications

After completing AZ-305, you can work as an Azure Solutions Architect, Cloud Architect, or Technical Lead. In India, salaries range from ₹15 to ₹30 LPA, based on experience and company. In the USA, professionals earn around $120,000 to $160,000 per year. This expert-level certification is highly valued and leads to top cloud architecture roles with high pay.

12. AZ-400: Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert Certification

AZ-400: Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert certification is for professionals who manage DevOps processes like CI/CD, automation, and cloud infrastructure on Microsoft Azure.

• Covered skills: Using technology, people, and processes to consistently produce useful goods and services.
• Requirements: Minimum requirements include having experience in at least one of these domains and being familiar with Azure development and administration.
• Price: $165 US/ 13,857 INR

Career Opportunities:

• Azure DevOps Engineer (50%)
• Cloud Engineer (30%)
• Release Manager (20%)

Salary Insight after 

After completing AZ-400, you can work as a DevOps Engineer, Cloud DevOps Consultant, or Site Reliability Engineer. In India, salaries usually range from ₹12 to ₹25 LPA, depending on experience and skills. In the USA, certified DevOps professionals earn around $120,000 to $150,000 per year. This expert-level certification is in high demand and leads to high-paying roles in cloud automation and deployment.

Why You Should Go for the Azure Certification?

Before diving into the best Azure certification, let’s look at why Azure certifications are worth your time and effort:

1. The Growing Power of Cloud Computing

The cloud computing market is growing at an unprecedented rate. In the last few years, it’s estimated that over 80% of enterprises will rely on cloud services for their operations. Microsoft Azure, being one of the top cloud platforms alongside AWS and Google Cloud, powers countless businesses globally. By earning an Azure certification, you can position yourself as a key player in this booming industry.

The global cloud computing market is projected to grow from 480 billion in 2022 to over 1.2 trillion by 2028, with Azure being one of the leading platforms. This growth translates to a surge in demand for skilled cloud professionals.

2. High Demand for Azure Skills

According to the last LinkedIn report, Azure skills are among the top 10 most in-demand technical skills globally. With over 100,000 job postings in the U.S. alone requiring Azure expertise, certification can significantly boost your employability.

3. Enterprise Adoption

Azure is used by 95% of Fortune 500 companies, making it one of the most trusted cloud platforms for enterprises.

4. Future-Proof Your Skills

Cloud computing is not just a trend, it’s the foundation of the future. As technologies like AI, machine learning, IoT, and big data continue to evolve, they rely heavily on cloud platforms like Azure. By getting certified, you future-proof your career and ensure your skills remain relevant in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

5. High Earning Potential

Certified Azure professionals are among the highest-paid in the IT industry. According to recent surveys, Azure-certified individuals earn significantly more than their non-certified peers. For example, an Azure Solutions Architect can earn an average salary of $150,000 or more annually, depending on experience and location.

Advantages of Obtaining an Azure Certification for Advancing Your Career

• 1. Expanded Knowledge and Skills: With Azure certification, you can acquire insights into core concepts such as Azure services and industry best practices.
• 2. Industry Acknowledgment: Certifications hold recognition, enhancing your credibility.
• 3. Improved Job Prospects: Certified experts are highly sought after, leading to career opportunities.
• 4. Increased Earning Potential: Certifications can pave the way for salaries and advanced positions.
• 5. Professional Development: Continuous learning through certifications aids in staying up to date with the technological advancements.

Comparison of all Azure Certifications in 2025

The table below compares all of the various Azure certifications to help you choose the right one.

Tips to Pick the Right Azure Certification

When selecting the right Azure certification for yourself it's important to consider factors such as your skills, career goals, and areas of interest.

1. Rebrush Your Current Skill Level and Experience

• Beginner: Start with foundational certifications like Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900).
• Intermediate: For some Azure experience, go for associate-level certifications like Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204).
• Advanced: If you have extensive experience, expert-level certifications like Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) or Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) are recommended.

2. Define Your Career Goals

• Administration: Choose Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) for managing Azure environments.
• Development: If you aim to develop cloud apps, pick Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204).
• Architecture: For designing Azure solutions, go for Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).
• DevOps: Integrate development and operations with Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400).

3. Consider Your Current Job Role or Desired Position

• IT Administrators: Certifications like AZ-104 for managing Azure resources are ideal.
• Developers: Opt for AZ-204 to build and deploy Azure apps.
• Architects: Pick AZ-305 to design comprehensive Azure solutions.
• Security Professionals: Consider Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) for specialization.

4. Evaluate Prerequisites and Required Knowledge

• Ensure you meet the prerequisites for the certification. For example, Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) may require an associate-level certification like AZ-104.

5. Research Industry Demand and Job Market Trends

• Check platforms like LinkedIn and job boards to understand which certifications are in high demand.

6. Align with Your Interests and Strengths

• Pick certifications that match your passion and strengths. For example, developers should consider AZ-204 if they enjoy coding.

7. Consider the Certification Path and Future Opportunities

• Look at the certification path to understand how one certification leads to another. For example, AZ-900 → AZ-104 → AZ-305.

8. Evaluate the Time and Resources Required

• Assess the time, effort, and financial investment needed to prepare for the certification.

9. Leverage Official Microsoft Resources

• Utilize Microsoft's official certification resources like study guides, learning modules, and practice exams.

10. Seek Advice from Professionals and Communities

• Join Azure communities or LinkedIn groups to gain insights and recommendations from other professionals.

11. Plan for Recertification and Continuing Education

• Microsoft certifications may require renewal, so choose certifications aligned with your long-term career plans.

12. Take Practice Exams and Assess Readiness

• Use practice tests to evaluate your knowledge and readiness for the exam. Identify areas that need more study.

Example Certification Paths Based on Roles

Preparing for Azure Certification through Scholarhat

Microsoft Azure certifications are highly sought after as the market for cloud computing technology expands. Cloud computing is one of the industries that is growing the fastest, and more companies are looking for certified Azure administrators, solution architects, developers, and security engineers. Azure Certification (Az-104) training course leads to learning Azure and thus the learner can achieve the badge.

During this Azure training, the learner will be following the Azure certifications path to learn the configuration of numerous services such as Virtual Machines and Networking, Azure Application Services, Scripting and Automation, Azure Active Directory, and Managing Azure Storage.

Microsoft Azure Online Training Objectives

Participants of this Microsoft Azure Online Training course will have the following skills after completing this course:

• Configure and deploy virtual machines
• Manage virtual machine workloads, networks, disks, and storage
• Configure and deploy virtual machines through scripts.
• Configure, deploy, and manage application services.
• Manage Azure storage offerings - blobs, Azure files, and recovery services.
• Integrate Azure Active Directory.
• Implement recovery services.
• Monitoring Azure services on Azure.
• Prepare you for the Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104 Exam)

Pre-requisites

There are no specific prerequisites for participating in this Microsoft Azure Training course. Anyone interested in taking this course should be familiar with computers and programming

Who can Join?

This training molds to learn Azure and achieve the Azure certification. IT professionals who wish to work in cloud computing and become Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Specialists should take this course. The ideal candidates for this Azure course are:

• IT Administrators
• Network Engineers/Server Engineers
• IT Professionals/Application Developers
• DevOps Engineers

Tools/SDK/IDE

• Azure Portal, Azure SDK, Azure CLI, VS Code

Conclusion

We have learned various types of Azure certifications you can do. Because, in cloud computing, the Microsoft Azure certification holds value for IT professionals. Also, it gives you an edge, in the competitive job market. Selecting the right certification and committing to learning can grow your data management skills and propel your career forward in 2025 and beyond.

You can also consider our Microsoft Azure Certification Course for a better understanding of Azure. To become an Azure developer or cloud developer, follow our listed Roadmaps and make it happen.

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