Top AWS Certification for Developers

Are AWS certifications worth it in 2024?

As of 2024, AWS certifications continue to hold significant value in the IT industry, with demand for skilled cloud professionals steadily increasing. Here's a detailed exploration of whether AWS certifications are worth pursuing in 2024:

Industry Relevance

• AWS (Amazon Web Services) remains one of the leading cloud service providers globally, with a vast market share and a wide range of cloud computing solutions.
• As organizations increasingly migrate their infrastructure, applications, and data to the cloud, the demand for professionals proficient in AWS services and technologies continues to grow.
• AWS certifications validate individuals' expertise in designing, deploying, and managing AWS-based solutions, making them highly relevant in today's technology landscape.

Career Opportunities

• Holding AWS certifications can significantly enhance your career prospects by opening up a wide range of job opportunities in cloud computing, IT infrastructure management, DevOps, and related fields.
• Organizations across various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, retail, and more, are actively seeking AWS-certified professionals to lead their cloud initiatives and drive digital transformation.

Salary Potential

• AWS-certified professionals often command higher salaries compared to their non-certified counterparts, reflecting the value placed on their expertise and skills by employers.
• According to industry reports and salary surveys, individuals with AWS certifications, particularly those at the associate and professional levels, can earn above-average salaries and enjoy lucrative career growth opportunities.

Skill Validation

• AWS certifications provide a standardized framework for validating individuals' skills and knowledge in working with AWS cloud services, architectures, security best practices, and more.
• By earning AWS certifications, professionals demonstrate their proficiency in leveraging AWS technologies to design, build, and manage scalable and secure cloud solutions, enhancing their credibility and marketability in the job market.

Continuous Innovation

• AWS continually introduces new services, features, and updates to its cloud platform, reflecting its commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of customers.
• Pursuing AWS certifications allows professionals to stay abreast of the latest developments in cloud computing, expand their skill sets, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry landscape.

Personal and Professional Growth

• Beyond immediate career benefits, AWS certifications offer opportunities for personal and professional growth by enabling individuals to acquire new skills, tackle complex challenges, and contribute meaningfully to their organizations' success.
• Through hands-on experience, training, and certification, professionals can gain confidence in their abilities, broaden their expertise, and take on leadership roles in cloud projects and initiatives.

AWS Certification

AWS certification is officially divided into four categories, with each category having a specific area of expertise. There are 10 different AWS certifications (as of writing this article) as shown below.

• AWS FOUNDATIONAL LEVEL CERTIFICATION

  Includes one:
  
  AWS Cloud Practitioner - Foundational
  
  Scope: A basic understanding of AWS and the services it offers.
  Prerequisites: None

• AWS ASSOCIATE LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS

  Includes three:

1. AWS Solutions Architect – Associate
2. AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate
3. AWS Certified Developer – Associate
   
   
   
   Scope: Gets a little bit deeper about specific areas but still at a basic level

• AWS PROFESSIONAL LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS

  Includes two:

1. AWS Solutions Architect - Professional
2. AWS DevOps Engineer - Professional
   
   Scope: A more detailed understanding of each of the different facets of AWS

• AWS SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS

        Includes four:

1. Advanced Networking - Specialty
2. Security - Specialty
3. Big Data - Specialty
4. Machine Learning - Specialty

Scope: A detailed understanding of one specific area of expertise in AWS

From foundational to the professional level, all of these certifications offered by AWS are role-based and are designed specifically for developers, solutions architect, and system operations administrators.

Willing to learn all the cloud computing concepts from scratch? Enroll in our cloud computing course, get certified, and grab the job and salary you deserve!

Importance of AWS Certification

If you were to ask about the status of AWS certification back when it was launched in 2013, most people would give you a conservative forecast about its popularity in 2019. In just six years, AWS certifications have garnered significant support and demand. The support and demand are indicated by the high number of testing centers around the globe, as well as the multiple languages that offer an AWS course.

Today, the growth and support are predicted to continue for the foreseeable future as more and more enterprise and SMBs (small and medium businesses) continue to adopt cloud computing and the public cloud as a core part of their technology stack. In fact, most professionals and organizations alike see AWS as a thought leader and a point of reference in the cloud computing space because they are the most mature and reliable provider.  

Further evidence of the importance of AWS is what employers are willing to pay AWS professionals. In short, within a relatively short time, AWS certifications have managed to command top salaries when compared to other IT skills.

According to the 2018 IT salary skills report, conducted by Global Knowledge, the highest average IT salaries globally, are as follows:

1. Business Architecture (e.g., TOGAF) Av. Salary $87,863
2. Governance (e.g., COBIT, CGEIT) Av. Salary $84,420
3. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Av. Salary $84,108
4. Knowledge Management (e.g. KCSF, KCSP) Av. Salary $82,823
5. Security and Privacy (e.g., CEH, CISA, CIPM, CISSP) Av. Salary $82,652

If you are interested in obtaining an AWS certification, below is some useful information that will help you understand the different paths you can follow.

AWS Developer

AWS developer certification ensures that candidates can create and maintain applications running on AWS.

• AWS Certified Developer- Associate
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer-Professional

AWS Solutions Architect

AWS Solutions Architect certification ensures that candidates can design distributed applications and systems on AWS.

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional

AWS SysOps Administrator

AWS SysOps Administrator certifications ensure that candidates can provide, operate, and manage distributed application systems on AWS.

• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional

Specialty Certifications

AWS specialty certifications ensure that candidates have unique skill and expertise in specific IT areas while working in AWS.

• AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty
• AWS Certified Security - Specialty
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty
• AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty

Below is detailed information for those that are inclined to pursue AWS certification for developers.

AWS Certification for Developers

Let us discuss what certifications are ideal for developers and details regarding them.  

AWS Certified Developer – Associate

The AWS Developer Associate certification is meant for software developers with at least one year of experience in the design and maintenance of applications on the AWS platform. Candidates must have an in-depth working knowledge of one or more high-level programming languages.

What Are the Important Areas Covered in the Certification?

• Writing code that interacts with AWS services by using APIs, SDKs & AWS CLI.
• Write code for serverless applications
• Choosing the right AWS services for migrating an existing application or optimizing application by using AWS services & features.
• Code-level application security (including encryption, IAM roles, credentials, etc.)
• Deploy code/application using CI/CD services

Prerequisites

The skills and knowledge required before undertaking this certification include:

• 1+ years of hands-on experience in the development and maintenance of AWS-based applications
• Comprehensive knowledge of more than one high-level programming language
• An understanding of foundational AWS including, use and best practices
• Proficiency in development and deployment of AWS cloud-based solutions
• Practical experience and knowledge in developing and maintaining applications programmed for Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Simple Queue Service, Amazon Simple Storage Service, Amazon Simple Notification Service, AWS CloudFormation and AWS Elastic Beanstalk
• Hands-on coding experience with AWS APIs
• Understand AWS deployment tools and automation
• Understand of storage options and consistency models
• In-depth knowledge of one or more AWS SDKs

General IT Knowledge

• Understand stateless and loosely coupled distributed applications
• Basic understanding of RESTful API interfaces
• Basic understanding of databases (relational and non-relational)
• Basic knowledge of messaging and queuing services
• Knowledge of RESTful Web Services, XML, and JSON
• Basic knowledge of the software development lifecycle
• Practical experience with application security (including X.509 certificates, public key encryption, access credentials, and SSH)

Key features

• $299
• 28 hrs. of instructor-led training
• Three simulation exams and 16 live demos of AWS services
• Three hands-on practice projects using AWS console
• Practice assignment after every lesson

Exam Fee and Recertification

• Exam Registration Fee: $150
• Recertification is required every two years (email notification is sent to the candidate 6 months before the expiry of the certification credential)
• Recertification is done either by taking another exam  or by passing a professional-level exam (AWS Solutions Architect – Professional/AWS DevOps Engineer - Professional)

Exam Duration and Structure

• 80 min.
• Multiple-choice questions

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer

The certification covers a deep understanding of both static systems and systems that change over time. It also delves deeper into the design, provisioning, and maintenance of distributed systems and applications on the AWS platform as well as the life cycles of applications in general. The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer certification is a valuable progression between associate-level certifications and the Solutions Architect Professional certification.  

What Are the Important Areas Covered in the Certification?

• Implementation and management of continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS
• Understand, implement and automate governance processes, security controls, and compliance validation
• Define and deploy systems on AWS (metrics monitoring, and logging systems)
• Systems implementation on the AWS platform.
• Design, management, and maintenance of tools used to automate operational processes

Prerequisites

The skills and knowledge required before undertaking this certification include:

• AWS SysOps Administrator - Associate certification or AWS Certified Developer – Associate certification. This is not mandatory, but our recommendation based on the vast experience of training conducted for learners across the industry.
• 2+ years of practical experience on AWS systems (production)
• In-depth knowledge of AWS
• Efficient use of Automation for infrastructure 
• Strategies and techniques for modern development & maintenance of processes & methodologies.

Key features

• $359
• 28 hrs. of instructor-led training and in-depth blended learning
• Lifetime access to on-demand video and course material
• Three real Industry projects with integrated labs  
• Full-time dedicated support with projects

Exam Fee and Recertification

• Exam Registration Fee: $300
• Recertification is required every two years (email notification is sent to the candidate 6 months before the expiry of the certification credential)

Exam Duration and Structure

• 170 min.
• Multiple-choice questions

Real-World Applications of AWS Developer Certifications

The real-world applications of AWS Developer Certifications are diverse and impactful. Certified AWS Developers possess the knowledge and skills to architect, develop, and optimize applications using AWS services. Some key real-world applications include:

• Scalable Application Development

• Certified developers excel in designing and building scalable applications that can handle varying workloads efficiently.
• They leverage AWS services like AWS Lambda, EC2, and Auto Scaling to ensure applications meet performance demands.

• Infrastructure Optimization

• AWS-certified developers optimize infrastructure by implementing best practices for resource provisioning, cost management, and performance tuning.
• Utilizing services such as Amazon CloudWatch and AWS Auto Scaling, they ensure optimal resource utilization.

• Serverless Architecture Implementation

• Developers leverage serverless architecture using AWS Lambda to build applications without the need to manage servers.
• AWS Developer Certifications equip professionals to design and implement serverless solutions efficiently.

• Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD)

• Certified developers implement robust CI/CD pipelines using AWS CodePipeline and AWS CodeDeploy, automating the software development lifecycle.
• They ensure reliable and rapid delivery of applications with minimal downtime.

• Microservices Development

• AWS-certified developers excel in designing, deploying, and managing microservices architectures using AWS services like Amazon ECS and AWS Fargate.
• They build resilient and scalable applications by leveraging containerization.

• Data Storage and Management

• Certified developers proficiently manage data with AWS services like Amazon S3, DynamoDB, and Amazon RDS.
• They design and implement reliable and scalable data storage solutions based on specific application requirements.

• Security Implementation

• AWS Developer Certifications equip professionals to implement robust security measures, ensuring data privacy and compliance.
• They use AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) and other security services to secure applications and infrastructure.

• Integration with AWS Services

• Certified developers seamlessly integrate applications with various AWS services, fostering interoperability.
• They leverage services like Amazon SQS, SNS, and API Gateway for efficient communication between components.

AWS Developer Certifications empower professionals to apply their expertise across a spectrum of real-world scenarios, enhancing the efficiency, scalability, and security of cloud-based applications and infrastructure.

Benefits of Obtaining AWS Certification

Obtaining AWS (Amazon Web Services) certification offers numerous benefits for IT professionals and organizations alike. Here's an in-depth exploration of the advantages of becoming AWS certified:

Enhanced Career Opportunities

• AWS certifications significantly broaden job prospects by opening up a wide range of career opportunities in cloud computing, IT infrastructure management, DevOps, and related fields.
• With the increasing adoption of cloud technologies by organizations worldwide, the demand for skilled professionals proficient in AWS services and solutions continues to grow, creating a strong demand for AWS-certified professionals in the job market.

Validation of Expertise

• AWS certifications serve as a tangible validation of an individual's expertise and proficiency in designing, deploying, and managing AWS-based solutions.
• By earning AWS certifications, professionals demonstrate their skills in leveraging AWS services, architectures, security best practices, and more, enhancing their credibility and marketability in the IT industry.

Competitive Edge

• In a competitive job market, AWS certification provides a distinct competitive edge by distinguishing certified professionals from their non-certified counterparts.
• Employers often prioritize candidates with AWS certifications when hiring for cloud-related roles, recognizing the value of certified professionals in driving successful cloud initiatives and projects.

Salary Potential

• AWS-certified professionals typically command higher salaries compared to their non-certified peers, reflecting the premium placed on their expertise and skills by employers.
• Industry reports and salary surveys consistently highlight the financial benefits of AWS certifications, with certified professionals earning above-average salaries and enjoying lucrative career growth opportunities.

Access to Exclusive Resources

• AWS certification provides access to exclusive resources, including official study guides, training materials, practice exams, and hands-on labs, designed to help candidates prepare for certification exams effectively.
• Additionally, certified professionals gain access to the AWS Certification Lounge at select AWS events, networking opportunities with peers and experts, and invitations to exclusive AWS Certified events and webinars.

Continuous Learning and Skill Development

• Pursuing AWS certification offers an opportunity for continuous learning and skill development, allowing professionals to stay abreast of the latest developments in cloud computing and AWS services.
• Through hands-on experience, training, and certification, professionals can acquire new skills, deepen their understanding of AWS technologies, and expand their expertise to meet evolving industry demands.

Industry Recognition

• AWS certifications are globally recognized credentials endorsed by AWS, the leading cloud service provider, and are valued by organizations across various industries.
• Holding AWS certification demonstrates commitment to professional development and excellence in cloud computing, earning recognition and respect from peers, employers, and industry experts.

AWS Stats and Salary Trends

Below are some useful statistics on AWS developer certification. The first image shows AWS certification, among other IT certifications in the global landscape. The rest of the information shows AWS developer courses in two countries, the USA and India.

Figure 1: Top 20 global IT skills salaries

AWS Certified Developer – Associate

Figure 2: AWS Certified Developer – Associate professionals by country

Figure 3: AWS Certified Developer – Associate top companies hiring

AWS Developer Salary in the USA

Average AWS Certified Developer - Associate salary in the US: $96K

Average salary by skill/specialty

Top Employers/Companies Hiring:

• Amazon.com Inc - $111,573 - $161,171
• Capital One Financial Corp - $70,957 - $128,108
• Booz, Allen, and Hamilton - $67,708 - $96,650
• Slalom Consulting - $75,000 - $127,500
• Accenture - $102,500 - $131,984

Years of Experience:

• Less than 1 year 1%
• 1-4 years 48%
• 5-9 years 22%
• 10-19 years 21%
• 20 years or more 7%

Gender:

• Female: 11% - $66,040 - $110,141
• Male: 89% - $64,884 - $123,568

AWS Developer Salary in India

Average AWS Certified Developer - Associate salary in India: Rs 690K

Average salary by skill/specialty

Top Employers/Companies Hiring:

• Tata Consultancy Services Limited - Rs 378,000 - Rs 489,250
• Wipro Technologies Ltd. - Rs 997,000
• Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp - Rs 550,000
• Accenture Technology Solutions - Rs 800,000
• Mindtree Consulting - Rs 499,001

Years of Experience:

• Less than 1 year 3%
• 1-4 years 56%
• 5-9 years 28%
• 10-19 years 13%

Gender:

• Female: 9% - Rs Rs 550,000 - Rs 859,884
• Male: 91% - RsRs 335,481 - Rs 1,435,723

AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional

Figure 4: AWS DevOps Engineer – Professionals by country

Figure 5: AWS DevOps Engineer – top companies, hiring

AWS DevOps Engineer Professional Salary in the USA

Average AWS DevOps Engineer Salary in the USA: $118K

Average salary by skill/specialty

Top Employers/Companies Hiring:

• Amazon.com Inc $110,000 - $160,000

Years of Experience:

• Less than 1 year 4%
• 1-4 years 30%
• 5-9 years 30%
• 10-19 years 25%
• 20 years or more 11%

Gender:

• Female: 2% - Salary Data Not Available
• Male: 98% - $67,871 - $139,249

AWS DevOps Engineer Professional Salary in INDIA

Average AWS DevOps Engineer salary in India: Rs 1M

Average salary by skill/specialty

Top Cities Hiring:

• Bangalore, Karnataka Rs 650,000 - Rs 2,300,000

Years of Experience:

• Less than 1 year 4%
• 1-4 years 30%
• 5-9 years 39%
• 10-19 years 26%

Gender:

• Female: Data Not Available
• Male: Data Not Available

Conclusion

The information mentioned above clearly shows that Amazon Web Services certifications such as AWS Cloud Architect can open the doors to many challenging job opportunities in your IT career. So, what are you waiting for? Gain expertise in AWS with Simplilearn’s AWS training programs. You can also leave a comment for any issues related to AWS certification.

FAQs

1. Which AWS course is best for beginners?

For beginners, the best AWS course is typically the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner course. This certification is designed to provide a foundational understanding of AWS cloud services, architecture, security, and compliance. It covers essential concepts such as AWS cloud economics, basic AWS services, and cloud deployment models. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner course does not require extensive technical experience and serves as an excellent starting point for individuals who are new to cloud computing or AWS.

2. Which AWS certification is best for developers?

For developers, the AWS Certified Developer - Associate certification is highly recommended. This certification validates proficiency in developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS services. It covers topics such as AWS SDKs, AWS CLI, application deployment, and monitoring. The AWS Certified Developer - Associate certification is tailored for individuals who work as software developers and are involved in building scalable and reliable applications on the AWS platform.

3. What AWS Certification Pays Most?

Among AWS certifications, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional credential typically pays the highest salaries. This certification is designed for experienced professionals who possess advanced skills in designing and deploying AWS architectures for complex enterprise-level applications. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional exam validates expertise in areas such as architectural design, scalability, security, and migration strategies. Due to the specialized nature of the certification and the demand for skilled architects, professionals holding this certification often command top salaries in the industry.

4. What are the different levels of AWS certifications?

AWS certifications are categorized into three levels: Foundational, Associate, and Professional:

• Foundational: The foundational level certification is the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. It covers basic cloud concepts and AWS services, making it suitable for individuals with little or no prior experience with AWS.
• Associate: The associate level certifications include AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate, AWS Certified Developer - Associate, and AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate. These certifications validate proficiency in specific roles such as architecting, developing, and operating AWS solutions.
• Professional: The professional level certifications are AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional and AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional. These certifications are designed for experienced professionals who possess advanced skills and expertise in architecting and managing complex AWS environments.

5. Which AWS certification is easiest?

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam is often considered the easiest AWS certification. It serves as an entry-level certification and does not require in-depth technical knowledge or extensive hands-on experience with AWS. The exam covers fundamental concepts of cloud computing and AWS services, making it accessible to individuals with various backgrounds and skill levels. While the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam is relatively straightforward compared to other certifications, it still requires thorough preparation and understanding of basic cloud principles.

6. Which AWS certificate is most in demand?

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification is among the most in-demand AWS certifications. This certification validates skills in designing and deploying scalable, reliable, and cost-effective AWS solutions. Solutions architects play a critical role in designing architectures that meet business requirements and align with AWS best practices. As cloud adoption continues to accelerate, there is a growing demand for skilled solutions architects who can design and implement AWS solutions effectively. Therefore, professionals holding the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification are highly sought after in the job market.