Azure Certification Path: Levels, Qualifications, and More

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Key takeaways

• Microsoft Azure certification paths follow six different Training Journeys, which are tailored to specific types of industries or professions

• The Azure AI certification path is the Data & AI professionals path, which includes the course Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901)

• The Azure Cloud certification path has three levels: Cloud IT Pros, Hybrid Cloud IT Pros, and Cloud IT Pros Expert Level

The Azure certification paths help you demonstrate expertise in key skills and tools related to the Azure platform. Explore the Azure certification path, including how it’s organized and the certifications that you can expect to encounter on it. Afterward, if you want to build foundational knowledge of Azure and prepare for certification, consider enrolling in the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Prep Specialization. Over this three-month course, you’ll have the chance to learn IT fundamentals to help launch a cloud computing career.

Microsoft Azure certification path options

Microsoft Azure organizes its different certifications into Training Journeys, which are tailored to specific types of industries or professions. Each of these six different Training Journeys has a recommended set of certifications to take. Each exam helps to build skills and further advance your knowledge base in your chosen role

The specific certification tied to each exam is outlined in more detail in the table below, with the Azure certification paths as follows:

• Cloud IT pros: AZ 104→AZ 500→AZ 120→AZ 700→AZ 140

• Hybrid cloud IT pros: AZ 800 or AZ 801→AZ 104→AZ 140

• Cloud IT pros expert level: AZ 104→AZ 400→AZ 305

• Developers: AZ 204→AI 102→DP 420→AZ 400

• Data & AI professionals: DP 300→DP 203→DP 100

• Data analysts: PL 300→ DP 500

Azure certification levels

Azure certifications are offered in four different levels: fundamentals, associate, expert, and specialty

• Fundamental certifications are for professionals who have just started out in IT or are looking to transition into the industry. They focus on building foundational knowledge about Azure functions and technologies

• Associatecertifications are designed for professionals who already have some experience or familiarity with Azure

• Expertcertifications are for established professionals who have strong backgrounds in IT and cloud computing, plus experience with Microsoft Azure services and technologies

• Specialtycertifications are designed to demonstrate more niche cloud programming skills and expertise

If you’re new to Azure, start with a Fundamentals exam related to your career. After that, you can pursue several Associate and Specialty Azure certifications. Finally, show your expertise to current or future employers with Expert-level Azure certifications

Explore the certifications in the table below:

Certification	Level	What it’s best for
Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)	Fundamentals	Demonstrating your AI skills on the cloud and the services Azure can offer in this area
Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)	Fundamentals	Developing a strong foundation in the core concepts of data and data analytics
Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)	Fundamentals	Demonstrating your knowledge of cloud concepts, models, and services and showing your expertise in Azure
Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)	Associate	Building on subject matter expertise managing an organization’s Microsoft Azure environment
Azure AI Engineer Associate (AZ-102)	Associate	Learning to build, manage, and deploy AI solutions within Azure
Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203)	Associate	Storing and using datasets for analysis and managing data pipelines and data stores
Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)	Associate	Working with data in the cloud
Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)	Associate	Exploring data science and using Azure Machine Learning and Azure Databricks
Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)	Associate	Managing the operational aspects of data platform solutions built with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services
Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)	Associate	Building on your cloud developer experience and learning about developing Azure computing and storage
Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate (DP-500)	Associate	Building expertise in data analytics solutions, including how to design, create, and deploy them
Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700)	Associate	Validating your knowledge and skills in Azure network solutions planning, implementation, and maintenance
Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)	Associate	Planning and implementing cloud-based management and security; building on your experience in code, security operations processes, cloud capabilities, and Azure services
Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate (AZ-600)	Associate	Enhancing your skills in providing platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) using Azure Stack Hub
Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)	Expert	Building on your experience as an infrastructure administrator or developer, with expertise in DevOps, Azure administration, or development
Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)	Expert	Building on your expertise in designing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, as well as your advanced experience and knowledge in IT operations, Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes

Azure Specialty Certifications:

• Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420)

• Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140)

• Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty (AZ-120)

Which Azure certification should I earn first?

It’s recommended to start with one of the Azure Fundamentals certifications—either AI 901, AZ 900, SC 900, or DP 900, especially if you are new to the cloud computing field or want to move into cloud computing from another industry. Fundamentals certifications are also good ways to become familiar with the certification process before spending time and money on more advanced certifications. Choose an Azure Fundamentals certification that best matches your background or the field you want to move into.

If you’re new to the field but you want to pursue in-demand AI skills, consider enrolling in the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals AI-900 Exam Prep Specialization on Coursera. You’ll earn a certification for your study while prepping to pass the AI-900 exam

Is an Azure certification worth it?

Azure certification provides you with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the expectations of the IT field you are interested in pursuing as a career. Certification is also helpful for further developing skills and advancing your knowledge as you pursue more expert or senior roles

Azure is one of the most popular cloud platforms used by businesses across the world, so gaining certification in Azure helps to make you competitive in a high-demand job market, since you’ll have knowledge of Azure’s different components and features. Businesses look for candidates who have the expertise needed to be successful members of their IT team, and Azure certification helps to demonstrate these skills with industry-recognized certifications.

Job roles and salaries

Once you’ve gained certification, you have the opportunity to apply for different cloud computing jobs. Some of these roles and their median total salaries are:

• Cloud developer, who is responsible for building, testing, and managing cloud systems. The median total pay for this role is $132,000 [1]

• Cloud systems engineer, who works as part of a larger team managing a company’s cloud network and systems. The median total pay for this role is $158,000 [2]

• Cloud consultant, who evaluates cloud structures and makes recommendations for improvement. The median total pay for this role is $190,000[3]

• Cloud architect, who builds cloud infrastructure based on a business’s unique needs. The median total pay for this role is $202,000 [4]

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of August 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation

Prepare for Azure certification on Coursera

Discover fresh insights into your career or learn about trends in your industry by subscribing to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat! Then, learn more about IT certifications with our free re

• Watch on YouTube:3 Generative Models Explained in Azure

• Explore a career path:Azure Learning Roadmap: From Beginner to Expert

• Read a Career Chat issue:Ready for a Tech Career? How to Choose Between IT and Cloud Support

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Article sources

1. 

Glassdoor. “Cloud Developer Salary, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/cloud-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm.” Accessed August 16, 2026

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• 9 Azure DevOps Interview Questions + How to Prepare
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Updated on Aug 22, 2026
Written by:

Coursera Staff

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals

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