Guide
5 AWS Certifications to Boost Your Software Engineering Career
Written By Jennifer Inglis
Edited By Jess Feldman
Last updated March 24, 2025
Written By Jennifer Inglis
Edited By Jess Feldman
Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
If you're a software engineer aiming to level up your cloud skills in 2025, earning an Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification could be a smart move. But with a growing list of certifications available, it can be tough to know which one is right for your goals. To help you cut through the noise, we’re highlighting five of the most in-demand AWS certifications that employers are actively hiring for this year.
In this guide, you’ll learn who each certification is best for, how much the exam costs, how long it takes to prepare, and the best courses to help you prepare for each test. Plus, we’re answering your top FAQs and sharing first-hand insights from people just like you who have successfully earned their AWS credentials.
Getting “AWS certified” demonstrates your knowledge and expertise in cloud computing issued by Amazon Web Services. If you’re an IT pro, such as a cloud engineer, cloud architect, or cloud administrator, you might consider getting an AWS certification if you’re looking to get a job in cloud computing, move up the career ladder, or simply stand out from the crowd when on the job hunt.
Companies across many different industries use AWS, and having a certification opens career doors – it demonstrates that you’re a credible, proficient specialist in AWS systems, and can establish you as an expert in the field of cloud computing.
While there are a lot of AWS certifications out there, software engineers should be looking at the five specific AWS certifications we’ll discuss below.
While AWS certification can be valuable, it isn’t required to start a career in software development. In fact, you can even work at AWS without an AWS certification! However, if you decide to pursue certification, it can provide a variety of benefits, such as:
It helps you develop industry skills. Getting AWS certification provides you with a greater understanding and knowledge of AWS products and how to use them effectively in cloud computing and analytics.
It demonstrates a commitment to your career. Having an AWS certification shows potential employers that you have the expertise to administer and maintain AWS programs. It also shows that you have a passion for staying on top of current trends and advancements in cloud computing as well as moving forward in your industry.
It gives you an advantage over other job applicants who don’t have certification. While an AWS certification alone won’t get you a job, it does demonstrate to a potential employer that you have the skills the job requires along with hands-on experience and evidence of problem-solving skills.
It helps you “future proof” your career. AWS is a leading provider of cloud services, and has 31% market share and $27.5 billion in total sales (as of the third quarter of 2024), so it stands to reason that many companies will require someone who is AWS-certified.
It provides a chance for a better salary. Studies have shown that those with AWS certifications can earn 25-30% more than those without!
You can grow your professional network. With an AWS certification, you can be part of the AWS Certified Global Community, which provides access to the AWS Certified LinkedIn community and network and the opportunity to attend AWS-centered events and conferences.
|
Exam Cost |
Level of Difficulty |
Who is it for? |
Exam Duration |
Prerequisites |
|
|
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner |
$100 |
Beginner |
Career changers with no prior IT or Cloud experience |
90 minutes |
None! |
|
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate |
$150 |
Moderate |
Tech professionals with 1 year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions with AWS Or for IT professionals with 1-3 years of Cloud experience |
130 minutes |
Yes - must have a solid understanding of AWS |
|
AWS Certified Developer Associate |
$150 |
Moderate |
For Software Developers with 1+ years of practical AWS experience |
130 minutes |
None! |
|
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate |
$150 |
Moderate to Challenging |
For Solutions Architects with 1+ years of AWS experience |
130 minutes |
No, but experience is recommended. |
|
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional |
$300 |
Very Challenging |
For experienced tech professionals with 2+ years of AWS system management and operations experience |
180 minutes |
No, but it's intended for those with significant AWS experience |
Recommended Prep Course: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Foundations
💡 On-the-ground insight: The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is the starting point in AWS certifications for a software engineer, cloud engineer, Solutions architect, application architect, cloud data engineer, system administrator, test engineer, Cloud DevOps engineer, DevSecOps engineer, cloud security engineer, cloud security architect, network engineer, prompt engineer, machine learning engineer, machine learning Ops engineer, or data scientist.
💡 On-the-ground insight from Tech Elevator bootcamp graduate Joel: When Joel was on the job hunt for his first developer role, he found that “employers [like JPMorgan Chase] wanted the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification as a baseline.”
Yes. Getting an AWS certification can help you in several aspects of your career, including increasing your earning potential, highlighting your commitment to your career, and helping you stand out in a competitive job market. It demonstrates to potential employers that you have the skills they’re looking for.
You don’t need AWS certification to get a job, since most employers are more concerned with hands-on experience and skills rather than just a “piece of paper,” so you can land a job in cloud computing without one. However, you will be competing with other candidates who do have AWS certification, so it might be more difficult to stand out.
Yes. AWS certification holders can earn some of the highest salaries in the industries, as these skills are in high demand. Someone with an AWS Certified Developer Associate certificate, for example, can earn an average salary of $125,879, and an AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional can earn around $155,905 per year. Jefferson Frank found that “73% of AWS professionals received a salary increase, averaging 27% after certification.”
Jennifer Inglis, Guest Editor
Jennifer Inglis is a freelance writer, editor, and content creator with extensive professional expertise in advertising, media analysis, teaching, writing, and literature. Prior to becoming a writer, Jennifer was a Media Analyst for ten years and then earned her master's degree in Teaching, instructing middle-school students in college/career readiness, writing, and public speaking..
Jess Feldman, Content Manager at Course Report
Jess Feldman is an accomplished writer and the Content Manager at Course Report, the leading platform for career changers who are exploring coding bootcamps. With a background in writing, teaching, and social media management, Jess plays a pivotal role in helping Course Report readers make informed decisions about their educational journey.
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