As cloud computing continues to grow in the IT landscape, choosing the right AWS certification has become increasingly important for professionals looking to advance their careers.
With a wide array of certifications available, each tailored to different roles and expertise levels, it can be challenging to determine which one is best suited for your career goals.
This article will explore the best AWS certifications in 2025, highlighting their unique benefits and helping you identify the most valuable AWS certifications. We have also provided some AWS certification courses, which you can start immediately.
AWS Certifications are the credentials offered by Amazon Web Services that validate an individual's expertise in cloud architecture, engineering, and administration using AWS services.
AWS certifications are very important for to following reasons:
● 76% of employers consider AWS certifications important in hiring, and 60% prefer certified candidates.
● The demand for cloud experts is expected to grow by 30% each year until 2025, highlighting the importance of skilled and certified professionals.
● AWS-certified professionals can earn up to 25% more than their non-certified peers, with average salaries ranging from $110,000 to $220,000 depending on certification level.
● AWS certifications lead to faster promotions and new roles, as companies value the expertise that certified individuals bring.
● Obtaining AWS certifications opens doors to new opportunities in the IT field, making candidates more attractive to employers. AWS-certified individuals are associated with leadership roles in cloud projects, making them invaluable assets in any tech team.
You can also enroll in Google Cloud Courses or Azure Courses to learn about their cloud computing platform. Contact learner advisors to know more!
There are two types of AWS Certifications: Role Based and Speciality Based.
There are 3 categories of role-based AWS certifications:
1. Foundation level:
It validates basic skills, knowledge, and understanding of AWS cloud. It also acts as a prerequisite for specialty certifications or associate level.
2. Associate level:
It is a fully technical AWS role-based certification. There is no prerequisite for this certification.
3. Professional level:
It is the highest level of role-based AWS certification. Associate-level certifications act as a prerequisite for this level.
There are three specialty-based AWS certifications:
1. AWS Certified Security - Speciality
The AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification validates your ability to secure data in the AWS Cloud, demonstrating expertise in specialized data classifications, data encryption methods, and secure internet protocols. It is the highest-paying AWS certification, with certified professionals earning an average salary of $138,053 globally.
2. AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty
The AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty certification recognizes proficiency in designing and maintaining big data solutions on the AWS platform. Certified professionals are skilled in data engineering, data analysis, and data visualization using AWS services like Amazon EMR, Amazon Athena, and Amazon QuickSight.
3. AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty
The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification is designed for network architects and engineers with extensive experience in developing complex networking solutions.
Certified professionals demonstrate expertise in designing hybrid and cloud-based AWS networking architectures, implementing and managing AWS networking services, and ensuring network security and compliance.
This certification is the second highest-paying AWS certification, with an average salary of $137,698 worldwide
Here are the 5 best AWS certifications in 2025 which can get you the highest salaries.
Certification | Average Salary |
---|---|
AWS Certified Security – Specialty | $140,000 |
AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty | $138,000 |
AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty | $136,000 |
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional | $130,000 |
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional | $120,000 |
Here is the list of the 10 best AWS certifications in 2025
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
2. AWS Certified Developer – Associate
3. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
4. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
5. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
6. AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
7. AWS Certified Security – Specialty
8. AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
9. AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
10. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Let's look at these AWS certifications in detail now:
● Exam Code: SAA-C02
● Fees: $150
● Skills: Designing distributed systems, selecting appropriate AWS services, and deploying secure applications.
● Average Salary: $130,000 in the US; ₹1,200,000 in India.
● Exam Code: DVA-C01
● Fees: $150
● Skills: Developing and maintaining applications on AWS, understanding core AWS services, and utilizing SDKs and APIs.
● Average Salary: $120,000 in the US; ₹1,100,000 in India.
● Exam Code: SOA-C02
● Fees: $150
● Skills: Managing and operating applications on AWS, monitoring performance, and implementing security controls.
● Average Salary: $115,000 in the US; ₹1,000,000 in India.
● Exam Code: SAP-C01
● Fees: $300
● Skills: Advanced knowledge of AWS services, complex solution design, and migration strategies.
● Average Salary: $150,000 in the US; ₹1,500,000 in India.
● Exam Code: DOP-C01
● Fees: $300
● Skills: Automation of testing and deployment processes, managing CI/CD pipelines, and implementing monitoring solutions.
● Average Salary: $140,000 in the US; ₹1,400,000 in India.
According to the Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report 2024, AWS certifications remain the most sought-after technical credentials, offering high demand and lucrative salary opportunities. With enterprises increasingly migrating to the cloud, AWS certifications are essential for professionals seeking to secure rewarding careers in IT.
As organizations shift their applications to cloud platforms, the need for certified AWS professionals continues to grow. This presents a significant opportunity for individuals to bridge the gap between industry demand and available talent. Becoming an AWS-certified professional can ensure a prosperous future in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Read Why AWS to understand the significance of AWS as a career option.
Bhupesh sharma is a network automation and cloud architect and working on various cloud platforms including AWS, GCP, Azure and Oracle etc. He has been associated with one of the largest investment banking company in the world. He has done many complex migrations from traditional data center infrastructures to cloud platforms and also migrated ...
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