Ultimate Guide to the AWS Developer Associate Certification in 2023
By Alex • Updated Jan 3, 2023
Overview | Exam Guide | Courses | Practice Exams
About: What is the AWS Developer Associate certification?
The AWS Developer Associate Certification is a cloud certification offered by AWS that “validates the ability to write and deploy cloud-based applications” (source).
Jobs: Which jobs can you get with an AWS Developer Associate certification?
According to Credly, there are 1,622 job openings related to the AWS Developer Associate certification in the US alone. The 5 job titles with the most openings are:
- Manager Data Engineering: 131 job postings
- Build Release Engineer: 96 job postings
- Cloud Engineer: 88 job postings
- Senior Data Engineer: 80 job postings
- DevOps Cloud Engineer: 79 job postings
Salary: Which salary can you expect with an AWS Developer Associate certification?
In 2022, the average salary for an AWS Developer in the United States is $132,475 per year (source: ZipRecruiter).
The majority of salaries currently range between $114,000 (25th percentile) to $151,500 (75th percentile).
Requirements: What are the requirements for the AWS Developer Associate certification?
There are no hard requirements that professionals need to fulfill in order to take the exam and become certified. However, AWS recommends that professionals have the following experience:
- In-depth knowledge of at least one high-level programming language
- Understanding of core AWS services, uses of the services, and basic AWS architecture best practices, including the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, application lifecycle management, and the use of containers in the development process
- Proficiency in developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS and writing code for serverless applications
- Ability to identify key features of AWS services and use the AWS service APIs, AWS CLI, and SDKs to write applications
- Ability to apply a basic understanding of cloud-native applications to write code
- Ability to author, maintain, and debug code modules on AWS
Cost: How much does the AWS Developer Associate certification cost?
The certification exam costs 150 USD. This does not include potential costs for study materials such as online courses and practice exams.
Recertification: How long is the certification valid & how can it be renewed?
AWS certifications are valid for three years. To maintain your AWS Certified status, AWS requires you to periodically demonstrate your continued expertise through a process called recertification (source).
In order to get recertified for the AWS Developer Associate certification you have 2 options:
- Option 1: Retake the AWS Certified Developer - Associate exam
- Option 2: Pass any Professional-level AWS certification
FAQs
Who is the AWS Developer - Associate certification for?
The AWS Developer - Associate certification is for developers who have one or more years of experience designing, building, and maintaining an application on AWS.
Is the AWS Developer - Associate certification worth it?
Yes, the AWS Developer - Associate certification is worth it.
It demonstrates to employers that you have a strong understanding of AWS services and can design, build, and maintain applications on the platform.
It can also lead to higher salaries and better job opportunities.
How can you get the AWS Developer - Associate certification?
To get the AWS Developer - Associate certification, you must pass the AWS Developer - Associate exam.
This exam can be taken at a testing center or online.
Before taking the exam, it is recommended to have hands-on experience designing and building applications on AWS and to study using online courses and practice exams.
What are the benefits of obtaining the AWS Developer - Associate certification?
The benefits of obtaining the AWS Developer - Associate certification include: demonstrating to employers your proficiency in designing, building, and maintaining applications on AWS, potentially leading to higher salaries and better job opportunities, and staying current with the latest AWS services and best practices.
How difficult is it to obtain the AWS Developer - Associate certification?
The difficulty of obtaining the AWS Developer - Associate certification varies depending on your level of experience and preparation.
It is recommended to have hands-on experience designing and building applications on AWS and to study using online courses and practice exams before taking the exam.
How long does it take to get the AWS Developer - Associate certification?
The time it takes to get the AWS Developer - Associate certification depends on your study schedule and level of experience. On average, it can take several weeks or months to study and prepare for the exam.
What are the best AWS Developer - Associate certification alternatives?
Alternative certifications to the AWS Certified Developer - Associate include:
- Microsoft Azure Developer Associate
- Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Developer 2020 Associate
- IBM Certified Developer - IBM Cloud
- Alibaba Cloud Certified Developer - Associate
These certifications demonstrate a developer's knowledge and skill in developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using services provided by different cloud providers.
Conclusion
The AWS Developer Associate certification is a valuable asset for developers looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS services.
It opens up job opportunities with an average salary of $132,475 per year in the US. The certification exam is reasonably priced and is valid for three years.
With the right amount of preparation, this certification can be a valuable addition to your resume and career.