AZ-900 vs AZ-104: Azure Cert Path Explained
AZ-900 is Azure's beginner overview. AZ-104 is the real associate admin cert. Here's how to progress without wasting money.
This comparison guide from the KNScert Certification Guides pillar puts AZ-900 (Fundamentals) against AZ-104 (Administrator) on the dimensions that actually matter for a working career - cost, difficulty, target roles, and honest salary bands in Bangladesh, the UAE, and Saudi markets. No vendor spin.
§The verdict, up front
Total beginner: AZ-900 first. Any real IT background: skip straight to AZ-104. AZ-900 is not a prerequisite.
§Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | AZ-900 (Fundamentals) | AZ-104 (Administrator) |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Fundamentals | Associate |
| Length | 45 min | 100 min |
| Cost | USD 99 | USD 165 |
| Difficulty | 3/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Renewal | No expiry | 1 yr free renewal |
§Pick AZ-900 (Fundamentals) when
- Zero cloud experience
- Non-technical stakeholder
- Employer wants any Azure badge
§Pick AZ-104 (Administrator) when
- You already know basic cloud
- You want a hiring-relevant cert
- Time-constrained career-switcher
"Certifications only get your CV read. The interview is won by projects, storytelling, and the problems you can talk through. Use AZ-900 (Fundamentals) or AZ-104 (Administrator) to unlock the door - then show up with real work."
§Salary bands - Dhaka, Dubai, Riyadh and remote
| Role | Location | Salary band |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud admin (AZ-104) | Dhaka | BDT 90k–180k/mo |
| Azure eng | Dubai | AED 16k–30k/mo |
| Junior architect | Riyadh | SAR 15k–26k/mo |
| Remote cloud eng | Global | USD 40–85/hr |
§Best study resources
- John Savill AZ-104 study cram
- MS Learn free modules
- Tim Warner Pluralsight
- Tutorial Dojo mock exams
§Final take
AZ-900 (Fundamentals) vs AZ-104 (Administrator) is rarely 'winner-take-all' - the right pick depends on your local market, your target role, and where your existing experience lands you today. Use the pick-when lists above, look at 10 real job ads in your city, and let those two data points decide. Both paths pay, and both can be sequenced together over 12–18 months.
Certified practitioner and lead curriculum architect at KNScert. Writes about cert strategy, exam tactics, and the real-world skills employers actually pay for.
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