AWS SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02)
SOA-C02 vs 3 alternatives compared
Exam fee, level, duration, validity and salary side by side. Blank cells mean we do not have verified data yet.
| AWS SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02) | AWS Solutions Architect Associate | AWS Cloud Practitioner | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Amazon Web Services | Amazon Web Services | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate | Beginner | Beginner |
| Exam fee | $150 | $150 | $100 | $99 |
| Duration | — | — | — | — |
| Passing score | — | — | — | — |
| Valid for | — | — | — | — |
| Typical salary | $115K–$150K | $130K–$165K | $90K–$115K | $85K–$105K |
| Prerequisites | — | — | — | — |
Which should you choose?
Should I take SOA-C02 or AWS Solutions Architect Associate first?
Both are rated Intermediate. Pick the one whose exam domains match the job you want, and check which one employers in your area ask for.
Should I take SOA-C02 or AWS Cloud Practitioner first?
AWS Cloud Practitioner is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Intermediate), so it is usually the better first step.
Should I take SOA-C02 or AZ-900 first?
AZ-900 is the lower-level certification (Beginner vs Intermediate), so it is usually the better first step.