Compare certification routes by purpose
Choose a learning route by the work you want to do, not a promised salary ranking.
No credential in this table guarantees a job or a pay increase. Compare the current exam objectives with the tasks in your target role. Training, practice, retakes and maintenance sit outside the initial exam price unless explicitly included.
Select a column header to sort.
| Route | Useful question | Practice evidence | Before paying |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT support foundations | Can I diagnose user and device problems? | A documented troubleshooting exercise | Check all required exams for the credential |
| Networking | Can I explain packet flow and isolate faults? | A small network with a fault log | Check exam version and equipment needs |
| Cloud fundamentals | Can I explain cloud concepts and billing? | A costed architecture sketch | Do not confuse awareness with operations experience |
| Cloud administration | Can I operate a small environment safely? | Identity, deployment and cleanup runbook | Check practical experience recommendations |
| Cloud architecture | Can I justify reliability and cost tradeoffs? | An architecture decision record | Check scope rather than assuming seniority |
| Security foundations | Can I explain controls and investigate a scenario? | A threat model and incident note | Check whether target jobs require experience |
| Specialist credentials | Does my work need this specific depth? | A project in the specialization | Confirm prerequisites and renewal burden |
| Project-first learning | Can I show the task before taking an exam? | A reproducible, sanitized portfolio | Budget labs and avoid exposing credentials |
Official verification
Use AWS certification FAQs, Microsoft Learn, Google Cloud certification, and Cisco certification FAQs for issuer requirements. Use the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for occupational context, not a certification salary forecast. No prices or salary rankings are inferred from this comparison.