AWS CP vs AZ-900
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Microsoft Azure Fundamentals compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
AWS CP leads on market demand (1,166 vs 850 US job postings) and AWS CPalso leads on average salary ($90,000). Both carry a 1/5 difficulty rating, so the decision comes down to career direction rather than effort.
Side-by-Side Data
| AWS CP | AZ-900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 1,166leads | 850 |
| Market Share | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Demand Trend | Stable | Stable |
| Avg Salary | $90,000leads | $85,000 |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $100 | $99 |
| Study Time | 20-40 hours | 8-20 hours |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
AWS CP
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Entry-level AWS certification validating foundational cloud concepts, AWS services, security, and pricing models. The 65-question CLF-C02 exam requires 700/1000 to pass and takes 90 minutes. Ideal for sales, marketing, and business roles seeking cloud literacy without deep technical requirements.
AZ-900
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Entry-level Microsoft certification covering cloud concepts, Azure services, security, compliance, and pricing. The 85-minute exam requires 700/1000 to pass and is designed for both technical and non-technical professionals. Often available free through Microsoft virtual training events.
AWS CP vs AZ-900: FAQ
Which pays more, AWS CP or AZ-900?+
AWS CP is associated with the higher average salary: about $90,000 vs $85,000 for AZ-900, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, AWS CP or AZ-900?+
AWS CP currently appears in 1,166 US job postings versus 850 for AZ-900. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is AZ-900 harder than AWS CP?+
Both are rated 1/5 difficulty on our scale, though exam formats and prerequisites differ — see each certification's page for specifics.
Should I get both AWS CP and AZ-900?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with AWS CP (1/5 difficulty) and progressing to AZ-900. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.