By Quick answer: Which DevOps certifications get you hired in 2027?
- Platform roles — CKA ($445, hands-on).
- Infrastructure roles — Terraform Associate.
- Aws devops — AWS SAA ($150).
- Azure devops — Azure AZ-104.
Key takeaways
- Match the certification to the job title.
- Use exact names on your résumé.
- Bring proof of work to interviews.
Devops job posts name certain credentials and tools. These five match them most closely.
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 | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Linux Foundation / CNCF | $4451 | 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam | Free test |
| 2 | HashiCorp Certified: Terraform AssociateHashiCorp | Check the official page2 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1503 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country4 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 5 | Google Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud | $1255 | 2 hours, multiple choice | 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.)
- Kubernetes CKA & CKAD Practice ExamPractise for Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) before you pay.Start free test →
- Terraform Associate Practice ExamPractise for HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- 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 →
Each certification, and the job post it matches
- Linux FoundationCertified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Platform roles$445
- HashiCorpHashiCorp Certified: Terraform AssociateInfrastructure rolesCheck the official page
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAWS DevOps$150
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Cost
- $4451
- Format
- 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam
CKA ($445, hands-on). 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 roles
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- Cost
- Check the official page2
Terraform Associate. 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 roles
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1503
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
AWS SAA ($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 forAWS DevOps
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country4
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure AZ-104. 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 DevOps
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- Cost
- $1255
- Format
- 2 hours, multiple choice
Google Cloud ACE ($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 DevOps
Résumé checklist
- Exact names — as the issuer writes them.
- Tools — named plainly.
- One result — with a number.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications that match job-post requirements. Fees from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which DevOps certification is best for jobs?
CKA ($445, hands-on) for most roles.
Can freshers get hired with these?
With projects, yes for entry roles.
How many do I need?
One or two plus proof of work.
Do employers check?
Many verify; include credential links.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests.
Sources
- Linux Foundation — Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- HashiCorp — HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- 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)
- 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 DevOps 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 cloud computing certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones cloud job posts nameThe top 5 cloud certifications to get hired in 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, CKA and Terraform, matched to job titles.
- 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 networking certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones job posts nameThe top 5 networking certifications to get hired in 2027: CCNA, Network+, Security+, AWS Solutions Architect and Azure AZ-104.
- 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.
- 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 top 10 certifications for software engineers in 2027: cloud, platform, security and AIThe top 10 certifications for software engineers in 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, CKA, Terraform, AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, AI-102, AWS ML Engineer and more.
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