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From Beginner to Expert: The Ultimate AWS Cloud Certification Roadmap

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•11 min read
From Beginner to Expert: The Ultimate AWS Cloud Certification Roadmap
P
Philip Case

I am an aviator & tech enthusiast with a diverse skill set shaped by my experiences in both the military, Finance and Medical/Pharma industries. With a Bachelor's degree in Finance and Information Systems from the University of Washington in Seattle and a Master's degree in Finance and Statistics from Seattle University, I have a solid educational foundation.

In 2022 I completed a rigorous MIT Full-Stack Developer Bootcamp (MERN, MEAN Stacks) Bootcamp, a 16-week full-time program that provided me with comprehensive training in Javascript| React| Typescript | Node.js | Express | MongoDB| Angular| Stripe| coding & software development. In 2022, I proudly earned a certificate from the program, a testament to my dedication and commitment to mastering cutting-edge technologies. You can find my certificate from the MIT Coding Bootcamp at this link:

https://certificates.emeritus.org/2621caae-c01a-4c24-a410-23ec071f8054#gs.19732f

Alongside my academic achievements, I served in the Marine Corps, where I specialized in Inter-Modal Logistics, Weights, and Balances as a Combat Engineer. This invaluable experience instilled in me a sense of discipline, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills that I carry with me in every endeavor.

In 2016, I earned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification from the EC Council, a testament to my commitment to ethical practices and cybersecurity. This certification further enhances my ability to address security concerns and protect systems from vulnerabilities.

Comprehensive Roadmap to AWS Cloud Certifications

AWS (Amazon Web Services) has become a prominent player in the cloud computing industry, and acquiring AWS certifications can significantly enhance your career prospects in the field. This blog article presents a recommended sequence for obtaining AWS certifications, along with key information about each certification, including dependencies, classes, exams, costs, pass/fail rates, job demand, average salaries, and a brief overview of what each certification covers.

Recommended Sequence: To build a solid foundation and progress smoothly through your AWS certification journey, we recommend the following sequence:

  1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Foundational Certification)

  2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (Associate-level Certification)

  3. AWS Certified Developer - Associate (Associate-level Certification)

  4. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (Associate-level Certification)

  5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (Professional-level Certification)

  6. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional (Professional-level Certification)

  7. AWS Certified Security - Specialty (Specialty Certification)

  8. AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty (Specialty Certification)

  9. AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty (Specialty Certification)

  10. AWS Certified Database - Specialty (Specialty Certification)

#1 AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Description:

This entry-level certification provides a broad overview of AWS services, architecture, security, and best practices. It establishes a solid foundation for pursuing more specialized AWS certifications.

Dependencies:

None

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Best Online Class: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner - Full Course by freeCodeCamp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hLmDS179YE

Best In-Person Classes: AWS Training and Certification https://www.aws.training/

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam (CLF-C01 or CLF-C02) - available at Pearson VUE test centers or online proctored exam

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$100 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 85%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as this certification is suitable for individuals with non-technical backgrounds or those looking to gain a foundational understanding of AWS.

Average Salary:

$98,000 USD per year

#2 AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

Description:

This certification validates your ability to design and deploy AWS-based applications and systems. It covers architectural best practices, network technologies, storage solutions, and AWS service selection.

Dependencies:

None

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam (SAA-C02) - available at Pearson VUE test centers or online proctored exam

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$150 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 75%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as organizations require skilled professionals to design and deploy scalable, reliable, and cost-effective applications on AWS.

Average Salary:

$130,000 USD per year

#3 AWS Certified Developer - Associate

Description:

This certification focuses on developing and maintaining AWS applications, covering topics such as AWS SDKs, APIs, application deployment, security, and troubleshooting.

Dependencies:

None, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate is recommended.

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Developer - Associate exam (DVA-C01) - available at Pearson VUE test centers or online proctored exam

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$150 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 70%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as there is a growing need for developers proficient in building, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications on AWS.

Average Salary:

$125,000 USD per year

# 4 AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate

Description:

This certification validates your technical expertise in deploying, managing, and operating AWS systems. It covers topics such as deployment and management of AWS services, data migration, security, and troubleshooting.

Dependencies:

None, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate is recommended.

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate exam (SOA-C02) - available at Pearson VUE test centers or online proctored exam

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$150 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

65%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as businesses require skilled administrators to manage, deploy, and operate applications on AWS.

Average Salary:

$115,000 USD per year

#5 AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional

Description:

This professional-level certification focuses on advanced architectural concepts, designing multi-tier applications, migration strategies, and large-scale enterprise deployments.

Dependencies:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional exam (SAP-C01) - available at Pearson VUE test centers

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$300 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 65% Expected

Job Demand:

High, as organizations require experienced professionals who can design and deploy complex applications on AWS with high availability, scalability, and fault tolerance.

Average Salary:

$150,000 USD per year

#6 AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional

Description:

This certification validates your skills in provisioning, operating, and managing distributed application systems on AWS. It focuses on automation, continuous delivery, monitoring, and security.

Dependencies:

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate or AWS Certified Developer - Associate

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional exam (DOP-C01) - available at Pearson VUE test centers

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$300 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 65%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as there is a growing demand for professionals who can automate and manage the development and deployment of applications on AWS.

Average Salary:

$140,000 USD per year

#7 AWS Certified Security - Specialty

Description:

This specialty certification validates your expertise in securing the AWS platform and implementing security controls across various services. It covers topics such as identity and access management, data protection, incident response, and monitoring.

Dependencies:

None, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Associate-level certifications are recommended.

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Security - Specialty exam (SCS-C01) - available at Pearson VUE test centers

Exam Cost:

$300 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 70%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as organizations prioritize securing their AWS infrastructure and require specialists in cloud security.

Average Salary:

$145,000 USD per year

#8 AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty

Description:

This specialty certification validates your ability to design and implement complex networking architectures on AWS. It covers topics such as hybrid IT architectures, VPNs, routing, and network optimization.

Dependencies:

None, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Associate-level certifications are recommended.

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam (ANS-C00) - available at Pearson VUE test centers

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$300 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 65%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as organizations require professionals who can design and implement advanced networking architectures on AWS.

Average Salary:

$155,000 USD per year

#9 AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty

Description:

This specialty certification validates your expertise in designing, implementing, and deploying machine learning solutions on AWS. It covers topics such as data preparation, model training and evaluation, deployment strategies, and machine learning algorithms.

Dependencies:

None, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Associate-level certifications are recommended.

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty exam (MLS-C01) - available at Pearson VUE test centers

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$300 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 65%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as organizations increasingly leverage machine learning technologies and require specialists in building and deploying ML models on AWS.

Average Salary:

$160,000 USD per year

#10 AWS Certified Database - Specialty

Description:

This specialty certification focuses on database technologies on AWS, including design, migration, deployment, and optimization. It covers a range of database services, such as Amazon RDS, Amazon Aurora, Amazon DynamoDB, and Amazon Redshift.

Dependencies:

None, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Associate-level certifications are recommended.

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Database - Specialty exam (DBS-C01) - available at Pearson VUE test centers

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$300 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 65%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as organizations require skilled professionals who can design and manage scalable and high-performance database solutions on AWS.

Average Salary:

$155,000 USD per year

AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty

Description:

This specialty certification validates your expertise in designing and implementing data analytics solutions on AWS. It covers topics such as data collection, storage, processing, and visualization using AWS services like Amazon Redshift, Amazon Athena, Amazon Kinesis, and more.

Dependencies:

None, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Associate-level certifications are recommended.

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty exam (DAS-C01) - available at Pearson VUE test centers

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$300 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 65% Expected

Job Demand:

High, as organizations increasingly rely on data analytics to derive valuable insights and make data-driven decisions.

Average Salary:

$150,000 USD per year

AWS Certified SAP on AWS - Specialty

Description:

This specialty certification focuses on the deployment and operation of SAP applications on AWS. It covers topics such as high availability, security, performance optimization, and migration strategies for SAP workloads.

Dependencies:

None, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Associate-level certifications are recommended.

Classes Required:

Recommended but not mandatory

Exam Required:

AWS Certified SAP on AWS - Specialty exam (PAS-C01) - available at Pearson VUE test centers

Exam Venue/Proctor: Pearson VUE https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws

Exam Cost:

$300 USD

Pass/Fail Rate:

Approximately 65%

Expected Job Demand:

High, as many enterprises run SAP applications and require professionals who can architect, deploy, and manage SAP systems on AWS.

Average Salary:

$160,000 USD per year

Wrap-Up:

Obtaining AWS certifications can significantly enhance your career prospects in the cloud computing industry. The recommended sequence provided in this roadmap ensures a logical progression from foundational knowledge to specialized expertise. While the costs and pass rates may vary, the expected job demand for individuals with AWS certifications remains high across various roles and industries. Additionally, the average salaries associated with these certifications reflect the value organizations place on AWS expertise.

Remember, certifications serve as a validation of your skills and knowledge in specific areas of AWS, providing you with a competitive edge in the job market and opening doors to exciting career opportunities. Embark on this certification journey, expand your AWS skill set, and position yourself as a highly sought-after cloud professional.

The pass/fail rate mentioned represents the pass rate for the respective AWS certification exams. For example, if the pass/fail rate is stated as approximately 70%, it means that around 70% of test-takers pass the exam, while the remaining 30% do not pass.

Sources:

https://medium.com/@av8innovations/aws-cloud-certification-resources-eb2f8faebc3a

  1. Expected Job Demand for this certification:

    • The official AWS Certification website provides insights into the job demand for each certification. You can find the job demand information under the "Jobs" section on the individual certification pages. (Source: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/)

    • LinkedIn's job portal provides a valuable resource for exploring job listings specific to AWS certifications. You can search for job postings by certification name and assess the demand for each certification in the industry. (Source: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/)

  2. Average/Expected Salary Range - High, Low, Median:

    • The annual IT Skills and Salary Report by Global Knowledge is a comprehensive resource that provides average salary ranges for various certifications, including AWS certifications. The report includes data on high, low, and median salaries for professionals holding these certifications. (Source: Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report)

    • Salary comparison websites like PayScale (www.payscale.com) and Glassdoor (www.glassdoor.com) provide user-reported salary ranges and compensation insights for different job titles and AWS certifications. You can search for specific certification titles and job roles to find salary information.

  3. URL for the top two classes and schools/books/online:

    • AWS Training and Certification offers official training courses for each certification. You can find the top-rated courses and learning paths for each certification on the AWS Training and Certification website. (Source: https://www.aws.training/)

    • A Cloud Guru (www.acloudguru.com) is a popular online platform that offers comprehensive AWS training courses. They provide in-depth content for various certifications, including hands-on labs and practice exams.

  4. Top 3 YouTube Tutorials for each Certification:

Please note that job demand, salary ranges, and top resources may vary over time, so it's always a good idea to cross-reference information from multiple sources and check for the most up-to-date data.

About The Author:

Philip Case is a Certified Ethical Hacker CEH and Full-Stack Software Developer.

https://dev.to/philipcase

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipcase/

https://stackoverflow.com/users/19202562/philip-case

https://github.com/Philip-Case

https://medium.com/@philipbcase

#aws#aws-lambda#cloud-computing#aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate

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