By Quick answer: Which cloud certifications get you hired in 2027?
- Cloud engineer — AWS SAA ($150).
- Azure administrator — AZ-104.
- Google Cloud engineer — ACE ($125).
- DevOps and platform — CKA ($445) plus Terraform.
Key takeaways
- Match the certification to the provider named in the job post.
- Write exact names: 'AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate'.
- A public Terraform repo backs up any cloud certification in interviews.
Cloud job posts name providers and tools: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Kubernetes, Terraform. The certifications that help you get hired are the ones that prove those names with a proctored or hands-on exam. These five cover the main cloud job titles, and the table shows which post each one matches.
The top 5 at a glance
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1501 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 3 | Google Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud | $1253 | 2 hours, multiple choice | Free test |
| 4 | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Linux Foundation / CNCF | $4454 | 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam | Free test |
| 5 | HashiCorp Certified: Terraform AssociateHashiCorp | Check the official page5 | Check issuer | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
- Google Associate Cloud Engineer Practice ExamPractise for Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer before you pay.Start free test →
- Kubernetes CKA & CKAD Practice ExamPractise for Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the job post it matches
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateCloud engineer and architect roles$150
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Azure administrator rolesExam priced by country
- Google CloudGoogle Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud engineer roles$125
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1501
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
The cloud credential most often seen in engineer and architect posts. 130 minutes, 65 questions, $150. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud engineer and architect roles
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Matches Azure administrator and cloud support roles in Microsoft-based companies. Free online renewal every 12 months. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forAzure administrator roles
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- Cost
- $1253
- Format
- 2 hours, multiple choice
Matches Google Cloud engineer roles. A practical, two-hour exam at $125. Google Cloud's associate exam tests deploying, monitoring and managing projects on Google Cloud. It's two hours, costs $125 and rewards hands-on practice with the console and command line.
Best forGoogle Cloud engineer roles
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Cost
- $4454
- Format
- 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam
Matches platform engineering, SRE and DevOps posts that list Kubernetes. A hands-on exam in a live cluster. The Linux Foundation's Certified Kubernetes Administrator is a two-hour, performance-based exam taken in a live cluster. It costs $445 including one free retake and is respected because it tests real hands-on skill.
Best forplatform, SRE and DevOps roles
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- Cost
- Check the official page5
Matches posts that list infrastructure as code. Terraform works across all three clouds. HashiCorp's associate exam proves infrastructure-as-code skills with Terraform, which works across AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. It suits DevOps and cloud engineers; check HashiCorp's page for the current fee.
Best forinfrastructure-as-code roles
Résumé lines that pass cloud screens
- Exact certification names — and the year earned.
- Services by name — EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, AKS or GKE.
- One project line — 'Deployed a three-tier app on AWS with Terraform and GitHub Actions'.
- A link — to the repo.
How we ranked these picks
We chose the cloud certifications that match the provider and tool names most often found in cloud job posts, each with a proctored or hands-on exam. Fees and formats come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which cloud certification is best for getting a job?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate for most cloud engineer roles; Azure AZ-104 if the employer runs Microsoft.
Can a fresher get a cloud job with certification?
Yes, especially with an associate certification plus a deployed project. Cloud support and junior DevOps roles hire freshers.
Is CKA worth it for cloud jobs?
Yes, for platform, SRE and DevOps roles that use Kubernetes. Take a cloud associate exam first if you're new.
How many cloud certifications do I need?
One associate exam plus a project is enough to start. Add Kubernetes or Terraform as you specialise.
Is there a free cloud practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free AWS, Azure and Google Cloud practice tests with instant results.
Sources
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Linux Foundation — Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- HashiCorp — HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best Cloud Computing Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 DevOps certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones job posts nameThe top 5 DevOps certifications to get hired in 2027: CKA, Terraform, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104 and Google Cloud ACE.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 IT certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones IT job posts nameThe top 5 IT certifications to get hired in 2027: CompTIA A+, Security+, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104 and Cisco CCNA, matched to IT job titles.
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best cloud computing certifications of 2027: ten across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and KubernetesThe 10 best cloud certifications of 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, CKA, Terraform and more, with verified exam fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best DevOps certifications of 2027: eight for cloud, containers, automation and deliveryThe 8 best DevOps certifications of 2027: CKA, Terraform, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, ITIL 4, PSM I and AWS Cloud Practitioner.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 cybersecurity certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones security job posts nameThe top 5 cybersecurity certifications to get hired in 2027: CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH, ISC2 CC and CISM, matched to security job titles.
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