Getting an AWS certification can be a smart choice if you want a new IT job, a different role where you work now, or just want to move up in your current job. At first, it might seem like AWS Architect certification is much better than AWS Developer. But, if you look closely, the decision isn’t that simple.
So, in order to choose between the two, a number of elements must be considered, including cloud storage cost, data transmission loss rate, and data availability rates, among others.
Many of you people may have nagging questions about AWS certifications: Is it really a good starter for your career? Which ones should you pursue and what will be possible learning curve paths? Well, you need to calm yourself down as we have got you covered. In this article, we will be taking you to a long walk of AWS, along with the major differences between AWS Solution Architect and AWS Developer. Moreover, we think that taking you on a walk is not suffice, therefore we will be adding a few learning resources at the end, in order to make your AWS journey easy.
Overview of AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is like a computer place in the sky. It offers lots of services that you can use whenever you need them and pay for what you use. With AWS, you can build, put out, and take care of programs and things on the internet. AWS started in 2006 and has become the top choice for cloud computing, helping many customers everywhere. It’s made to handle lots of stuff, be safe, and work well. People from small businesses to big ones use AWS to run all kinds of things.
AWS provides a wide range of services and features, including:
- Compute services are like tools in Amazon Web Services (AWS) that let you do two main things: one is to use Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) which is like making fake computers you can use, and the other is AWS Lambda which helps you run your code when something happens.
- Storage services, such as Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) and Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS), for storing and managing data in the cloud
- Database services, such as Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) and Amazon DynamoDB, for running databases in the cloud
- Networking services, such as Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and Amazon Route 53, for creating and managing virtual networks in the cloud
- Security and management services, such as Amazon Identity and Access Management (IAM) and AWS CloudTrail, for controlling access to AWS resources and monitoring activity
- In Amazon Web Services (AWS), there are special tools for two things: machine learning and analyzing data. One is Amazon SageMaker, which helps you make and use machine learning models. The other is Amazon QuickSight, which helps you understand and study data.
AWS – Making the world a better place
Certifications provide a quantifiable impression of the fluency and capabilities for passing a certain set of tasks and abilities.
Before we dwell into the discussion on AWS Developer vs AWS Architect, it is highly important to see the bigger picture. Yes, we are talking about the reflection on reasons to pursue AWS certification. AWS certifications could be the right tools for landing new professional opportunities i.e., new jobs or promotions.
1. AWS is becoming the Gold Standard of the Cloud
- First and foremost, AWS outperforms the competition in practically every way. That is, Amazon’s cloud is ten times larger than the next 14 competitors. This is bad news for Azure and Google Cloud Platform, but it’s obviously good news for you.
- AWS services affect practically every part of technology and are difficult to explain. If you take advantage of Amazon’s platform, AWS can make your life lot easier.
2. AWS Certifications Are Feasible and Within Reach
- Next, Amazon has a practical way for certification that doesn’t need you to leave your job or spend a lot of money on training. I’m not saying it’s super simple to get your first AWS certification.
- A common and easy way is to begin with the Certified Solutions Architect Associate. It helps you get to know the AWS world and important services.
3. AWS Skills Are in High Demand
- Last but not the least, AWS skills are in high demand and you can earn a lot with this certification. However, it is equally important to understand that simply getting the AWS certification does not automatically mean that you will make money.
- In other words, there are many factors that play here, including your other skills, experience, geographic location, etc.
After being exposed to the benefits, let us take our undivided attention towards the comparison of AWS Architect vs AWS Developer in the following segments of this discussion.
Differences in Exam Details
The first aspect of the comparisons between the AWS Developer and AWS Architect is evident in the exam details. Interestingly, there are a lot many similarities in this comparison, though with differences in terms of abilities tested in the exams.
The exam format in the AWS Solution Architect and AWS Developer certification exams is similar.
You will discover multiple-choice and multiple-answer formats in the questions for the certification exams. Both certification exams are available in four languages – English, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The registration fee for each exam is $150 USD, and each exam lasts 130 minutes.
The difference between the AWS Developer and Solution Architect credentials, on the other hand, is in the eligibility requirements for the certification examinations. The AWS solutions architect associate certification assesses applicants’ ability to do the following.
- Firstly, an exhibition of in-depth knowledge regarding architecture and deployment of applications on AWS technologies with higher security and resilience.
- Secondly, the definition of solutions using architectural design principles with reference to customer requirements.
- Thirdly, facilitating implementation guidance on the grounds of best practices throughout the project lifecycle.
On the other hand, AWS Developer certification tests the following abilities of candidates.
- Firstly, a detailed understanding of core AWS services, their applications and best practices for basic AWS architecture.
- Secondly, fluency in the development, deployment and debugging cloud-based applications by leveraging AWS capabilities.
Major Comparison of Skills and Abilities
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a range of certifications to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in using and managing AWS cloud services. Here’s a comparison of the skills and abilities required for some of the most popular AWS exams:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate:
- Design and deploy scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS
- Understand AWS architectural principles and services
- Identifying and defining technical requirements for an AWS-based application
- Migrate on-premises workloads to AWS
- Estimate AWS costs and identify cost-control measures
AWS Certified Developer – Associate:
- Develop and deploy applications on AWS
- Write code using AWS-supported programming languages and APIs
- Use AWS services to design and implement scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant applications
- Write and debug AWS CloudFormation templates
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate:
- Manage and operate AWS systems and services
- Understand deployment, management, and operational best practices for AWS
- Monitor and troubleshoot AWS environments
- Ensure the security and compliance of AWS systems
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional:
- Design, deploy, and manage highly available, scalable, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS
- Implementing and managing continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS
- Understand and implement automation and optimization of AWS services and processes
- Use AWS tools and services to manage and monitor AWS systems
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional:
- Design and deploy scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS
- Design and deploy enterprise-wide scalable operations on AWS
- Identify and define technical requirements for an AWS-based application
- Migrate on-premises workloads to AWS
- Implement cost-control strategies
These certifications require varying levels of experience and expertise with AWS. However, they all require a solid understanding of AWS architectural principles and services, as well as hands-on experience with AWS tools and services. By gaining the skills and abilities required for these certifications, IT professionals can demonstrate their expertise in AWS and advance their careers in cloud computing.
Let’s talk about Salary!
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a huge and really liked cloud computing platform globally. Lots of people use it, and its value has been going up quickly. New numbers from Synergy Research Group show that in the second quarter of 2021, AWS had 32% of the computer market for the internet, which is much more than anyone else.
When it comes to how much AWS professionals get paid, the exact amount can change based on things like how much experience they have, where they work, their job title, and the skills they have. But, information from PayScale shows that the average pay for an AWS-certified pro in the United States is about $130,000 each year. This can go up a lot for higher-level jobs or if someone has special skills or certifications.
The demand for AWS professionals is also high, as more and more organizations are moving their workloads to the cloud and adopting AWS as their cloud platform. This has resulted in a shortage of qualified professionals, making it an opportune time for individuals to upskill and specialize in AWS.
Besides the money you can make, working with AWS can also open doors for your career to get better and for you to learn more. As an AWS professional, you can work on a wide range of projects and technologies, gain exposure to cutting-edge tools and services, and build skills that are highly valued in the industry.
Overall, the market value and demand for AWS professionals are high, making it a lucrative and rewarding career path for those with an interest in cloud computing and a willingness to learn and develop their skills.
Hand-pick the Right One!
For freshers who are just starting their careers in cloud computing, the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is a good place to begin. This foundational certification is designed to validate your understanding of AWS cloud services, pricing, and architecture. It does not require any prior experience with AWS or technical knowledge.
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification covers four key areas: cloud concepts, security and compliance, technology, and billing and pricing. It provides a broad overview of AWS cloud services and their use cases, as well as basic cloud security and compliance concepts.
Further, choosing the right AWS certification can depend on several factors, including your career goals, experience with AWS, and the skills and knowledge you want to develop. Here are some key considerations to help you choose the right AWS certification:
- Your career goals: Think about what you want to achieve with an AWS certification. Do you want to specialize in a particular area of AWS, such as solutions architecture, development, or operations? Are you looking to advance your career in cloud computing or switch to a new career path? Understanding your career goals can help you select a certification that matches your skills.
- Your experience with AWS: Consider your level of experience with AWS. If you’re new to AWS, you may want to start with a foundational certification such as the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. If you have more experience with AWS, you may want to pursue a more advanced certification such as the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional.
- Your interests and strengths: Think about your areas of interest and strengths. Are you more interested in working with AWS infrastructure or developing applications on AWS? Do you have a particular skill set that you want to build upon, such as automation, security, or machine learning? Picking a certification that matches what you like and are good at can keep you interested and excited while you’re working to get certified.
- Industry demand: Research the demand for AWS certifications in your industry or job market. Look for job postings or talk to industry professionals to get a sense of which certifications are most in demand. This can help you choose a certification that will have the most impact on your career prospects.
- Certification prerequisites: Be aware of any prerequisites for the certification you’re interested in. Some certifications require prior AWS experience or other certifications as a prerequisite, so make sure you meet the requirements before committing to a certification.
Learning Resources
You can get ready for the test in many ways, but the best way for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam is to do hands-on learning. With that in mind, let’s check out these study materials.
White Papers
The white papers provided by AWS are based on what customers face and cover the real-world challenges at work. To really understand how AWS works, you should read these papers closely. Plus, the exams are based on what’s in these papers. So, whether you know about AWS or not, you should definitely go through these readings.
AWS Books
There are really good books that have been popular for a while and can help you get ready for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam. So, our advice is to look for books from trusted places.
- Firstly, AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide
- Secondly, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Certification Guide
- Lastly, AWS Certified Solutions Architect: Official Study Guide
Practice Exams
AWS provides some sample questions that can be found on their official website. You should review these questions to gain a better grasp of the exam questions. Unfortunately, there aren’t many questions to practise on in AWS. Practice Tests are useful for determining your level of preparation and getting a feel for the examination before taking it. Practice examinations and a mock test geared toward practical knowledge can simply be accessed online. AWS provides ten free example questions and costs $20 for twenty.
Further, for AWS exams it is recommended to go over AWS sample questions. However, for effective preparation, you would require more questions. So, Unlock access to exclusive AWS Practice Tests
Expert Tutorials
Getting guidance from experts is a big help when you’re getting ready for the test. Expert tutorials are like trying to learn from experienced people and imitating what they know and can do. Books or lectures don’t give you the same back-and-forth interaction and concentration that a tutorial does. So, start shaping your future with free tutorials on AWS Solution Architect Associate.
Instructor-led training
AWS certifications are primarily practical in nature and rely heavily on prior experience and instruction. You can use the practical hands-on training to familiarise yourself with design, implementation, AWS services, and systems. Online forums, video training, and courses are all readily available, and they go over the objectives, themes, and overall exam layout in detail.
AWS Youtube Channel
The AWS Youtube Channel publishes video that goes into great detail and focuses on exam-related subjects. There are interesting presentations that range in difficulty from basic to moderately higher quality. For raising awareness and promoting learning, the films may be short and useful.
Exam Tips:
Here are some tips to help you prepare for an AWS certification exam:
- Familiarize yourself with the exam content: Start by reviewing the AWS certification exam guide to get a clear understanding of the content and format of the exam. Make a study plan based on the areas where you need improvement and allocate sufficient time for each topic.
- Use AWS Official Study Materials: Use the official AWS training and certification materials, such as the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide and the AWS Certified Developer Official Study Guide, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the services and features covered in the exam.
- Practice with AWS services: Hands-on experience with AWS services is essential to passing the certification exams. Use the AWS Free Tier to practice deploying and managing applications and services.
- Utilize online resources: Make the most of resources online, like AWS documents, papers, and places where people talk, to really get to know the things that the test is about. There are also lots of online classes and lessons that can help you get ready for the certification.
- Join study groups: Joining a study group or online community can be helpful in sharing knowledge and experiences with others preparing for the same exam.
- Take practice exams: Take practice exams to assess your knowledge and identify areas where you need improvement. There are several websites that offer practice exams for AWS certification exams.
- Stay up-to-date: AWS services and things they can do are always changing, so it’s vital to know about the newest updates and changes.
- Relax and manage your time during the exam: Stay calm while taking the test, and use your time well. Read each question carefully, and start by answering the ones you’re sure about. You can come back to the harder questions later.
Remember, the AWS certification exams are challenging, but with proper preparation and dedication, you can successfully pass the exam and become an AWS-certified professional.
Expert’s Corner
To summarise, the above-mentioned argument on AWS Developer vs AWS Architect qualifications was critical for someone who was just getting started with AWS. The article contains a list of the various options and responsibilities that an aspiring candidate might consider. Both certification examinations are capable of fetching lucrative wage packages for you, as you can see from the article. All you have to do now is state your requirements for getting AWS certification so that you may select the appropriate exam. As a result, it’s critical that you make a decision based on your interests and work toward becoming an AWS certified administrator.
Ready to get certified? Enroll yourself here and browse all the Amazon Web Services (AWS) course offerings!
Earn yourself a digital badge with advanced learning skills and expert tutorials on AWS certifications. Prepare and become a Certified AWS Professional Now!
