AZ-900 vs AZ-104
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals and Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate compared with live job-market data: demand, salary, difficulty, and cost — updated weekly.
The short answer
AZ-900 leads on market demand (850 vs 705 US job postings), while AZ-104leads on average salary ($105,000). AZ-900 is the more accessible starting point at 1/5 difficulty versus 3/5 for AZ-104.
Side-by-Side Data
| AZ-900 | AZ-104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Job Postings | 850leads | 705 |
| Market Share | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Demand Trend | Stable | Stable |
| Avg Salary | $85,000 | $105,000leads |
| Difficulty (1-5) | 1 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Exam Cost | $99 | $165 |
| Study Time | 8-20 hours | 40-100 hours |
Job counts and market share from live US job postings, updated weekly. Want a different matchup? Use theinteractive comparison tool.
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.
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.
AZ-900 vs AZ-104: FAQ
Which pays more, AZ-900 or AZ-104?+
AZ-104 is associated with the higher average salary: about $105,000 vs $85,000 for AZ-900, based on current US job market data.
Which is more in demand, AZ-900 or AZ-104?+
AZ-900 currently appears in 850 US job postings versus 705 for AZ-104. Data updates weekly from live job listings.
Is AZ-104 harder than AZ-900?+
Generally yes: we rate AZ-104 3/5 difficulty versus 1/5 for AZ-900, reflecting exam depth and experience requirements.
Should I get both AZ-900 and AZ-104?+
Many professionals eventually hold both, but sequencing matters. A common path is starting with AZ-900 (1/5 difficulty) and progressing to AZ-104. Compare requirements on each certification's detail page before committing.