In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, cloud computing has become the cornerstone of modern IT infrastructure. As organizations worldwide transition to the cloud, the demand for skilled professionals who can harness the power of cloud platforms is rising exponentially. In this dynamic ecosystem, Microsoft Azure stands out as a leading cloud computing platform, empowering businesses to innovate, scale, and secure their operations efficiently. One pivotal milestone in the journey to becoming an Azure expert is passing the AZ-104 certification, also known as the Microsoft Azure Administrator certification.
Passing the AZ-104 exam can open up many career opportunities and increase your salary. As an Azure Administrator, you can work in various industries and organizations, including IT consulting firms, software development companies, and enterprise-level corporations. Let’s discover Salary and career opportunities after passing the AZ-104!
What is the Microsoft AZ-104 Exam?
The Microsoft Azure AZ-104 exam is designed for individuals with extensive understanding of setting up, managing, and monitoring a business’s Microsoft Azure infrastructure, which includes virtual networks, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance.
The person with these skills typically participates in a larger team setting up a company’s cloud infrastructure. They work with other jobs to supply Azure networking, security, database, application development, and DevOps solutions.
Knowledge required for the exam:
- A larger team that includes an Azure administrator usually implements the cloud infrastructure for an enterprise. You must have been managing Azure for at least six months and be knowledgeable with the important platform services, workloads, security, and governance.
- PowerShell, the Azure CLI, the Azure interface, and templates for the Azure Resource Manager are additional skills required for this position.
Let’s now look at the salary and career opportunities.
Average Salary and Growth Prospects
Passing the AZ-104 exam can increase salary and growth prospects as an Azure Administrator. The Azure platform is constantly evolving, and as a certified Azure Administrator, you will be equipped to handle new challenges and opportunities as they arise.
According to Payscale, the average salary for an Azure Administrator is around $79,000 per year, but this can vary depending on factors such as experience level, location, and organization. Those with more experience and certifications may earn significantly more.
In addition to salary, obtaining the AZ-104 certification can lead to career advancement opportunities. With this certification, you can demonstrate your skills and knowledge of Azure, making you a more valuable employee to your current or future employer. You may be able to take on more senior roles such as Azure Solution Architect, Cloud Security Engineer, or Cloud Infrastructure Engineer.
The growth prospects for Azure Administrators are also promising. With more and more organizations adopting cloud computing, the demand for skilled Azure professionals is expected to grow. This means that Azure Administrators can expect to have strong job security and potentially more job opportunities in the future. We will now move on to the different career opportunities.
Career Opportunities
Passing the AZ-104 certification exam opens up a world of career opportunities for professionals looking to advance their career in the cloud computing industry. Here are some of the career opportunities available for professionals who have passed the AZ-104 certification:
1. Azure Administrator:
- Average Salary: The salary for an Azure Administrator can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific organization. On average, it ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 per year.
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Azure Administrators are responsible for managing Azure resources, including virtual machines, storage, networks, and databases.
- They ensure the security and compliance of Azure environments, implementing access controls and monitoring for potential threats.
- Administrators also handle the deployment and scaling of applications and services in Azure.
- Regularly monitoring and optimizing resource usage to control costs is a key part of the role.
2. Cloud Engineer:
- Average Salary: Cloud Engineers, who often work with Azure among other cloud platforms, can earn an average salary ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 per year.
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Cloud Engineers design, implement, and manage cloud solutions, ensuring they meet business requirements and adhere to best practices.
- They work on infrastructure as code (IaC) to automate the provisioning and management of resources.
- Cloud Engineers collaborate with development teams to create scalable and resilient applications.
- They monitor and optimize cloud environments for performance and cost-efficiency.
3. Systems Administrator (Azure-focused):
- Average Salary: Systems Administrators specializing in Azure can earn an average salary between $65,000 and $110,000 annually.
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Azure-focused Systems Administrators handle the day-to-day operation and maintenance of Azure-based infrastructure.
- They troubleshoot issues, apply updates and patches, and ensure the reliability of Azure resources.
- Systems Administrators may work on user management, access controls, and monitoring to maintain the security of Azure environments.
- Collaborating with other IT teams to integrate Azure services into the organization’s overall IT infrastructure is common.
4. DevOps Engineer:
- Average Salary: DevOps Engineers with Azure expertise can expect salaries ranging from $90,000 to $160,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- DevOps Engineers focus on automating and streamlining the software development and deployment processes.
- They use Azure DevOps services to set up continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
- Ensuring the scalability, performance, and reliability of applications on Azure is a key responsibility.
- Collaborating closely with development and operations teams to accelerate software delivery and improve efficiency.
5. Cloud Architect:
- Average Salary: Cloud Architects, who design complex cloud solutions using Azure, can command an average salary ranging from $120,000 to $200,000 per year.
- Roles and Responsibilities:
- Cloud Architects are responsible for designing and implementing cloud architectures that align with business goals and requirements.
- They provide guidance on selecting Azure services, optimizing costs, and ensuring security and compliance.
- Cloud Architects work closely with stakeholders to develop cloud migration strategies and oversee the execution of these strategies.
- They are the top-level decision-makers for cloud technology within an organization.
Keep in mind that salary figures can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific demands of the role.
Preparing for the AZ-104 exam
Preparing for the AZ-104 certification exam requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in managing and monitoring Azure resources. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for the AZ-104 exam:
- Understand the Exam Format: The AZ-104 exam is a multiple-choice exam that consists of 40-60 questions. The exam duration is 150 minutes, and the passing score is 700 out of 1000. Familiarize yourself with the exam format and the topics that will be covered.
- Review the Exam Objectives: Review the exam objectives to understand the topics that will be covered in the exam. Microsoft provides a detailed exam outline that includes the skills and knowledge required to pass the exam.
- Study Azure Fundamentals: Familiarize yourself with Azure fundamentals, including cloud computing concepts, Azure services, and pricing models. You can start with Microsoft’s Azure Fundamentals certification to gain a basic understanding of Azure.
- Practice with Azure Services: Set up an Azure account and practice managing and monitoring Azure resources. Practice creating and managing virtual machines, storage accounts, and network resources.
- Use Study Materials: There are several study materials available for the AZ-104 exam, including books, online courses, practice exams, and study guides. Use these resources to supplement your learning and better understand the exam topics.
- Join Online Communities: Join online communities and forums to connect with other professionals studying for the AZ-104 exam. You can exchange ideas, ask questions, and get advice from experienced professionals.
- Take Practice Exams: Take practice exams to test your knowledge and identify areas to improve. Microsoft provides official practice exams for the AZ-104 exam that can help you prepare for the actual exam.
Hence, preparing for the AZ-104 certification exam requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in managing and monitoring Azure resources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, passing the AZ-104 certification exam opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the cloud computing industry. The demand for Azure professionals is high, and the AZ-104 certification is a valuable asset that can help you stand out in a competitive job market. Some of the career opportunities available for professionals who have passed the AZ-104 exam include Azure Administrator, Cloud Engineer, Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Consultant, and Cloud Security Engineer.
In addition to the career opportunities, passing the AZ-104 exam can also increase salary. According to payscale.com, the average salary for an Azure Administrator is around $75,000 per year, while the average salary for a Cloud Solutions Architect is around $130,000. Overall, passing the AZ-104 certification exam is a great way to advance your career in the cloud computing industry and increase your earning potential.
