AWS vs Azure: 8 factors to Consider for a Bright Career and Better Salary

Introduction

Are you lost in your thought cloud while analyzing the best platform for cloud computing?

Are you someone who is in the final year of graduation or looking for a new opportunity or thinking of switching your job or unfortunately has lost your job to the pandemic and you want a boost in your career and AWS vs Azure certification is your concern at the moment?

Then you have entered the right space, keep reading.

It won’t be wrong if I say not only cloud computing is used worldwide but soon

the world of IT is going to shrink into cloud computing platforms for better revenue. Cloud computing generated more than 300 billion U.S. dollars in 2020 in revenue. With the booming need for cloud computing, companies are looking for cloud experts at an exceeding rate. According to the data from indeed, between 2018 to 2021, the share of cloud computing jobs increased 42% per million.

So, you have made a wise decision to invest your time and energy in learning cloud computing, and to help you with a wiser decision, I am here to burst your thought cloud and let you come out with a better insight.

Without further delay, let’s dive into the cloud of information.

AWS vs Azure: In a Glance

Amazon Cloud Services ( AWS) and Microsoft Azure, both being two of the leading public cloud services, have been providing eminently operating, cost-effective and scalable services and proving to be better substitutes of conventional on-premises applications. AWS is leading and dominating the market since it started in 2006 and Microsoft Azure, which started in 2010, is briskly catching up with the pace, following AWS.

AWS vs Azure Comparison to Decide Your Side

Criteria	AWS	Azure
Services	EC2	VMs
Availability zone	81 zones in 25 geographical regions	More than 60 zones in 140+ countries
Market share	32%	21%
Brands worked with	Netflix, Linkedin, Spotify, twitch, Airbnb, Facebook	Twitter, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Samsung, HSBC
Popularity	41.5%	29.4%
Revenue Growth	32%	50%
Open Source	More open to open source community	Less open to open source community
Hybrid Cloud	Reinventing hybrid cloud	Excels in Hybrid Cloud Market
Licencing	Offers more flexibility	Closing fast with AWS
Linux Ecosystem	Extensive support for Linux	Still building up

Both AWS and Microsoft Azure provides similar services but both are thriving to come first. From the AWS vs Azure comparison, It is evident that AWS is more popular among the two but as per the market share and revenue growth represented, it depicts the faster arrival of Microsoft Azure.

Why is AWS vs Azure Certification Essential In this Technology-driven World?

With the onset of a pandemic, most enterprises are transforming digitally and the usage of the cloud is burgeoning. And the demand for IT professionals having cloud computing knowledge is also booming. 90% of IT professionals say certifications enhance performance, innovation, and work outcomes. 87% of hiring managers believe hands-on experience and certification id is more valuable than any graduation degree. According to Forbes, out of the top 5 paying certifications, 4 are in cloud computing.

As the importance of certification is quite obvious by now, let’s proceed towards the selection of certification as it won’t be wrong if we say the two top cloud platforms, AWS and Azure are the Kong and Godzilla of the market, and choosing one is quite a pickle.

Let’s proceed to AWS vs Azure certification.

AWS Certification

AWS launched its certification program in 2013, and currently, it offers 11 certifications, which include 5 core certifications and 6 specialty certifications. The core certifications have 3 tiers, Foundational, Associate, and Professional. The two highest-paying certifications are AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

Azure Certification

Even though Microsoft Azure started late, it’s moving fast as per its market growth, and most of the fortune 500 companies rely on Azure. With this progress, currently, Azure offers 9 certifications, which includes 3 fundamentals, 3 role-based, and 3 additional certifications. The levels are fundamentals, associate, expert, and speciality.  Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Associate and Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals are the two highest-paying certifications from Microsoft.

Cross-certification: In the Era of Multicloud

92% of companies have a multi-cloud strategy, which is a combination of AWS, Azure, and Google cloud. Most of the companies are heading towards using multiple clouds according to their technical requirements, geographical needs, and other factors. It provides certain advantages to the organizations like competitive cost, door to innovation, and higher efficiency. So, most of the Enterprises are in search of candidates who have basic knowledge of 2-3 leading cloud computing platforms.

A perfect example of a company that has recently partnered with all the 3 progressing 

Cloud provider is NOKIA. Telecom equipment maker NOKIA has partnered with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud to provide cloud-based 5G solutions.

AWS vs Azure: Which is better for your career?

If we analyze  AWS vs Azure which is better from a career point of view? many factors can affect the decision. Let’s compare the 8 major factors that can help you make a better decision for your career. 

1. AWS vs Azure Salary: Which can Get You a Hike?

When we think about starting a career or switching one, we always expect to get a greater package. Let's see who wins in the AWS vs Azure salary race.

As per the Global Knowledge report 2021, the Average salary of an AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate is $159,033. According to Forbes 2019 report, AWS certifications are among the most profitable in North America offering an average salary of $129,868 and $147,357 respectively. Cross-certifying on AWS provides an increment of $12k to the IT professionals, who already have secured a certificate with Citrix and Red Hat/Linux certificates. In India, You can expect a salary hike of 16% with AWS certification.

According to the Global Knowledge report 2021, the average salary of an Azure solution certified expert is $125,980 in the US. And an Azure certified administrator associate’s average salary is $121.420. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certified professionals can earn an average salary of Rs. 9,00,000 per year in India.

So clearly, in the AWS vs Azure salary comparison, the salary of an AWS-certified IT professional exceeds that of an Azure-certified IT professional.

2. AWS vs Azure Scope

AWS is the world’s largest cloud provider but Azure’s market growth is also rapidly expanding. AWS is more customer-focused while Azure is more enterprise-focused. As per popularity AWS wins but it is also in the market for a long time so the competition increases respectively. So, the opportunities are plenty in both, it depends on experience and requirement.

3. AWS vs Azure Certification: Credibility Score

AWS certification issues digital badges and as the certification is popular and has been in work for long before, It gives flexible options for recognition and verification. The AWS certificate remains valid for 3 years then you have to go for recertification.

Microsoft says “ Become Microsoft certified and build your resilience for today’s and tomorrow’s digital economy”. Microsoft issues industry-recognized certifications, which will help update the LinkedIn profiles and help attract more job opportunities. The azure certificate remains valid for 2 years then you have to go for recertification.

4. Current Data on AWS vs Azure Job Opportunities

If we enter the keyword in Linkedin, currently it shows more than 35k job postings for AWS and more than 30k job postings for Azure. So, apparently, In the game of AWS vs Azure job opportunities, AWS is ahead of Azure but as Azure is not that far behind one can go for either of the certification or both based on the dream job or employer.

5. AWS vs Azure Job: What are the Top IT companies Searching For?

If we look for the top companies hiring for AWS certified IT professionals, the company list goes like Accenture, IBM, Capgemini, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant, Brillio, Tech Mahindra, Amazon, etc. 

If we look for the top companies hiring for Azure certified IT professionals, it goes like, Microsoft, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant, HCL, Novartis, Accenture, etc.

Both the certifications are very popular among fortune 500 companies.

6. AWS vs Azure Exam Details

AWS Exam

• Format: Multiple choice questions
• Length: 90-30 minutes
• Fee: $100-$300

Azure Exam

• Format: Multiple choice questions
• Length: 60-180 minutes
• Fee: $99-$165

If we take exam cost into consideration, azure certification can cost lower than AWS certification.

7. Prerequisites of the Exams

A basic certification on both AWS and Azure needs to solve problems, you need to have previous experience of hands-on learning before starting any course. Every certification requires some sort of experience according to the level of the certification.

You can always visit our blogs on the  AWS certification guide and Azure certification guide to learn more.

8. AWS vs Azure learning Steps

Before joining any certification course, you should learn the basic concept of Cloud computing and get a clear vision of what you want to acquire based on the technology and job you want to work on.

If you want to do the course from an organization where you get instructor-led live online classes which you can attend at your own pace with using the comprehensive module and with an opportunity of hands-on practical training and with the freedom to ask questions, Do it with us at your own pace.

1. Visit our website
2. Fill the Free demo class form 
3. Meet our AWS Consultants
4. Sign up for the next training available
5. Or you can enroll for the classes directly from the website by clicking on Browse Trending Courses which will lead you to the courses.
6. Select a course of your preference, scroll down to enroll
7. Get hands-on training from our Ninjas
8. Pass your exam and get certified
9. Take your career to the next level

For Additional Training, You can Visit the Official Websites of AWS and Azure

The systematic approach to learning AWS on your own

1. Visit AWS's training website and create your account
2. You will find various free courses for certification
3. Attend your desired course, learn, practice, give mock tests and prepare for exam
4. Once you are ready, visit the official site of AWS
5. Click on Learn > AWS Certification
6. Now you can schedule your exam by clicking on Schedule an Exam 
7. You can also learn from here by clicking on Prepare for Exam

The Systematic Approach to Learning Azure by your Own

1. Visit the Microsoft Learn website and sign in
2. You will find various free courses offered by Microsoft
3. Attend your desired course, learn, practice, give mock tests and prepare for exam
4. You can also select the course based on the role, level, and products by clicking on Customize my Plan
5. Once prepared, click on Certification> Browse Certification in Microsoft Learn website
6. Select the certification exam you have prepared for
7. Enter Schedule exam
8. Give the exam and get certified 

AWS vs Azure: which one stands out for employers?

The employers search for candidates as per the cloud used in the company, required skill sets, and experience. Many would prefer AWS certification and many would prefer Azure certification based on the requirements or many would like to hear from a cross-certified candidate.

As cloud computing is growing faster, many companies are looking for employees who can manage to work with multiple cloud platforms. It definitely gives you more edge to grab a job opportunity.

AWS vs Azure: which one should I go for and how?

When it comes to choosing for the betterment of your own career, The decision-maker and the judge of this matter is only and only you. The steps include

Self-evaluation

You need to do some self-analysis on your current skill sets and finalize the level you are in. Are you in a state where you can consume a lot of learning at once? Or are you someone who needs time to understand each topic steadily? 

If you are a fresher or at the primary stage of your life i.e. you are in the final year of your graduation, you have plenty of time to do cross-certification to increase your chance of getting recruited. you can do your research about your dream company’s cloud usage and the technology you want to work on and can select accordingly.

If you are currently in a company and the company has decided to transform digitally and adopt one of the clouds, you have the opportunity to learn that particular cloud computing and switch your position, you should definitely learn that particular cloud your company is putting energy into. You will get immense practical exposure and the learning would be swift.

If you are someone who has already gained a certain amount of experience and wants to switch  jobs to enhance the skills or to take the succeeding step in your career or for a hike in salary, you can check the above-mentioned statistics and facts and can select either of the certifications based on your next desired company. As AWS is most popular and the job postings are higher than Azure, competitors will be more in the case of AWS, but as you have the experience you can easily learn and compete.

If you have less experience and you want to get a job sooner, you can choose Azure where you might face fewer competitors as compared to AWS and fewer tough interview questions. As AWS is in the market for a long time, the chances of getting asked a tricky question are more as there are more experienced professionals in the field. But obviously, if you are ready to compete you can go for AWS as well.

If you are curious to know about the cloud computing interview questions, we are happy to help.

Develop Current Skill Sets

The prerequisite of the certification demands some hands-on learning to assist in solving problems during certification. You need to learn the basics of cloud computing first, or you need to polish your current skill sets or develop some required skill sets before jumping into any course.

Find the Resources to Learn

You can find a plethora of resources and e-books on JanBask training’s official website or you can also visit the official websites of AWS and Microsoft Azure for additional resources.

Volunteer for Technical Projects

Do not miss any opportunity where you can go through real-life challenges and can get ample practical experience to apply in the future as experience is the key. You can enroll via JanBAsk Training where we offer real-time opportunities to brace you for the next step of your career.

FAQs

Question 1-  Is Azure better than AWS?

Answer-  Azure and AWS both provide similar services and as per the market share and revenue growth Azure is showing better growth. 

Question 2- Which is better for job opportunities AWS or Azure?

Answer- Currently the job postings for AWS are higher than Azure as AWS is in the market for a long time, so, the competition is also huge. Azure is considered by many fortune 500 companies too.

Question 3- Which certification I can opt for as Beginner?

Answer- As a beginner, you can start with any fundamental course Provided by AWS or Azure.

FaceBook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Email