Is AZ-900 worth it? Yes, the AZ-900 certification is worth it for career starters, career changers, and non-technical professionals in 2025. With a $99 cost and 2-4 weeks study time, it delivers strong ROI through 7-25% salary increases, improved job prospects, and foundational cloud knowledge that opens doors to higher-paying Azure certifications.
However, experienced Azure professionals should skip directly to AZ-104. This comprehensive analysis breaks down real salary data, ROI calculations, and career impact to help you make an informed decision.
TL;DR: Is AZ-900 Worth It?
Worth It For:
- ✓ Career starters entering IT/cloud computing
- ✓ Career changers from non-technical backgrounds
- ✓ Business professionals working with Azure teams
- ✓ Stepping stone to role-based Azure certifications
- ✓ Demonstrating cloud literacy to employers
NOT Worth It For:
- ✗ Experienced Azure administrators (go straight to AZ-104)
- ✗ Expecting it alone to land technical jobs
- ✗ If you're AWS-focused (get AWS Cloud Practitioner instead)
- ✗ Looking for immediate salary jump without other credentials
Bottom Line:
AZ-900 is worth it as a foundation-builder, not a career magic bullet. It costs $99, requires 2-4 weeks of study, and offers strong ROI when used as the first step in a cloud career path. Don't expect it to transform your career overnight, but it's a solid, affordable start.
Next steps: Start with free practice questions, then review our complete study guide to prepare efficiently.
What Exactly Is AZ-900?
Before analyzing value, let's establish what you're actually getting.
The Basics
- Official name: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Level: Entry-level, foundational
- Cost: $99 USD
- Exam duration: 45 minutes
- Prerequisites: None
- Expiration: Does not expire
What It Covers
Three main domains:
- Cloud Concepts (25-30%): Cloud models, CapEx vs OpEx, scalability
- Azure Services (35-40%): Core services, when to use what
- Management & Governance (30-35%): Security, compliance, cost management
It's designed to prove you understand cloud fundamentals and basic Azure services—not that you can architect complex solutions or troubleshoot production issues. Want to prepare? Check our complete AZ-900 study guide.
Career Benefits: Who Actually Benefits?
The value of AZ-900 depends heavily on your current position and goals.
Career Starters
Scenario: Recent graduates or entry-level IT professionals
Value: HIGH
- ✓ Demonstrates initiative and cloud interest on resume
- ✓ Builds vocabulary to speak intelligently in interviews
- ✓ Opens doors to junior cloud support roles
- ✓ Foundation for advanced certifications (AZ-104, AZ-305)
Career Changers
Scenario: Switching from non-tech fields to cloud/IT
Value: VERY HIGH
- ✓ Low barrier to entry (no prerequisites)
- ✓ Proves you're serious about the career change
- ✓ Provides structured learning path for cloud concepts
- ✓ Affordable way to test if cloud career is right for you
Non-Technical Professionals
Scenario: Project managers, sales, business analysts
Value: MEDIUM-HIGH
- ✓ Speak same language as technical teams
- ✓ Better understand cloud projects and pricing
- ✓ Valuable for Azure sales, pre-sales, or consulting roles
- ✓ Shows commitment to understanding company's cloud strategy
Experienced IT Professionals
Scenario: System admins, network engineers with years of experience
Value: LOW-MEDIUM
- ✓ Quick validation of cloud knowledge
- ✓ Prerequisite for some company training programs
- ⚠ Consider skipping to AZ-104 or AZ-305 instead
- ⚠ May feel too basic if you have Azure experience
Ready to Get Started?
Try free practice questions to see if AZ-900 is the right fit for your career goals.
Salary Impact: Real Numbers
Let's address the question everyone asks: will this certification increase my salary?
Reality Check:
AZ-900 alone rarely results in immediate salary increases. However, it positions you for roles and career paths that lead to higher earnings.
Salary Data Breakdown (2025 Market Data)
Entry-Level IT Professional (0-2 years experience)
Without AZ-900: $45,000 - $55,000
With AZ-900: $48,000 - $60,000
Potential increase: 7-12%
Data based on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed salary surveys 2024-2025
Mid-Level IT (3-5 years)
Without certifications: $60,000 - $75,000
With AZ-900 + role-based cert: $70,000 - $90,000
Potential increase: 10-20% (combined)
Career Changers
Previous field: $40,000 - $50,000
Cloud support role (with AZ-900): $50,000 - $65,000
Potential increase: 15-25%
What Actually Drives Salary Increases
- 1.Combination with experience: AZ-900 + 1 year hands-on Azure work is more valuable than either alone
- 2.Stacking certifications: AZ-900 → AZ-104 → AZ-305 creates clearest path to 6-figure salaries
- 3.Role transitions: Using cert to move from help desk to cloud support shows bigger gains
- 4.Geographic location: Azure skills command premiums in major tech hubs
ROI Analysis: Breaking Down the Math
Let's calculate the actual return on investment.
Total Investment
Potential Returns
Scenario 1: Entry-Level Professional
Salary increase from $50K to $54K (8% bump)
Annual return: $4,000
ROI: 430% in year one
Scenario 2: Career Changer
Land cloud support role at $55K (from $45K non-tech job)
Annual return: $10,000
ROI: 1,000%+ in year one
Scenario 3: Stepping Stone Path
AZ-900 → AZ-104 → Azure admin role at $75K
Long-term value: $15,000-25,000/year increase
AZ-900 as foundation: Priceless for this path
Bottom Line on ROI:
If AZ-900 helps you get a job, promotion, or raise worth even $2,000 more annually, you've doubled your investment in year one. Most candidates see returns far exceeding this. Ready to start? Try 40 free practice questions to test your readiness.
Job Market Reality Check
What do employers actually think about AZ-900?
Job Postings Analysis
Analysis of job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor) reveals:
- • 12,000+ jobs mention "Azure" in requirements
- • ~800 jobs specifically list AZ-900 as preferred/required
- • Most common roles: Cloud support, technical account manager, solutions architect (junior)
- • Salary range: $50K - $85K for AZ-900-preferred roles
Employer Perspective
What AZ-900 signals to employers:
- ✓ Candidate is motivated and takes initiative
- ✓ Has basic cloud vocabulary and concepts
- ✓ Interested in cloud career path
- ✓ Can commit to structured learning
What AZ-900 does NOT signal:
- ⚠ Hands-on Azure experience
- ⚠ Ability to troubleshoot production issues
- ⚠ Ready for mid-level or senior roles
- ⚠ Deep technical expertise
When AZ-900 IS Worth It (Get It)
1. You're New to Cloud/IT
No better entry point exists. AZ-900 teaches fundamentals without overwhelming you. Perfect first certification for cloud careers.
2. You're Changing Careers
Shows employers you're serious. Provides structured learning. Low cost to test if cloud is right for you before investing in bootcamps or degrees.
3. Your Company Uses Azure
Internal mobility opportunities often prefer or require Azure certifications. Understanding your company's cloud platform makes you more valuable.
4. You're Building Certification Stack
Planning to get AZ-104, AZ-305, or specialty certs? AZ-900 builds essential foundation. Makes advanced exams significantly easier.
5. Non-Technical Role with Tech Teams
Project managers, business analysts, sales engineers benefit from understanding cloud concepts and Azure terminology.
6. Your Employer Pays For It
If company covers exam cost and study time, this is a no-brainer. Zero financial risk, pure upside for your resume.
When AZ-900 ISN'T Worth It (Skip It)
1. You Have 1+ Years Azure Experience
Go straight to AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate). AZ-900 will feel painfully basic. Don't waste time on fundamentals you already know.
2. You're Focused on AWS or GCP
Get the equivalent certification for your cloud platform instead. AWS Cloud Practitioner or Google Cloud Digital Leader make more sense.
3. You Expect Immediate Job Offers
AZ-900 alone rarely gets you hired. If you need a job NOW, invest time in building portfolio projects, networking, or learning job-specific skills instead.
4. You Want Deep Technical Skills
AZ-900 is conceptual, not hands-on. If you want to build real Azure infrastructure, spend those study hours doing hands-on labs instead.
5. You're Only Getting It For "Resume Padding"
Employers see through this. If you have no interest in cloud and won't use the knowledge, your time is better spent elsewhere.
AZ-900 Alternatives: Azure vs AWS vs CompTIA Certifications
If you're unsure about AZ-900, or wondering how it compares to other entry-level cloud certifications, consider these alternatives based on your career path and cloud platform preference:
AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate
Better if: You have 6+ months Azure experience, want hands-on skills
More valuable on resume, demonstrates practical ability, better salary impact. Harder exam but worth skipping AZ-900 if you have the background.
AWS Cloud Practitioner
Better if: Your target jobs use AWS instead of Azure
Similar level and format to AZ-900. AWS has larger market share, so more job opportunities overall (though Azure is growing faster).
CompTIA Cloud+
Better if: You want vendor-neutral cloud knowledge
Covers AWS, Azure, and GCP. More expensive ($348) and harder, but shows broader cloud understanding.
Hands-On Projects Instead
Better if: You learn by doing and want portfolio projects
Use free Azure account to build real projects. Can be more impressive to employers than certification alone. Combine with AZ-900 for best results.
Common Questions
Is AZ-900 certification worth it in 2025?
Yes, for career starters, career changers, and non-technical professionals. It costs $99, takes 2-4 weeks to prepare, and offers strong ROI through cloud literacy, career advancement, and salary increases averaging 7-15%.
Does AZ-900 increase salary?
Yes. Entry-level IT professionals see 7-12% salary increases after AZ-900. Career changers report 15-25% increases when combined with Azure role-based certifications. The certification demonstrates cloud competency to employers.
Can I get a job with just AZ-900?
AZ-900 alone rarely qualifies you for technical roles. However, it significantly strengthens applications for cloud support, sales engineer, project coordinator, and business analyst positions. Combine it with experience or role-based certifications for better results.
Should I get AZ-900 or go straight to AZ-104?
Get AZ-900 first if you have less than 6 months Azure experience or are new to cloud computing. Skip directly to AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate) if you have 1+ years hands-on Azure experience. AZ-900 builds essential foundation knowledge that makes AZ-104 significantly easier to pass and prepares you for the associate-level exam's technical depth.
How long is AZ-900 valid?
AZ-900 does not expire. Once you pass, the certification is valid indefinitely. This differs from role-based certifications (like AZ-104) which must be renewed annually.
Is AZ-900 worth it without IT experience?
Absolutely. AZ-900 is designed for beginners with no IT background. It's an excellent starting point for career changers and proves you're committed to learning cloud technologies.
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