DevOps is an approach that combines software development and IT operations to create a more efficient and collaborative software development lifecycle. As DevOps becomes increasingly important for organizations around the world, the demand for certified DevOps professionals is on the rise. If you’re looking to advance your career in DevOps, obtaining a certification is a great way to showcase your skills and expertise.
The developer and operations are regarded as one in DevOps. Each stage in the DevOps process may be automated using a specific set of technologies. A DevOps certification might help you expand your career, increase your earning potential, demonstrate your understanding of the development cycle, and improve your CV. Earning a certification improves the likelihood of landing a decent job because DevOps positions are frequently listed among the top-paid ones in terms of compensation. Your readiness to operate in a cross-functional team including business analysts, developers, and QA is also enhanced by certification.
In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 DevOps certifications to learn in 2023. Whether you’re just starting out in DevOps or looking to take your skills to the next level, this list will help you identify the certifications that will be most valuable in the coming year. We’ll discuss the benefits of each certification, the topics covered, and the level of expertise required. So let’s dive in and explore the top DevOps certifications to learn in 2023.
The market value of DevOps Certifications
DevOps certifications have become increasingly valuable in recent years as more and more organizations are adopting DevOps practices. The market value of DevOps certifications varies depending on the specific certification and the level of expertise it represents.
Here are some of the most popular DevOps certifications and their market values:
- Certified DevOps Engineer (CDE) – This certification validates an individual’s technical expertise in DevOps practices and tools. According to PayScale, the average salary for a CDE in the US is around $111,000 per year.
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional – This certification validates an individual’s technical expertise in using AWS services for DevOps practices. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an AWS Certified DevOps Engineer in the US is around $146,000 per year.
- Google Cloud DevOps Engineer – Professional – This certification validates an individual’s technical expertise in using Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services for DevOps practices. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a Google Cloud DevOps Engineer in the US is around $146,000 per year.
- Docker Certified Associate – This certification validates an individual’s technical expertise in using Docker containers for DevOps practices. According to PayScale, the average salary for a Docker Certified Associate in the US is around $97,000 per year.
- Red Hat Certified Engineer in DevOps – This certification validates an individual’s technical expertise in using Red Hat technologies for DevOps practices. According to PayScale, the average salary for a Red Hat Certified Engineer in DevOps in the US is around $107,000 per year.
It’s worth noting that the market value of DevOps certifications can vary depending on a number of factors, including location, industry, and level of experience. However, these certifications can be a valuable investment for individuals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers in the DevOps field.
Top DevOps Certification: 2023
1. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional credential highlights a person’s technical proficiency in setting up, running, and maintaining distributed application systems on the AWS platform, which boosts their trust and authority among colleagues, stakeholders, and clients. Companies with this trained personnel may guarantee quick delivery of safe, compliant, highly available, and scalable systems.
We recommend you have the following knowledge before taking this test:
- At least one high-level programming language, infrastructure construction, operating system administration, and building code experience are all required.
- knowledge of current operations and development procedures and methods.
- working knowledge of AWS’s continuous delivery infrastructure and procedures.
- Ability to create and automate governance procedures, security controls, and compliance verification.
- the capacity to create and implement logging, metrics, and monitoring systems on AWS.
Exam Details:
- Cost: 300 USD
- Questions: 75 questions
- Format: Multiple choice or multiple responses
- Language: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
Exam Outline:
- SDLC Automation 22%
- Configuration Management and Infrastructure as Code 19%
- Monitoring and Logging 15%
- Policies and Standards Automation 10%
- Incident and Event Response 18%
- High Availability, Fault Tolerance, and Disaster Recover
2. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) program guarantees that CKAs are competent and possess the necessary abilities to carry out the duties of Kubernetes administrators.
In a continuous effort to advance the Kubernetes ecosystem, The Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) together developed CKA. The test is a performance-based, online, proctored exam that challenges you to work through a number of activities from a command line that is running Kubernetes.
Kubernetes administrators, cloud administrators, and other IT specialists who oversee Kubernetes instances are eligible for this certification.
A qualified K8s administrator will show their proficiency in performing fundamental installations as well as configuring and administering Kubernetes clusters that are fit for production. They will be able to create simple use cases for end users and comprehend important topics including Kubernetes networking, storage, security, maintenance, logging, and monitoring, application lifecycle, troubleshooting, and API object primitives.
Exam Details:
- Time: 2 hours
- Cost: $395
Exam Outline:
- Storage10%
- Troubleshooting30%
- Workloads & Scheduling15%
- Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration25%
- Services & Networking20%
3. Docker Certified Associate (DCA)
The Docker Certified Associate (DCA) exam, which uses real-world questions created by skilled Docker practitioners, is intended to confirm that skill set. The DCA serves as a fundamental standard for practical Docker abilities across the container industry since it is the first test in a thorough multi-tiered professional certification program.
As a result of passing this test, one may demonstrate the following knowledge and abilities as a certified Docker Associate:
- Use pre-existing images kept in a centralized registry to run containerized apps.
- Distribute pictures around the cluster.
- Assessing and resolving issue reports from stakeholders
- Standup Enterprise clusters with a single worker node, a single DTR replica, and a single UCP manager.
- Convert conventional apps to containers.
- Set up and maintain the Docker engine.
- Carry out general configuration and maintenance.
Candidates should have used Docker for at least six months to a year, including exposure to the Docker Enterprise Edition, before applying for this certification. The following should also be part of the knowledge, abilities, and experience needed at this level:
- Container security
- Experience with at least one cloud provider
- Configuration management tools
- Linux and/or Windows Server
Exam Details:
- Questions: 13 multiple choice and 42 discrete option multiple choice (DOMC) questions
- Time: 90 minutes
- Language: English
- Cost: USD $195 or Euro €200 purchased online
Exam Outline:
- Orchestration 25%
- Image Creation, Management, and Registry 20%
- Installation and Configuration 15%
- Networking 15%
- Security 15%
- Storage and Volumes 10%
4. Exam AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions
Developers or infrastructure administrators who possess subject-matter knowledge in utilizing people, processes, and products to allow continuous delivery of value in enterprises are eligible to take this exam.
DevOps engineers need to be skilled in at least one of these domains with expertise in managing and developing on Azure. They must be knowledgeable about GitHub and Azure DevOps.
Exam Details:
- Cost: $165 USD*
- Passing Score: 700
- Questions: 40-60
- Language:
- English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Russian, Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Indonesian (Indonesia)
Exam Outline:
- Configure processes and communications (10-15%)
- Design and implement source control (15-20%)
- Design and implement build and release pipelines (40-45%)
- Develop a security and compliance plan (10-15%)
- Implement an instrumentation strategy (10-15%)
5. Puppet Certified Professional Exam
Puppet is a process automation tool used by DevOps workers to speed up the delivery of infrastructure upgrades and improve software quality. Server setup may be automated and managed with the aid of the system management tool puppet software. Although there are no specific requirements for being a puppet-certified professional, you should make sure that you:
- Recognize how to administrate system infrastructure using IT automation software called Puppet and how to create fundamental modules that include data separation and external data sources.
- Identify the relevant Puppet documents, approved techniques outlined in the Puppet Language Style Guide, and the upkeep of pertinent OS components.
Exam Details:
- Format: Computer-based exam composed of 60 multiple-choice questions.
- Time: 90 minutes
- Cost: $200 USD
- Language: English only
Exam Outline:
- Classification
- Troubleshooting
- Module Authoring
- Concepts
- Language
- Orchestration and Tasks
- Environments
- Administration
6. Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)
Linux administration is a beneficial skill for a DevOps engineer. Candidates wanting to certify their knowledge of Linux system administration should take the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam. Applicants that are just starting their careers in Linux system administration or open source should apply to LFCS. Candidates must have finished system administration training for Linux.
The Linux Foundation created LFCS to assist in meeting the rising need for Linux administration skills. Performance-based questions in the test replicate real-world situations and duties experienced by sysadmins on the job. Candidates may choose CentOS 7 or Ubuntu 18.
The design, installation, configuration, and management of a system installation may be done expertly by certified Linux systems administrators. They will comprehend crucial ideas like networking, storage, security, upkeep, logging and monitoring, application lifecycle, troubleshooting, API object primitives, and the capacity to create straightforward use cases for end users.
Exam Details:
- Cost: $395
- Time: 2 hours
- Passing Marks: 66%
- Language: English
Exam Outline:
- Essential Commands 25%
- Operation of Running Systems 20%
- User and Group Management 10%
- Networking 12%
- Service Configuration20%
- Storage Management 13%
7. Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
The Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) exam certifies that candidates can design, build and deploy cloud-native applications for Kubernetes.
This certification is intended for Kubernetes engineers, cloud engineers, and other IT specialists in charge of developing, installing, and configuring Kubernetes-based cloud-native applications.
Through standardized training and certification, The Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) have created CKAD to aid in the expansion of the Kubernetes ecosystem. A series of performance-based activities (problems) that must be resolved on a command line make up this online, proctored exam.
Cloud-native apps can be designed, built, and deployed for Kubernetes by a Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD). A CKAD can create/migrate, set up, expose, and observe scalable applications by defining application resources and utilizing Kubernetes core primitives. Microservice architecture and container runtimes are considered working knowledge for the exam.
The chosen applicant will be at ease:
- dealing with container images that are (OCI-compliant).
- implementing cloud-native application architectures and principles.
- handling and confirming Kubernetes resource descriptions.
Exam Details:
- Cost: $395
- Time: 2 hours
Exam Outline:
- 20% Application Design and Build
- 20% Application Deployment
- 15% Application Observability and Maintenance
- 25% Application Environment, Configuration, and Security
- 20% Services and Networking
8. Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
For effective development operations that can balance service dependability and delivery speed, a professional cloud DevOps engineer is in charge. They are adept at managing problems, deploying and monitoring services, and creating software delivery pipelines utilizing Google Cloud.
Your ability for the Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer test is evaluated in:
- Applying engineering concepts for site dependability to a service.
- Boosting the efficiency of the service.
- Putting service monitoring measures into action.
- Creating and installing CI/CD pipelines.
- Handling service-related problems.
Experience: It is advised to have 3+ years of professional experience, including at least 1 year of solution management on Google Cloud.
Exam Details:
- Length: Two hours
- Registration fee: $200 (plus tax where applicable)
- Languages: English
- Exam format: 50-60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions
Exam Outline:
- Applying site reliability engineering principles to a service
- Building and implementing CI/CD pipelines for a service
- Implementing service monitoring strategies
- Optimizing service performance
- Managing service incidents
9. Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
The Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) curriculum ensures that a CKS has the expertise on a wide variety of best practices for protecting Kubernetes platforms and container-based applications throughout development, deployment, and runtime.
A CKA-certified expert in Kubernetes who has proven proficiency in a wide range of best practices for protecting Kubernetes platforms and container-based applications throughout development, deployment, and runtime is known as a Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS).
The CKS certification exam measures applicants’ proficiency with Kubernetes and cloud security in a simulated, real-world setting. Before taking the CKS test, candidates must have taken and completed the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification.
Having a CKS proves a candidate is qualified to carry out these duties in a professional context and has the necessary skills to secure container-based applications and Kubernetes systems during construction, deployment, and runtime.
Exam Details:
- Time: 2 hours
- Cost: $395
Exam Outline:
- Cluster Setup10%
- Cluster Hardening15%
- System Hardening15%
- Minimize Microservice Vulnerabilities20%
- Supply Chain Security20%
- Monitoring, Logging, and Runtime Security20%
10. HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
The Terraform Associate certification is intended for Cloud Engineers with a focus on operations, information technology, or development who are familiar with the fundamental ideas and abilities related to open-source HashiCorp Terraform. Although accomplishing the test objectives in a personal demo environment may be acceptable, candidates will be best prepared for this exam if they have previous professional experience using Terraform in production.
Exam Details:
- Question type: Multiple choice
- Duration: 1 hour
- Price: $70.50 USD plus locally applicable taxes and fees
- Language: English
- Expiration 2 years
Exam Outline:
- Understand infrastructure as code (IaC) concepts
- Understand Terraform basics
- Use Terraform outside of the core workflow
- Interact with Terraform modules
- Use the core Terraform workflow
- Implement and maintain state
- Read, generate, and modify the configuration
- Understand Terraform Cloud capabilities
Final Tips
Your job objectives, educational background, and personal interests will all play a role in the DevOps certification you choose. Numerous organizations, including Red Hat, HashiCorp, the DevOps Institute, MIT, Linux, Jenkins, and others provide DevOps certificates.
DevOps heavily emphasizes automation, and many of these certifications focus on understanding cloud principles, configuration management, and networking. What systems you are familiar with and where you prefer to be in the development cycle will determine which certification you should investigate.
95% of DevOps workers in the US made more than $75,000 in pay in 2020, a 93 percent increase from the previous year. The need for DevOps knowledge and abilities has grown over the past several years, so earning certification in a variety of DevOps designs is a great approach to strengthen your résumé.
By earning your DevOps certification, you show that you have a thorough understanding of the procedures involved in writing code, maintaining versions, testing, integrating changes, and deploying applications. Your certification could open doors for you to stand out and fill more senior leadership positions within your organization.
