Which AWS certification is best for DevOps engineers?

In the ever-evolving world of technology, DevOps engineers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between development and operations. To stay ahead of the curve and validate their expertise, many DevOps professionals turn to AWS certifications. However with a variety of options available, deciding which AWS certification is the best fit can be a challenge. This blog post will guide you through the different levels and types of AWS certifications, analyze their relevance to DevOps engineers, and help you choose the path that best accelerates your career.

Cloud Foundational Knowledge

Before exploring the specific DevOps certifications, let’s address the foundational AWS Cloud Practitioner certification. This certification is ideal for individuals new to AWS, regardless of their specific IT background. It validates a high-level understanding of the AWS cloud platform, its core services, security concepts, pricing models, and billing practices.

While not specifically designed for DevOps engineers, the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification offers valuable foundational knowledge that benefits anyone working with AWS. Earning this certification demonstrates your cloud literacy and ability to communicate effectively with technical teams regarding cloud solutions. This can be particularly advantageous for:

• IT professionals transitioning into a DevOps role: Gaining a foundational understanding of AWS through this certification can ease the transition into a DevOps environment heavily reliant on the AWS cloud.
• DevOps engineers new to AWS: This certification provides a strong starting point for those with existing DevOps experience who are now working with AWS for the first time.
• Non-technical roles collaborating with DevOps teams: For project managers, product managers, or sales professionals working with DevOps teams, this certification can bridge the communication gap and foster a better understanding of cloud-based solutions.

Focusing on DevOps Roles: Top Certifications

Let’s understand the AWS certifications most relevant to DevOps engineers. We’ll categorize them by level and explain how they align with the DevOps skillset, potentially impacting your career and salary.

Associate Level Certifications:

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate:

This certification validates your ability to design and deploy scalable, fault-tolerant, and cost-effective cloud architectures on AWS. While not exclusive to DevOps, it equips you with a strong understanding of core AWS services, infrastructure design principles, and security best practices. Earning this certification demonstrates a well-rounded foundation for cloud solutions, which is highly sought-after by employers.

Average salary for Solutions Architects with AWS certification: $135,000 USD

Target Audience:

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is an excellent entry point on the AWS Certification path for individuals with various backgrounds, including:

• Experience with AWS technology
• Extensive on-premises IT experience and the ability to translate this knowledge to the cloud
• Experience with other cloud service providers

2. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate:

This certification focuses on managing and operating deployments on AWS. You’ll showcase your ability to provision and configure resources, automate infrastructure deployments, and implement operational best practices for high availability and disaster recovery.

Average salary for SysOps Administrators with AWS certification: $120,000 USD

Target Audience and Skills:

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification is ideal for individuals who:

• Have experience in a systems administrator role
• Are familiar with AWS technology
• Possess strong on-premises IT experience and can map this knowledge to the cloud
• Have worked with other cloud services

The ideal candidate should have at least one year of experience with AWS deployment, management, networking, and security. General IT experience should include:

• 1-2 years as a system administrator in an operations role
• Proficiency in monitoring, logging, and troubleshooting
• Understanding of networking concepts such as DNS, TCP/IP, and firewalls
• Ability to meet architectural requirements for high availability, performance, and capacity

Further, candidates should have:

• A minimum of one year of hands-on experience with AWS technology
• Experience in deploying, managing, and operating workloads on AWS
• An understanding of the AWS Well-Architected Framework
• Practical experience with the AWS Management Console and AWS CLI
• Knowledge of AWS networking and security services
• Experience in implementing security controls and compliance requirements

While these Associate certifications aren’t exclusively for DevOps, they provide a solid foundation in AWS that complements the DevOps skillset. They can be valuable stepping stones for further specialization or a good starting point for those transitioning into a DevOps role.

Professional Level Certification:

1. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional:

This is the gold standard for DevOps engineers on AWS. It validates your expertise in the entire DevOps lifecycle, including continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), infrastructure automation, configuration management, security, and monitoring. This certification dives deep into the tools and technologies used by DevOps engineers on AWS, such as CodePipeline, CodeDeploy, CloudFormation, and Security Hub. Earning this certification demonstrates your ability to design, implement, and manage automated workflows for efficient application delivery and infrastructure management.

The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification validates an individual’s technical expertise in provisioning, operating, and managing distributed application systems on the AWS platform. This certification enhances their credibility and confidence among peers, stakeholders, and customers. Organizations with these certified professionals benefit from the rapid delivery of secure, compliant, highly available, and scalable systems.

Average salary for DevOps Engineers with AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification: $150,000 USD

Target Audience and Skills:

The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional is designed for individuals with two or more years of experience in provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments. Before taking this exam, candidates should have:

• Experience in developing code in at least one high-level programming language, building highly automated infrastructures, and administering operating systems
• Understanding of modern development and operations processes and methodologies
• Ability to implement and manage continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS
• Capability to implement and automate security controls, governance processes, and compliance validation
• Proficiency in defining and deploying monitoring, metrics, and logging systems on AWS
• At least two years of experience in provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments
• Familiarity with the software development lifecycle, programming, and/or scripting
• Experience in building highly automated infrastructures and administering operating systems
• Knowledge of modern development and operations processes and methodologies
• Expertise in securing AWS infrastructure

Specialty Certifications:

While not core requirements, some AWS Specialty certifications can further enhance your DevOps skillset depending on your area of specialization. For instance, the AWS Certified Security – Specialty validates your ability to implement security best practices within the AWS cloud, while the AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty demonstrates expertise in designing and deploying complex network architectures on AWS. These Specialty certifications can significantly boost your value proposition for specific DevOps roles within Security or Networking domains.

Choosing the Right Certification

With a variety of AWS certifications available, selecting the one that best aligns with your career goals can feel overwhelming. Here’s a breakdown to help you navigate the options:

Matching Your Experience and Goals:

The ideal certification depends on your current experience level and desired career path. Here’s a table summarizing the key points:

Things to remember:

• If you’re new to AWS or transitioning into a DevOps role, the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification provides a solid foundation.
• For experienced IT professionals or those new to DevOps on AWS, the Associate-level certifications (Solutions Architect or SysOps Administrator) offer a comprehensive understanding of the platform.
• The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification validates your expertise in the entire DevOps lifecycle on AWS and is the most relevant option for experienced DevOps professionals seeking career advancement.
• Specialty certifications can further enhance your skillset for specific DevOps specializations like Security or Networking.

Working on Practical Skills:

While AWS certifications hold significant weight in the IT industry, showcasing your practical skills and a well-rounded DevOps knowledge base is crucial for landing your dream job. Some additional considerations to complement your certification journey:

• Earning certifications demonstrates theoretical knowledge, but practical experience is essential. Build a strong portfolio by contributing to open-source projects, creating personal projects that leverage AWS services, or participating in hackathons focused on DevOps methodologies.
• Deepen your understanding of core DevOps principles like continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), infrastructure as code (IaC), and configuration management tools. Explore resources like online courses, tutorials, and industry publications to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices.
• Build connections with other DevOps professionals by attending meetups, conferences, or online communities. Networking allows you to learn from others’ experiences, stay updated on industry trends, and potentially discover new career opportunities.

Conclusion

The AWS certification qualifies DevOps engineers to validate their expertise and unlock career advancement opportunities. This blog post has equipped you with the knowledge to navigate the different certifications, understand their alignment with DevOps practices, and choose the path that best accelerates your career. Remember, certifications are valuable stepping stones, but a commitment to continuous learning, hands-on experience, and a strong grasp of DevOps principles are the keys to unlocking your full potential as an AWS-certified DevOps engineer. So, take action, explore the options, and start your journey to becoming a DevOps leader in the cloud!