💡 Want to know all AWS certification paths in one place?
👉 Explore all AWS certifications here
🚀 Structured AWS Certification Plan (With Free Resources)
Here's a complete, phase-wise breakdown of AWS certifications, role focus, free prep paths, salaries, and exam fees:
| Phase | Certification | Prep Path (Free) | Role Focus | Salary Range | Exam Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 – Core | Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) | Cloud Practitioner Essentials Course | Any Cloud Role | 💰 $50K–$80K | 💵 $100 |
| Phase 2 – Associate | Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) | Learning Plan | Architect, Dev, IT | 💰 $120K–$150K | 💵 $150 |
| Phase 3A – Specialty (Optional) | DevOps Engineer – Professional | DevOps Learning Plan | DevOps Engineer | 💰 $140K–$170K+ | 💵 $300 |
| Phase 3B – Specialty (Optional) | Security – Specialty | Security Learning Plan | Security Specialist | 💰 $145K–$180K+ | 💵 $300 |
| Phase 3C – Specialty (Optional) |
Data Analytics – Specialty Machine Learning – Specialty |
Data Analytics Plan Machine Learning Plan |
Data / ML Engineer | 💰 $150K–$190K+ | 💵 $300 |
| Phase 4 – Pro | Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP-C02) | Pro Learning Plan | Lead Architect | 💰 $160K–$200K+ | 💵 $300 |
🔄 Why This Order?
| Phase | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 1 – Cloud Practitioner | Entry-level, great starting point, low risk |
| 2 – Solutions Architect Associate | High value, unlocks 6-figure opportunities |
| 3 – Specialty (Optional) | Deep dives into niche roles (DevOps, Security, ML) |
| 4 – Architect Pro | Advanced, for leadership or senior-level roles |
✅ Bonus Tips to Supercharge Your AWS Career
💻 Build a GitHub Portfolio
Showcase S3 hosting, Lambda functions, Terraform infra, and CI/CD pipelines
🔍 Optimize Your LinkedIn
Use terms like: AWS Certified, Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, Security Specialist
🧑🤝🧑 Join AWS Communities
💼 Start Freelancing
🎯 Stack Certifications
Strategy: Associate + One Specialty = 🔓 higher pay + more job offers
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