AZ-104 vs GCP ACE
Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate and Google Associate Cloud Engineer compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
AZ-104 leads on market demand (705 vs 115 US job postings), while GCP ACEleads on average salary ($118,000). GCP ACE is the more accessible starting point at 2/5 difficulty versus 3/5 for AZ-104.
Side-by-Side Data
| AZ-104 | GCP ACE | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 705leads | 115 |
| Market Share | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Demand Trend | Stable | Stable |
| Avg Salary | $105,000 | $118,000leads |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $165 | $125 |
| Study Time | 40-100 hours | 40-80 hours |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
AZ-104
Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate
Validates expertise managing Azure identities, governance, storage, compute, and virtual networks. The 100-minute exam includes 40-60 questions covering five domains with scenario-based labs. Requires 700/1000 to pass and 6+ months hands-on Azure experience recommended.
GCP ACE
Google Associate Cloud Engineer
Validates ability to deploy applications, monitor operations, and manage Google Cloud solutions. The 2-hour exam has 50 multiple-choice questions covering Compute Engine, Kubernetes Engine, and IAM. Recommended for those with 6+ months GCP hands-on experience.
AZ-104 vs GCP ACE: FAQ
Which pays more, AZ-104 or GCP ACE?+
GCP ACE is associated with the higher average salary: about $118,000 vs $105,000 for AZ-104, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, AZ-104 or GCP ACE?+
AZ-104 currently appears in 705 US job postings versus 115 for GCP ACE — roughly 6.1× the demand. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is AZ-104 harder than GCP ACE?+
Generally yes: we rate AZ-104 3/5 difficulty versus 2/5 for GCP ACE, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both AZ-104 and GCP ACE?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with GCP ACE (2/5 difficulty) and progressing to AZ-104. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.