Landscape to becoming Microsoft certified gives you several different paths to choose from, depending on your job requirements. And while they may seem attractive, the question remains, are Microsoft certifications really worth it?
Microsoft Certificates will get your resume recognized by HR and will help get you through the door. Microsoft Azure certs, in particular, are highly sought after and will let the company know that at least you have a minimum of knowledge for that job position.
Certificates validate your skill and give certain assurance to the hiring manager. Most Microsoft certs are beneficial, and Azure ones especially, even more than Google’s GCP certificates.
What’s more, if the company uses Azure or AWS, then Microsoft Azure certificates are worth it regardless of what kind of cloud provider it is, AWS or Azure or some other. Getting a Microsoft certification verifies that your experience is transferrable to industry knowledge, not just your company.
Table Of Contents show
Can Microsoft Certifications Get You a Job?
Since having a Microsoft certificate grants a certain assurance of minimum knowledge to an employer, it most certainly can get you a job, especially for an entry-level position. For some job positions, it’s a requirement and often discussed during an interview.
Azure certificates are highly sought after, more so if you can back up the skills. Additionally, getting Microsoft certified can get you some prestige with your management, which you can use to prove that you deserve a raise.
Recruiters love to see Microsoft certifications, especially the Azure ones.
This is especially true on LinkedIn. You may want to post your certs on LinkedIn to look more attractive to other prospective recruiters, which can land you a job. Certain other certificates are especially attractive to recruiters on LinkedIn, such as an AWS Certification and GCP. Doing this will almost certainly increase the number of opportunities you’re presented with, and the number of offers you get.
Additionally, getting a Microsoft cert makes it easier to change career paths. For example, if you get an AZ-400 certificate, then you can generally transition into a DevOps role at many companies. Azure certificates are highly sought after.
When it comes to getting into the Azure cloud, you also need some actual experience to start working in this field. For a junior-level position, if you can set up a personal project and document your technique via a git repository, you will stand out in the sea of potential applicants.
Having a certificate is a plus, but the most important thing a hiring manager will look for in an applicant is experience in the field, and this will give you some.
Where to Start With Microsoft Certifications?
Generally, the best place to start with Microsoft certs is with AZ-900 (Azure fundamentals), MS-900 (Microsoft 365 Fundamentals), AZ-104 (Azure Administrator), and SC-900 (SCI). These are highly sought after, and teach you the fundamentals for different career paths.
You don’t even need to take the certs, just learn from the modules and then at the end decide where you want to go, depending on your job requirements. You can even branch out to the rest of computer science, by checking out which computer science certifications are worth it.
Highly recommended to check out this landscape to become Microsoft Certified, which gives an overview of all the available Microsoft certificates you can get.
How to Get Get Microsoft Certified?
Generally, Microsoft Learn is sufficient (plus free) to get your Microsoft certs. Additionally, most employers offer some kind of reimbursement to get a certificate. If they’re Microsoft partners, then they may get a certain number of certs per year, which you can take.
Ask your HR person or MS partner contact to figure out if you can get any of the Microsoft certificates from your company.
Another great way to learn about Azure/M365 is John Savill’s content on YouTube. The AZ-900 video is pretty good:
How Hard Is It to Get Microsoft Certified?
Depending on your skills and hands-on experience, getting Microsoft Certified is generally harder than it seems, especially for Azure Certifications. If you don’t have any cloud background, it will be harder than you think.
All Azure certificates require some prior familiarity with the platform. As far as other paths go, such as 365, Power Platform certificates, or Security certs, they are usually harder than they seem, regardless of your experience.
One of the easiest Microsoft certificates to get is AZ-900, which is an entry-level certificate teaching you fundamentals in the Azure cloud. This is a highly useful certificate and is generally recommended as an entry-level cert.
How Long Does It Take To Get Microsoft Certified?
The scope for most of the Azure certs is broad, and even with experience, you’ll need 2-3 months on average per Azure certificate. As far as other paths/roles go, the timeframe is similar of at least 2 months per certificate.
Typically, completing AZ-900 takes about two months for a novice and the same with AZ-104. With some experience, you can complete AZ-305 in 2 to 3 months. In general, the time it takes for you to learn will depend on your skill and experience, and the type of certificate you’re pursuing.
How Long Does a Microsoft Certification Last?
Microsoft role-based Certificates and specialty certifications are valid for one year from the date that you complete all the requirements to earn that certification. Microsoft fundamentals certifications do not expire, and it’s the same with MOS, MTA, and MCE.
For those that do expire, you need to renew the certification with a test on Microsoft Learn for free before your certification expires. If it expires, you won’t be able to renew it but will need to re-earn the certification by having to pass the exams again.
This isn’t so bad when you think about it. You can renew certs for free, and if you fail, study the areas you missed and take the test the next day. Microsoft has made it simple and cost-effective.
If you’re wondering what the renewal is like, it’s just a quiz via Microsoft Learn, with the same style of questions as the standard exam. The difficulty is about the same if not a bit easier.
Here’s a good video on the experience with Azure Certification Renewal:
Is Microsoft 365 Certification Worth It?
There are several great 365 certs to pursue, not only because there are jobs that want employees who specialize in Microsoft 365, but also because some certification exams require knowledge in other areas, such as Azure AD, which is a valuable skill.
A couple of M365 certs are highly useful, such as MD-100 (Windows), MD-101 (Managing Modern Desktops), MS-100 (Identity and Services), MS-101 (Mobility and Security).
You can choose your path and go for what’s relevant to you so you don’t have to do all of these, but specialize in a certain role.
Some certs, such as Microsoft 365 Security Administrator Associate Certificate focus heavily on security and compliance in an Office 365 environment. If you’re going towards a security admin role, this certificate is definitely worth it, but only if your company has the appropriate M365 enterprise and Azure licenses.
Is Microsoft Azure Certification Worth It?
Azure skills are highly sought after, and getting an Azure certification is generally recommended because it’s considered to be at the level of AWS and GCP certificates. All very popular, all generally recommended, and definitely worth it.
They can also be mandatory for some positions, or a plus on your resume depending on what you’re pursuing to do.
Some Azure certs are more in demand than others, but they can all help you in your career. For example, AZ-104 is probably the Azure certification that is most demanded if you’re trying to move in the Azure cloud towards a sysadmin role, while AZ-900 (Fundamentals) is best for those new to the cloud platform and will get you familiar with some terminology.
Both of these are well-known certs and are generally recognized as a positive bonus. AZ-900 can also help you articulate the basics of Azure from a commercial perspective.
But what gets you the job is mostly experiences, not the certs. These are just the bonus. If you can deploy a simple solution, document it on Github, and mention it during an interview (or in your resume), then you’ll have a much higher chance of getting contacted afterward, passing to another round of an interview, or even landing a job.
And if you’re worried that you have an Azure cert while moving into a company where they use AWS or vice-versa, you shouldn’t worry because they’re all a similar set of tools. Fundamentally, if you can drive one cloud provider it’s just a matter of terminology and familiarity to get up to speed with another.
Is Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Worth It?
Being one of the most widely used computer application suites in the world, this is a good cert to get, especially if you lack job experience, or if you’re teaching Office.
A resume that claimed competence in Microsoft Office could mean a lot of things, but having a proper certification on it tells the hiring manager that at least you meet a certain minimum. The certificate can also get you some legitimacy if you’re looking for clients, in regards to the Office 365 suite.
However, what’s far more important is the knowledge and skills you’ll gain regarding the O356 stack while doing the course, so keep that in mind.
Is Microsoft Power BI Certification Worth It?
Getting a Power BI Cert such as a DA-100 (now called PL-300) is very useful to a novice to learn some fundamentals. In addition to that, the average salary for a skill of Power BI is quite high, so this cert is almost certainly worth it, especially for a beginner.
The module PL-300 goes through a wide range of topics, but only on the surface, so keep that in mind. If you’re a beginner, it may take you 2-3 weeks of studying.
Hands-on experience plays a major role in your ability to pass this exam, which for experienced people shouldn’t be difficult. Once you finish the exam, you’ll get your results instantly. If you passed, you get your Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate Certification.
The average salary for the skill of Power BI is about $100k in the US, according to Radacad and ZipRecruiter. Therefore, it’s not a bad skill to learn and have in this day from a monetary standpoint. The price of the certification is $165.
Is It Worth Getting Excel Certified?
Getting Excel certified isn’t very expensive or hugely time-consuming, but whether you’ll benefit from it will depend on two factors: whether the job requires an Excel expert, and whether you’re just starting out your career.
Excel certificate is great for junior roles, where no one has anything much to set them apart. A hiring manager will recommend this for anyone just setting out in their career, but not so much if you’re an accountant veteran.
Therefore, if the job requires an Excel expert, some employers will care whether you simply wrote “excel expert” on your resume, compared to actually having a proper Excel certificate.
How much do Excel experts earn?
According to Zip Recruiter, Excel experts earn about $47,621 on average in the US, with the highest paying cities being San Jose and Oakland, California. It’s not the highest paying job, but it’s still a job worth pursuing, and the skill used almost everywhere.
Is getting Excel certification hard?
Getting an Excel certification doesn’t take a lot of effort for most people, while on the other hand, it may bring you a few more interviews simply because of the cert. And, once you’re good at it, excel can be fun and much easier to learn.
What is the highest paid Microsoft Certification?
According to ZipRecruiter, the highest-paid Microsoft certification is Expert in Azure Solutions Architecture, with an average salary for Azure solutions architect in the US of $145,472 a year, or about $70 an hour.
Since there are about 15 MS certs that have been retired a few years ago, the 2nd highest right now appears to be Azure Administrator Associate, with Global Knowledge reports the average salary being $121,420.
Final thoughts
Don’t just pursue certifications, no matter how attractive they may seem. Try to pursue actual professional experience, as it’s much more valuable. If you can’t get any, try to do a few projects as you’re pursuing certificates, and document them. You can mention this during an interview or in an application for a job to raise your chances of landing that dream job of yours. Learn what you need first, and get certificates only as a bonus. Good luck!
Alex Mitch
Hi, I'm the founder of HowMonk.com! Having been in finance and tech for 10+ years, I was surprised at how hard it can be to find answers to common questions in finance, tech and business in general. Because of this, I decided to create this website to help others!
View all posts
FAQs
Is IT worth IT to get Microsoft certifications? ›
Get Promoted and Boost Your Salary
If you're after a promotion or a bigger paycheck, Microsoft certifications can help you get there. In the CompTIA study, 88 percent of employers said that IT-certified employees are rewarded (bonus and pay increase) for obtaining IT certifications.
Microsoft certifications, in particular, are valuable in the IT industry because they are highly recognized and respected. Plus, there is a wide range of certification exams to choose from – all designed for different levels of expertise in various fields.
Is Microsoft Certification exam tough? ›Microsoft certification exams can be extremely challenging to pass. Study material is often very dense and difficult to make sense of.
What percentage do you need to pass Microsoft exam? ›A passing score is 700 or greater. As this is a scaled score, it may not equal 70% of the points. A passing score is based on the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate competence as well as the difficulty of the questions.
Should I put Microsoft Certification on resume? ›Yep! As long as the certifications are relevant to the job, you should include them on your resume. Online certifications can especially help you if you're a recent graduate with not a lot of work experience. 2.
Can Microsoft certifications get you a job? ›Having a Microsoft Certification on your resume may show your expertise to employers, helping you find a new job, but it may also help you advance your career with your current employer. These qualifications may better qualify you for a promotion or give you support when negotiating your salary .
Why are most Microsoft certifications retired? ›Why certifications get retired. Technology and associated job roles change faster every year. To keep our certification program relevant, we continually review our exams and certifications to ensure they reflect the latest skills and Microsoft technologies and retire those that are no longer relevant.
What is the hardest Microsoft Certification to get? ›1. Azure Solutions Architect Expert. Earning the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification and taking down its two demanding certification exams is one of the most challenging feats in cloud certs.
What is the average salary for a Microsoft Certified Professional? ›| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $148,500 | $12,375 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,000 | $10,333 |
| Average | $100,476 | $8,373 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,500 | $6,041 |
You'll find plenty of study playlists available! Give yourself a time budget, an estimate on how much time you think you will need to be exam ready. I roughly estimated I'd need at least 30 hours of study minimum, with really 40 to 50 hours all together to be more confident.
How many hours to study for Microsoft certification? ›
How Long Does It Take to Get Certified? Prep time for the exams depends on your current understanding of Office and how quickly you can learn new features. For each application and exam, Microsoft recommends around 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience. MOS exams take 50 minutes.
How many times can you fail a Microsoft exam? ›Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exam retake policy
You may not take a given exam more than five (5) times within a 12-month period from the first attempt. If you failed the exam 5 times, you'll be eligible to retake it again 12 months from the date of your first attempt.
It is well known that Microsoft Certifications are highly valued and therefore passing the exam is not very easy. Your preparations require a lot of extra effort, hard work, and dedication. The course is quite vast and you need to be thorough with the exam concepts.
How long do Microsoft exams take? ›...
Exam duration.
| Exam type | Exam duration* | Seat duration* |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals exams | 45 minutes | 65 minutes |
| Associate and expert role-based exams without labs** | 100 minutes | 120 minutes |
Certifications earned prior to June 30, 2021 @12am GMT (June 29, 2021 @5pm PT) are valid for two (2) years from the date that all requirements for the certification are completed. Certifications earned after this date and time are valid for one (1) year.
Do Microsoft certs matter? ›Compared to their peers, Microsoft-certified developers are 90 percent more productive and nearly 60 percent more efficient.
How do I say I am proficient in Microsoft Office? ›- Page setup.
- Comparing and merging documents.
- Creating forms using fields and advanced tools.
- Creating and using templates.
- Sharing and protecting documents.
- Tracking changes.
- Creating labels.
- Formatting tables.
- Information technology (IT) certifications. ...
- Human resources certifications. ...
- Language certifications. ...
- First aid certifications. ...
- Project management certifications. ...
- Software certifications. ...
- Government certifications. ...
- Notary public certification.
1. AZ-305 Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. According to the Global Knowledge 2021 IT Skills and Salary Survey, this is one of the highest-paying certifications. Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AZ-305, is an expert-level certification.
What is the lowest Microsoft certification? ›Level 1: Fundamentals (MTA)
How much do Microsoft Certified Solutions Associates make? ›
For example Microsoft MCSE jobs pay as much as $20,836 (26.2%) more than the average MCSA salary of $79,640.
Is Microsoft changing Microsoft Office after 30 years? ›The software giant introduced Microsoft 365 – a new name and space for its go-to productivity suite Microsoft Office. The change in moniker comes after almost 30 years after its launch on November 19, 1990.
Which Microsoft certification is best for beginners? ›The best certification for beginners and one of the top Microsoft certifications is AZ 900: Microsoft Azure Fundamental. There are no prerequisites, and the course covers the fundamentals of cloud and Azure.
What did Microsoft retire after 27 years? ›After 27 years, Microsoft has retired Internet Explorer : NPR. After 27 years, Microsoft has retired Internet Explorer Internet Explorer officially retires Thursday. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Margaret O'Mara, professor at the University of Washington, about the embattled web browser's long history.
What is the salary of MS 900? ›You can receive an average salary of approximately $54,720 per year, as mentioned by PayScale.com.
Which Microsoft certification has no expiration? ›These are the categories of Microsoft certifications that do not expire: MOS, MTA, MCSA, MCSD, MCSE, and MCE certifications.
What is the easiest computer certifications to get? ›CompTIA A+ Certification
Sometimes referred to as the “entry-level rite of passage for IT technicians,” the CompTIA A+ certificate is a great starting point for anyone looking to enter the IT field. The A+ certification covers a broad range of topics, including hardware, networking, and troubleshooting.
What is the minimum salary in Microsoft Corporation? Minimum salary at Microsoft Corporation depends on the role you are applying for. For Technical Support Engineer the minimum salary is ₹16.8 Lakhs per year, for Support Engineer the minimum salary is ₹18.6 Lakhs per year and so on.
Is Microsoft salary negotiable? ›Microsoft Base Salary
Microsoft is often only slightly lower on base salary relative to FAANG companies. It is possible to negotiate this component, but the increase will typically be smaller than equity and signing bonus increases. Base salary at Microsoft is paid bi-weekly in the United States.
Certifications expire after one year to ensure that tech professionals keep skills up-to-date with evolving technology. Can I renew my certification by passing a beta exam or by retaking an exam before my certification expires? No.
How long does IT take to pass MS 900? ›
Depending on your experience, preparing for the MS-900 certification exam should take an estimated 20-40 hours of study time. After you confirm your strength areas, determine how much time you want to spend per day on preparation and studying areas where you need the most work.
How long does IT take to master Microsoft? ›But there is more to Office 365 for an individual to learn. Office 365 online services include Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange. With each program in Office 365 taking two to three days of professional training to master, an individual could learn the whole of Office 365 in less than one month.
Is IT worth getting Excel certified? ›Is Microsoft Excel certification worth it? Getting an Excel certification can benefit your career in several ways. It's a globally recognized credential that can be advantageous in many fields, including accounting, finance, project management, marketing, technology, and education.
How much does it cost to take Microsoft certification courses? ›1 Microsoft Certification exam voucher + 1 retake, if necessary + Microsoft Official Practice Test (30-day online access for the test), powered by MeasureUp: For US students the price will be USD $265 (For Indian students $90 + 18% GST= $106, INR. 7500 approx).
What is the passing score for MS 900? ›Passing score: 700. Learn more about exam scores.
What is the passing score for MS 700? ›What is the pass mark for the MS-700 exam? As with all Microsoft exams, a score of 700 (out of 1000) points is required to pass – 70%.
How many times may you retake the final exam if you do not pass it the first time? ›Some states do require students to retake the course if they do not pass any of the exam attempts. Here's how many final exam attempts each state allows: Two attempts allowed: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, South Carolina, and Washington.
Does the MS-100 exam have labs? ›This collection is comprised of over 10 labs and contains hours of hands-on practice and supports the MS-100: Microsoft 365 Identity and Services competencies. Access to the lab delivery platform starting upon your first lab launch: Collection (Exam Level) – 90 days.
Is MS-100 worth it? ›Generally speaking, yes. If you're sufficiently far enough along in your career where there's no realistic chance that you'll be assigned a Microsoft 365 administrator role, it might not be worth it.
What if I fail the MS-900? ›What is MS-900 Exam retake policy? You can apply for retaking the exam after 24 hours of the failed attempt but you pay for each exam attempt you will take.
Can you use notes on Microsoft exam? ›
However, at home you aren't allowed any bits of paper for note taking. The other things to consider when sitting an exam at home are: No one else is allowed in the room with you and if someone comes in it could mean you fail the exam. You can't read the questions out loud or speak during the exam.
Who is the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional? ›Arfa Abdul Karim Randhawa (Urdu: عارفہ کریم رندھاوا; (Punjabi: عارفہ کریم رندھاوا; 2 February 1995 – 14 January 2012) was a Pakistani student and computer prodigy who became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in 2004. She was submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for her achievement.
How long to study for Microsoft 365 certification? ›It can take approximately 2-3 months to complete each course, including virtual labs. Factor in a couple weeks of review time integrating the practice exam tool after completing each course," Blake advises. "It's not unusual to score around 50% the first time through.
Is it hard to pass a Microsoft exam? ›Step 1: Know what you need to know.
Microsoft certification exams are usually hard, really hard. They are generally not very fun to take. The exams dive into minutia, asking questions that people with years of experience can't answer. Every question is a trick question so they are pretty hard to guess at.
Microsoft certification exams can be extremely challenging to pass. Study material is often very dense and difficult to make sense of.
Are Microsoft certifications good for life? ›Microsoft role-based (associate and expert) and specialty certifications are valid for one (1) year from the date that you complete all requirements to earn that certification. To prevent your certification from expiring you must renew the certification before the certification expiration date.
Which Microsoft Certification has highest salary? ›1. AZ-305 Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. According to the Global Knowledge 2021 IT Skills and Salary Survey, this is one of the highest-paying certifications. Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AZ-305, is an expert-level certification.
What are the benefits of being Microsoft certified? ›When you pass a Microsoft Certification exam, you'll earn a digital badge, which you can share online with your professional network. Get hired—faster. Certification validates your skills, which means you'll have what you need to stand out as a great candidate.
How long should you study for Microsoft Certification? ›You'll find plenty of study playlists available! Give yourself a time budget, an estimate on how much time you think you will need to be exam ready. I roughly estimated I'd need at least 30 hours of study minimum, with really 40 to 50 hours all together to be more confident.
What Microsoft certifications do not expire? ›- Microsoft Fundamentals Certifications.
- MCSE.
- MCSD.
- MTA.
- MOS.
- MCSA.
- MCE.
What is the average salary for a Microsoft Certified professional? ›
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $148,500 | $12,375 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,000 | $10,333 |
| Average | $100,476 | $8,373 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,500 | $6,041 |
According to Payscale, the average salary for a Cloud Security Engineer with AZ-500 certification is $120,000 per year in the United States. The salary range varies based on experience, job role, and location.
Which Microsoft Certification is best for beginners? ›The best certification for beginners and one of the top Microsoft certifications is AZ 900: Microsoft Azure Fundamental. There are no prerequisites, and the course covers the fundamentals of cloud and Azure.
How many times we can take Microsoft certification? ›Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exam retake policy
You may not take a given exam more than five (5) times within a 12-month period from the first attempt. If you failed the exam 5 times, you'll be eligible to retake it again 12 months from the date of your first attempt.