The DevOps market, which is expected to grow from USD 10.4 billion in 2023 to USD 25.5 billion by 20281, is constantly evolving, and with it, the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise. As a result, many IT and engineering professionals are considering DevOps certifications to demonstrate their expertise in this domain, break into the industry, and enhance their career prospects.
You might wonder whether investing in a DevOps certification is suitable for your career. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of getting certified, factors to consider when determining if professional certification is a good fit for you, and an overview of some of the most popular DevOps certifications in the market.
What drives your decision to invest?
As you explore the possibility of obtaining a DevOps certification, taking some time to do a self-assessment and set personal goals is essential. This will help with your decision on whether to pursue a certification. By evaluating your current skill set, career aspirations, and the potential benefits of earning a certification, you’ll be better equipped to make a well-informed decision that aligns with your personal and professional goals. These are some familiar drivers:
Credibility: Acquiring a DevOps certification denotes your dedication to the field, showcasing your learning to employers, peers, clients, and the overall market.
Salary: Certified professionals often command higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts, as employers generally pay a premium for certified employees.
Skills: The learning process connected to the certification helps you stay updated with the latest industry trends, best practices, and technologies, making you a more effective and efficient professional.
Growth: A DevOps certification can open new career opportunities and accelerate your professional development, helping you transition into specialized roles or be considered for promotions or leadership positions.
Durability: In an increasingly competitive job market, managers and employers view certified professionals as a more valuable asset, which can help safeguard your position and make you less vulnerable to layoffs or downsizing.
Adaptability: The knowledge and skills gained through certification preparation can make you more adaptable to changing technology landscapes and industry trends.
Marketability: A DevOps certification can enhance your brand, publicly highlighting your expertise and dedication to the field.
Accomplishment: Completing a certification exam and obtaining a credential can provide a sense of personal achievement and pride, which can be rewarding and motivating.
There are additional factors to consider
While understanding your objectives and desired outcomes is a crucial starting point, there are additional considerations to factor in before deciding to invest in a DevOps certification. Various aspects can influence your decision-making processes, such as the relevance of the certificate to your current role, industry recognition, cost, and recertification requirements. By thoroughly evaluating these factors and others, you will be better prepared to determine if a DevOps certification is a valuable investment for your career growth and long-term success.
Content relevance: Determine how well the learning and results from the certifications available will align with the requirements of the current and future activities you will be performing.
Certification reputation: Compare the certifications based on their curriculum, difficulty level, and industry recognition.
Enrollment prerequisites: Check the eligibility criteria and prerequisites for the certification you’re interested in. Some certifications may require hands-on experience, prior knowledge, or earlier-level credentials before you can enroll.
Time commitment: Assess the time you must dedicate to studying and practicing for the certification. Will you need to create a study plan to ensure you achieve certification before a specific date? Some certifications may require significant time and effort to prepare for and pass the exam.
Supporting resources: Some certifications have official training programs to help you prepare for the certification exam. Others might require a combination of self-study courses and third-party resources such as books, online training, and practice exams. Which options suit you best?
Ease of testing: Understand the exam’s location, format, and difficulty. This will help you gauge the time and effort needed for preparation and execution. Some exams include multiple-choice questions; others utilize hands-on labs.
Costs: Study the expenses required to obtain the certification, which may include exam fees, training materials, and required courses. Determine if the investment aligns with your budget and expected return on investment, including an anticipated increase in salary.
Validity and renewal: Most certifications have a specific validity period, after which you’ll need to renew or update your certification. Understand the renewal process, continued professional education requirements, and any associated costs to maintain your certification.
No single certification covers it all
Because DevOps is an expansive field encompassing a wide range of practices, tools, and technologies, a comprehensive, one-size-fits-all certification is impractical and unlikely to address the full spectrum of the DevOps scenarios and challenges you’ll encounter during your career. These are some of the more common DevOps certifications from the many dozens available.
| Certification | Applicability | Exam Location and Format |
Prerequisites | Cost* | Recertification Requirements |
| AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional | Validates expertise in implementing and managing DevOps practices on the AWS platform | Testing center or online: Multiple-choice | AWS Certified Developer or SysOps Administrator Associate | $$$ | Every 3 years |
| Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert | Validates expertise in DevOps practices using Microsoft Azure services and tools | Online: Multiple-choice, hands-on labs | Azure Administrator or Developer Associate | $$ | Renew annually with new assessments |
| Google Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer | Validates skills in implementing and managing DevOps practices on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) | Testing center or online: Multiple-choice | None, but recommended 3+ years of industry experience | $$ | Every 2 years |
| Docker Certified Associate (DCA) | Validates skills in Docker and container orchestration, primarily in enterprise environments | Online: Multiple-choice | Recommended 6+ months of Docker experience | $$ | Every 2 years |
| Kubernetes Certification (CKA and CKAD) | Validates skills in Kubernetes administration (CKA) and application development (CKAD) | Online: Hands-on labs | None, but recommended Kubernetes experience | $$$ (each) |
Every 3 years |
| Red Hat Certified Engineer in DevOps | Validates skills in DevOps practices using Red Hat technologies, such as OpenShift, Ansible, RHEL | Online: Hands-on labs | Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) | $$$ | Every 3 years |
| Puppet Certified Professional | Validates skills in implementing and managing Puppet for infrastructure automation | Online: Multiple-choice | Recommended 12+ months of Puppet experience | $$ | Every ~24 months |
| GitLab Certified DevOps Professional | Validates skills in using GitLab for continuous integration, continuous deployment, and source control management | Online: Multiple-choice, hands-on labs | None, but recommended GitLab experience | $$$$ | Every 2 years |
| HashiCorp Certified Terraform Associate | Validates skills in using Terraform for infrastructure-as-code (IaC) and managing cloud infrastructure | Online: Multiple-choice | None, but recommended Terraform experience | $ | Every 2 years |
*Cost Levels: ($) Low | ($$) Moderate | ($$$) High | ($$$$) Very High
Note: Cost levels are relative. Actual costs can change over time. Always check the respective certification provider’s website for the most up-to-date information.
A comprehensive understanding of your career objectives, industry trends, and potential employment opportunities should guide the decision to pursue a DevOps certification. An in-depth assessment of the certification landscape, alongside employer preferences, helps create a well-rounded perspective on the value of a certification.
By considering these aspects, you will be better equipped to make an informed choice that supports your long-term career goals and contributes to your overall personal and professional development and growth.
- Markets and Markets, DevOps Market by Type: Global Forecast to 2028, Accessed April 14, 2023
