Microsoft Azure AZ-900 job outlook and careers (2024): Your complete preparation guide

As the second most widely used global cloud service provider, Microsoft Azure is a popular choice for organizations. As cloud adoption and migration increase, vendor-specific cloud certifications are crucial. The Microsoft Azure AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) validates fundamental knowledge of cloud computing basics, Microsoft Azure management tools, core Azure services and different governance features. 

Understanding the Azure AZ-900 certification 

If you're choosing to specialize within the Microsoft ecosystem, the Azure AZ-900 is ideal for building a career within Microsoft Azure solutions and certifications.  

Suppose you need to enhance your professional credibility, prepare for more advanced certifications, improve salary objectives and validate a deep knowledge of Azure-specific subjects. In that case, the AZ-900 is an excellent choice for your next certification.  

The Azure AZ-900 is an entry-level Microsoft exam for cloud engineering professionals. Its main purpose is to validate foundational knowledge and lay the groundwork for a career in cloud computing and cybersecurity.  

It covers computing, networking and storage and is ideal for job titles such as data analysts, network administrators, cloud system analysts, junior cloud administrators and more. 

Job outlook for Azure AZ-900 professionals in 2024 

With most businesses migrating to cloud providers, digital transformation rapidly explains the need for highly skilled cloud experts. Especially as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and the Internet of Things expand to more advanced technologies, there's a significant demand for Azure cloud computing specialization. 

According to the American Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for cloud engineers is expected to grow 23% through 2032, exploding significantly faster than other markets. Similarly, Azure services are growing faster than any competitor like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud, thanks to Microsoft's close, long-term relationship with leading AI company, OpenAI. 

Azure-certified professionals are in high demand now and will only continue to grow as Azure invests in industry-leading innovation around AI, ML and computing. On average, certified professionals earn higher salaries than non-certified professionals, have clearer paths for promotions and professional development and are often more likely to land new, high-paying jobs with specific certifications on their resumes. 

Azure certifications impact on cybersecurity careers 

Azure certifications are no exception; they play a critical role in validating and assessing your knowledge within your cybersecurity field. Azure certifications, specifically the AZ-900, are one of the first steps in demonstrating your expertise in vendor-specific cloud services. 

In the Azure certification ecosystem, the AZ-900 serves as a prerequisite for more advanced certifications like Azure Solutions Architect Expert or the Azure Developer Associate. It provides a clear career path to becoming an Azure Administrator, Cloud Support Associate, Cloud Developer or Cloud Support Engineer. 

Preparing for the Azure AZ-900 exam 

For both technical and non-technical professionals, proper preparation and studying are key to passing the Azure AZ-900 exam. Especially if you're not coming from an information technology (IT) background, thoroughly practicing with sample questions, question-and-answer banks, study guides and online training is critical to achieving a passing score of 700. 

AZ-900 practice test questions offer hundreds of sample questions and practice exams to thoroughly test your knowledge ahead of time. See what domains you’re strong in and where you need to focus your study hours. The Microsoft Azure Certification Fundamentals Boot Camp from Infosec is a thorough but quick one-day training that offers an Exam Pass Guarantee. Choose between a self-paced online, in-person or team on-site training to learn from industry-leading professionals. 

Exam details 

Take a closer look at the Azure AZ-900 exam. 

• Format: Proctored, non-open book exam where multiple-choice and multiple-response questions 
• Duration: 60 minutes 
• Cost: $99 (but may vary based on your location) 
• Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Spanish, German, French, Indonesian (Indonesia), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian 
• Passing Score: 700 out of 1,000 
• Recommended Prerequisites: Not required but ideal to have 3-4 years of IT experience and at least 1-2 years in networking, system admin or cloud-based engineering 
• Content Domains 

The detailed core skills covered in Azure AZ-900 include: 

• Cloud concepts (25–30%) 
• Azure architecture and services (35–40%) 
• Azure management and governance (30–35%) 

Continuous hands-on learning and development are critical to staying ahead of the innovation curve in cloud engineering and computing. This industry changes rapidly, and skills and certifications can quickly become outdated. Plus, consistently improving your knowledge base sets you up for continued promotions and career advancement, allowing you to stand out amongst other highly skilled candidates. 

Salary and compensation trends 

Azure AZ-900 certified professionals can achieve a variety of job titles, such as junior cloud administrator, Azure support engineer or IT support technician. These entry-level support roles assist with basic cloud deployment, standard maintenance and troubleshooting cloud-related issues. Plus, entry-level cloud computing roles have a wide range of starting salaries depending on the exact level of technical expertise or specialization needed. 

Salary ranges and compensation packages can also vary greatly depending on geographic location, industry, experience and any additional certifications. Major metropolitan areas like New York or San Francisco will most likely provide higher salaries and additional compensation for skilled cloud computing experts, while fully remote positions allow you to work anywhere with a lower cost of living. 

For example, a promotion from Junior Cloud Administrator to Cloud Administrator in San Francisco, California, bumps your salary up to $159,238. Moving from entry-level roles toward mid-level positions can quickly increase your salary and compensation, and the Azure AZ-900 certification is critical in making that future jump. 

For more salary information, download our Cybersecurity salary guide: Popular and top-paying certifications and roles. 

Career paths and opportunities 

Opportunities are endless for Azure AZ-900 certified professionals. This certification opens the door to many entry-level positions in cloud computing and allows you to gain several years of valuable experience before moving on to more advanced certifications in Azure or cybersecurity or specializing in an industry, niche or vendor. 

After passing the exam and completing the certification, possible Microsoft Azure AZ-900 roles include a variety of jobs in entry-level cloud administration, cybersecurity and cloud architecture. 

For example, a career path could look like this: 

• Cloud support specialist followed by an Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification to move into an Azure security engineer role or Azure administrator job. 

• Cloud security specialist followed by a security-specific certification like the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) 

A Microsoft Azure AZ-900 career could include emerging roles like DevSecOps engineers, cloud security consultants and cloud compliance specialists, especially within industries like healthcare, finance, government and manufacturing that are experiencing an uptick in sophisticated, damaging cyberattacks. Plus, with a fast-moving field, possible job titles that don't even exist yet could emerge. 

Leverage your Azure AZ-900 certification by prominently displaying it on your resume, build a professional portfolio and network within the Microsoft community or Stack Overflow. 

Future of cloud computing and cybersecurity 

A rise in cloud adoption and migration allows organizations to embrace flexibility, scalability and increased security. More companies are embracing multi-cloud or hybrid cloud strategies to build comprehensive, robust cloud infrastructure with benefits like lower costs and hardware investments, scalable infrastructure, flexible pricing models and more. Plus, edge computing plays a role in the rise of IoT, highlighting the need to manage major workloads closer to the end user. 

However, these exciting innovations also make more sensitive systems vulnerable to sophisticated cybercriminals, allowing organized cybercrime to continue threatening and challenging the online landscape. 

Azure-certified professionals will be critical in developing secure infrastructure and networks for this highly valuable information. As cybercriminals become more advanced, IT professionals need to keep pace to ensure architecture is proactively safe and secure. 

This is why ongoing learning and development are especially critical in these rapidly evolving fields and with new emerging technologies. As you advance in your career, Azure certifications become more difficult but often more important for senior-level management and leadership roles. 

Make the AZ-900 your next career move 

The Azure AZ-900 certification is an excellent choice for entry-level IT professionals looking to build a long-term career in cloud computing and cybersecurity. The Microsoft Azure AZ-900 job outlook features high growth opportunities, significant pay increases and the foundation for a long-term career in an exciting field. 

Plan your next strategic career move in 2024 by obtaining the valuable Azure AZ-900 certification to land your new dream job or climb the corporate ladder at your current organization. Especially looking ahead to the next decade, the Azure AZ-900 certification is a crucial first step in your certification and validation. 

FAQs 

Do you still have questions about the Azure AZ-900 certification? Take a look below. 

Is Azure AZ-900 certification enough to get a job in 2024? 

The Azure AZ-900 certification is highly valuable in advancing your career, but it's probably not enough by itself. The AZ-900 is the most entry-level Azure certification, so it's a starting point to achieve an entry-level role, especially if you have a background in engineering, mathematics or another science-related field. It’s most valuable if you’re looking for a role at a company that is using Microsoft Azure. 

How does Azure AZ-900 certification impact a career in cybersecurity? 

Especially for obtaining that first entry-level position, the Azure AZ-900 is a crucial step in the early years of your career. Not only does it assess and validate your foundational knowledge, but it also gives you a crucial stepping stone for more advanced certifications and higher-level rules. If you have several years of IT experience and are looking to increase your earning potential, the AZ-900 helps grow your career, offering different options and pathways along with the potential to earn more money. 

What are the top-paying Azure jobs in 2024? 

The top-paying Azure jobs in 2024 include the Azure Security Engineer ($152,773 per year), Azure Architects ($158,520 per year) and Azure Data Scientists ($165,000 per year).