Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional | Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft |
| Level | Professional | Expert |
| Exam Cost | $300 | $165 ✓ |
| Avg Salary | $145,000 ✓ | $140,000 |
| Pass Rate | 45% | 60% ✓ |
| Study Hours | 180h | 120h ✓ |
| Difficulty | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Job Listings | 15.0K | 28.0K ✓ |
For a deeper look at each certification, read our full AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional guide and Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) guide. Also compare: AZ-400 vs AWS DevOps Engineer: Which DevOps Certification?.
Our Verdict
Both certifications are advanced-level and validate strong DevOps skills. AWS DevOps Engineer Professional edges ahead in salary ($140K vs $135K) and job listings, but costs nearly double the Azure exam. Azure AZ-400 is slightly more accessible with a higher pass rate and shorter study time. Your choice should align with the cloud platform your organization uses — the skills are largely transferable, but the tooling differs significantly.
Choose AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional if you...
- Want higher earning potential ($145K vs $140K avg)
- Focus on Amazon Web Services ecosystem and professional-level roles
Choose Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) if you...
- Prefer a more accessible exam (60% pass rate)
- Want a lower exam cost ($165 vs $300)
- Want broader job market demand (28.0K listings)
- Have limited study time (~120h vs ~180h)
Can You Get Both?
Yes — and many professionals do. Since both AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional and Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) are in the cloud space, they complement each other well. Start with the Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) (lower barrier to entry) and add the other after 1-2 years of hands-on experience.
Combined study commitment: approximately 300h and $465 in exam fees.
Both certifications appear in the Cloud DevOps Engineer career roadmap.
Deep Dive Into Each Certification
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional
Amazon Web Services · Professional · $145K avg
Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)
Microsoft · Expert · $140K avg
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior certifications before attempting these?
Which DevOps certification is harder?
Can I work multi-cloud with just one of these?
Related Career Paths
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