AWS SysOps Administrator vs Azure Administrator (AZ-104)

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By Certalyze Research Desk Automated Research & Source Audit
Reviewed by Certalyze Source Audit Updated 2026-04-14
Updated: 2026-04-14 Methodology

Two of the most sought-after cloud operations certifications go head to head. AWS SysOps Administrator Associate and Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) both validate hands-on cloud management skills, but each locks you into a different ecosystem. This comparison breaks down salary, demand, difficulty, and career trajectory so you pick the right cloud platform to specialize in.

$120K
AWS SysOps Administrator
$125K
Azure Administrator (AZ-104)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature AWS SysOps AdministratorAzure Administrator (AZ-104)
Provider AWSMicrosoft
Level AssociateAssociate
Exam Cost $150 ✓$165
Avg Salary $120,000$125,000 ✓
Pass Rate 65%68% ✓
Study Hours 100h100h
Difficulty 7/106/10 ✓
Job Listings 30.0K35.0K ✓

For a deeper look at each certification, read our full AWS SysOps Administrator guide and Azure Administrator (AZ-104) guide. Also compare: AWS SAA vs Azure Administrator, Azure AZ-104 vs AZ-305.

Our Verdict

Both certifications command identical average salaries at $120K, but Azure Administrator (AZ-104) holds a clear edge in raw job market demand with 40K listings versus 30K for AWS SysOps — driven largely by enterprise adoption of Microsoft 365 and hybrid-cloud strategies. AZ-104 is also slightly easier to obtain: lower difficulty rating, higher pass rate, and 20 fewer study hours. AWS SysOps, however, carries more weight in startups, SaaS companies, and cloud-native environments where AWS dominates market share. If your target employers run Microsoft shops or hybrid environments, AZ-104 is the pragmatic choice. If you aim at cloud-native startups or companies already deep in the AWS ecosystem, SysOps delivers stronger signal. For maximum market coverage, many cloud engineers stack both within 6-12 months.

Choose AWS SysOps Administrator if you...

  • Want a lower exam cost ($150 vs $165)
  • Focus on AWS ecosystem and associate-level roles
Read full AWS SysOps Administrator guide →

Choose Azure Administrator (AZ-104) if you...

  • Want higher earning potential ($125K vs $120K avg)
  • Prefer a more accessible exam (68% pass rate)
  • Want broader job market demand (35.0K listings)
  • Prefer a less challenging exam path (6/10 difficulty)
Read full Azure Administrator (AZ-104) guide →

Can You Get Both?

Yes — and many professionals do. Since both AWS SysOps Administrator and Azure Administrator (AZ-104) are in the cloud space, they complement each other well. Both are at the same level, so choose based on your preferred vendor ecosystem and add the second when you want to broaden your expertise.

Combined study commitment: approximately 200h and $315 in exam fees.

These certs feature in career paths like Cloud Architect and Cloud Engineer.

Deep Dive Into Each Certification

AWS SysOps Administrator

AWS · Associate · $120K avg

Azure Administrator (AZ-104)

Microsoft · Associate · $125K avg

Explore more: Cloud Certifications · All comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cloud certification has more job openings?
Azure Administrator (AZ-104) currently leads with approximately 40,000 active job listings compared to 30,000 for AWS SysOps Administrator. This gap reflects the rapid enterprise adoption of Azure, particularly among organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. However, AWS still holds the largest overall cloud market share, so the advantage can shift depending on your geographic market and target industry.
Is AWS SysOps harder than AZ-104?
Yes, by most measures. AWS SysOps Administrator has a difficulty rating of 7/10 versus 6/10 for AZ-104, a lower pass rate (65% vs 68%), and requires roughly 100 study hours compared to 80 for AZ-104. The SysOps exam also includes a hands-on lab component where you perform tasks directly in the AWS console, which adds a practical dimension that many candidates find challenging.
Can I get both AWS SysOps and AZ-104?
Absolutely, and multi-cloud skills are increasingly valued. Engineers holding both AWS and Azure certifications report higher average salaries and more interview callbacks than single-cloud specialists. A common strategy is to certify in your primary platform first, gain 6-12 months of hands-on experience, then add the second. This combination signals versatility and makes you a strong candidate for cloud architect or multi-cloud engineer roles.
Which certification is better for someone new to cloud?
Neither is ideal as a first cloud certification. Both are associate-level exams that assume foundational cloud knowledge. If you are new to cloud, start with AWS Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) to build a solid base, then pursue SysOps or AZ-104 once you have some hands-on experience. Jumping straight to an associate-level operations cert without fundamentals often leads to frustration and failed attempts.

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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: 2026-04-14 Our Methodology Editorial Standards