AWS Data Engineer – Associate vs GCP Professional Data Engineer

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By Certalyze Research Desk Automated Research & Source Audit
Reviewed by Certalyze Source Audit Updated 2026-04-26
Updated: 2026-04-26 Methodology

AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate vs Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer: two cloud-native data engineering certifications from the top cloud providers. AWS DEA validates data pipeline and analytics skills on AWS, while GCP PDE tests advanced data engineering on Google Cloud with a focus on machine learning integration.

$130K
AWS Data Engineer – Associate
$142K
GCP Professional Data Engineer

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature AWS Data Engineer – AssociateGCP Professional Data Engineer
Provider AWSGoogle Cloud
Level AssociateProfessional
Exam Cost $150 ✓$200
Avg Salary $130,000$142,000 ✓
Pass Rate 62% ✓50%
Study Hours 150h140h ✓
Difficulty 7/107/10
Job Listings 22.0K ✓8.5K

For a deeper look at each certification, read our full AWS Data Engineer – Associate guide and GCP Professional Data Engineer guide. Also compare: GCP Professional Data Engineer vs AWS Database Specialty.

Our Verdict

AWS Data Engineer Associate is the safer bet for most professionals — AWS leads in market share, job listings (roughly 22K vs 8.5K), exam cost ($150 vs $200), and accessibility (68% pass rate vs GCP's 55%). GCP Professional Data Engineer commands a $15K salary premium ($140K vs $125K) and signals senior-level expertise, but demands 160 hours of study at difficulty 8/10. Choose based on your target employer's cloud platform: AWS for the broadest market reach, GCP if you work with BigQuery or want to demonstrate advanced data engineering and ML integration skills.

Choose AWS Data Engineer – Associate if you...

  • Prefer a more accessible exam (62% pass rate)
  • Want a lower exam cost ($150 vs $200)
  • Want broader job market demand (22.0K listings)
  • Focus on AWS ecosystem and associate-level roles
Read full AWS Data Engineer – Associate guide →

Choose GCP Professional Data Engineer if you...

  • Want higher earning potential ($142K vs $130K avg)
  • Have limited study time (~140h vs ~150h)
  • Focus on Google Cloud ecosystem and professional-level roles
Read full GCP Professional Data Engineer guide →

Can You Get Both?

Yes — and many professionals do. Since both AWS Data Engineer – Associate and GCP Professional Data Engineer are in the data-analytics space, they complement each other well. Start with the AWS Data Engineer – Associate (lower barrier to entry) and add the other after 1-2 years of hands-on experience.

Combined study commitment: approximately 290h and $350 in exam fees.

These certs feature in career paths like Data Engineer and Data Scientist.

Deep Dive Into Each Certification

AWS Data Engineer – Associate

AWS · Associate · $130K avg

GCP Professional Data Engineer

Google Cloud · Professional · $142K avg

Explore more: Data & Analytics Certifications · All comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cloud data engineer certification pays more?
GCP Professional Data Engineer averages $140,000 compared to AWS Data Engineer Associate's $125,000. The $15K gap is partly due to the certification levels — GCP's is professional-level while AWS's is associate-level. GCP certified engineers also tend to work at companies (tech firms, data-intensive startups) that pay premium salaries. However, AWS has significantly more total job openings.
Should I get both AWS and GCP data engineering certifications?
If you work in multi-cloud environments or consulting, holding both is a strong differentiator. Start with the platform your current employer uses, gain practical experience, then add the second. Having both signals versatility and deep data engineering knowledge. However, for most professionals, depth in one platform plus hands-on experience is more valuable than collecting certifications.
Do employers prefer AWS Data Engineer – Associate or GCP Professional Data Engineer?
Employer preference varies by role, industry, and organization. Both certifications are well-recognized in the industry. Check job listings in your target area to see which is mentioned more frequently. Our job demand data above provides a current snapshot of market preferences.

Related Career Paths

Data Engineer

Data engineers design, build, and maintain the infrastructure and pipelines that move and transform ...

$80K – $165K

Data Scientist

Data scientists extract insights from complex datasets using statistical analysis, machine learning,...

$85K – $180K

Database Administrator

Database administrators design, deploy, secure, and optimize the databases that power business appli...

$65K – $145K

Data Sources & Transparency

  • Salary data — Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and job posting aggregates (US median)
  • Job listings — LinkedIn, Indeed, and Dice active postings (sampled quarterly)
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates from Reddit, TechExams, and certification forums
Last reviewed: 2026-04-26 Our Methodology Editorial Standards