DevOps is a transformation aimed at integrating the operations and software development teams. It is a blend of methods found in Lean and Agile methodologies. DevOps is used to transform the way organizations create software products more efficiently and faster. This is why most companies are employing this approach for software development and delivery. Anticipating the growing demand, more and more IT aspirants are switching to DevOps. However, you need immense knowledge and practical experience to get hired. This is where DevOps certifications step in to help out. Let us find out more about these programs and check a comprehensive DevOps certification list to make the right decision. Let’s explore them!
What Are DevOps Certifications?
DevOps certificates validate your expertise in applying collaborative DevOps methods, bringing together software development and IT operations teams for quality and efficient software delivery.
Offered by different organizations, these credentials include and stretch to cloud computing, configuration management, automation, containerization, and CI/CD. Popular certifications include Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (Azure focus), Certified DevOps Engineer (AWS focus), and Kubernetes Administrator Certification (CNCF’s Kubernetes expertise).
In addition to this, the Certified Jenkins Engineer stresses Jenkins’ CI/CD proficiency, whereas Red Hat’s Certified Ansible Automation Engineer and Puppet’s Certified Puppet Professional emphasize specific tools. Certifications indicate continuous learning, demonstrating expertise in sought-after tech. They open avenues to roles and advancement, boost confidence, and bring accomplishment. However, hands-on experience is essential. DevOps certifications complement practical applications, preparing you to drive successful transformations. In brief, DevOps certification programs affirm your skills, enhance employability, and contribute to efficient DevOps adoption.
Top In-Demand DevOps Certifications
You will find hundreds of DecOps certification courses out there. However, not all courses are worth your consideration. Some programs are just a waste of time and money. Then, there are others that do not carry any value. As a smart professional, you should have your hands on the best and the most recognized certifications. Here are the top and most sought-after certifications needed for DevOps engineer.
Docker Certified Associate
- Overview: The certification validates your mastery of Docker technology and containerization. This credential showcases your capability of designing, building, and managing Docker containers effectively.
- Skills: Docker technology, Containerization
- Duration: Varies based on preparation
- Cost: Approximately $195
Requirements: Basic knowledge of Docker concepts
CKA Certified Kubernetes Administrator
- Overview: The CKA certification attests to your proficiency in Kubernetes orchestration and administration. It verifies your capability of deploying and managing containerized software products within Kubernetes clusters.
- Skills: container orchestration, Kubernetes
- Duration: 3 hours (exam)
- Cost: Approximately $300
Requirements: Practical experience with Kubernetes
CKAD Certified Kubernetes Application Developer
- Overview: The CKAD certification is meant for developers to adapt to Kubernetes application development. It is a testament to your skills in building and designing applications using Kubernetes resources.
- Skills: YAML configuration and Kubernetes application development
- Duration: 2 hours (exam)
- Cost: Approximately $300
Requirements: Practical experience with Kubernetesmaster
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
- Overview: The credential validates your capability of designing and implementing DevOps practices on AWS. It sharpens your DevOps skills in continuous integration, automation, and continuous delivery.
- Skills: AWS services for DevOps, automation, and CI/CD
- Duration: Varies based on preparation
- Cost: Approximately $300
Requirements: Knowledge of DevOps practices and AWS cloud.
Azure DevOps Solution Certification Exam
- Overview: The professional certification showcases your expertise in employing DevOps practices using Microsoft Azure. It emphasizes streamlining workflows and enriching collaboration.
- Skills: Employing DevOps practices using Microsoft Azure
- Duration: Varies based on preparation
- Cost: Approximately $165
Requirements: Experience with DevOps and Azure.
Puppet Professional Certification
- Overview: The expert certification validates your mastery of Puppet configuration management, demonstrating your capability of automating and managing complex IT infrastructure.
- Skills: Puppet configuration management
- Duration: Varies based on preparation
- Cost: Approximately $300
Requirements: Knowledge of Puppet tools.
Architecting With Google Cloud Platform
- Overview: The certification enhances your proficiency in DevOps practices and Google Cloud architecture, allowing you to design and employ scalable cloud solutions.
- Skills: Google Cloud architecture, DevOps in GCP
- Duration: Varies based on preparation
- Cost: Approximately $200
Requirements: Knowledge of the Google Cloud Platform.
Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
- Overview: This professional certification validates your capability of designing and implementing DevOps practices on Azure. It focuses on your expertise in driving automation and collaboration on the Azure platform.
- Skills: Designing and employing DevOps practices on Azure.
- Duration: Varies based on preparation.
- Cost: Approximately $165.
Requirements: Proficiency in DevOps and Azure.
Benefits of DevOps Certifications
After getting familiar with different types of certifications, you would like to know the reason for investing in any certificate. Essentially, you may wish to know the benefits that come with those training courses. Have others benefited from any of these courses? Will those certificates give you an edge in the modern competitive job market? All these questions will cloud your mind and you need answers. So, let us check the varied benefits of having DevOps certifications.
- Sharpen Your Skill
Many youngsters choose DevOps tutorials to gain knowledge of the field. Then others check blogs and books. While those resources come in handy, you just cannot compete with professionals based on those resources. This point holds in the case of youngsters who hail from non-computer science backgrounds. If you fall into this category, you may want to learn the ins and outs of DevOps to compete in the job market.
This is where certifications come into the picture. Most of these courses are run by highly trained professionals. So, you can sharpen your skills and clear all possible doubts during your training. This is just not possible with other resources.
- Live Training Sessions
There is a world of difference between theoretical knowledge and practical training. No matter which book or blog you follow, you will not get practical knowledge of the real challenges of IT businesses. Books and other resources will undoubtedly let you grasp theories. What about the practical applications of the knowledge that you gain?
Many learners feel blank when it comes to practical experience. They do not know how to apply the theory to solve practical DevOps problems. It is here DevOps certifications help out. These DevOps courses have live training where learners get hands-on knowledge of practical problems faced by businesses in the real world. So, you get an opportunity to solve business problems before hitting the job market.
- Updated Syllabus
The IT sector keeps evolving with time. What stays as hot today can become outdated or get updated. As a professional, you should keep yourself updated with the latest happenings in the field. Certifications in DevOps keep you ahead of others with the latest syllabus and the most recent developments Plus, many certification courses send you emails whenever something new gets added to DevOps processes. So, you stay with the current trend and remain in the limelight.
- Quick Hiring
Any DevOps engineer or architect would like to get hired quickly. While there are immense opportunities for DevOps experts, companies vet each candidate upside down. If you rely on video tutorials or books, you may become proficient in theory, but you may lag on the practical aspect. As such, you are likely to be ignored by the recruiter.
When you join a certification course, your theoretical and practical skills get sharpened concurrently. So, you can face the interview with ease and answer all questions with confidence. Consequently, your chances of getting hired increase, given the rising demand for experts in DevOps.
- Higher Remuneration
DevOps is a highly profitable field for companies as well as customers. So, organizations are willing to pay higher compensation to professionals. However, any business wishes to have top-class experts for the job. If you do not meet the expectations of the employer, you will not be considered for a position, forget about the salary aspect.
However, you may land a lucrative job if you hook the attention of the recruiter. That is what a certification course does for you. It lets you get ready for the position and the interview. So, you are sure to grab a remunerative job by steering the attention of the employer with your knowledge and certification.
- Chances of Promotions
Some DevOps aspirants might land an entry-level or a trainee job given that companies are facing shortages of professionals. However, such jobs pay less. You may have to stay content with whatever remuneration you get. However, being certified lets you attract a higher salary as you carry practical experience in the field too.
On top of that, you are most likely to get promoted to higher positions in a short time. A reliable DevOps training program can help you become a DevOps Engineer or a DevOps architect or a lead DevOps professional depending on your skills and practical experience.
DevOps Engineer Certification Roadmap
You need a particular set of skills that line up with the practices and principles of DevOps to successfully pursue DevOps certifications. These skills are necessary for managing and implementing DevOps workflows effectively. The key skills needed for top DevOps certifications are listed below:
- Fundamental Understanding of Software Application Development: DevOps encompasses collaboration between product development and operations teams. It is essential to have a basic understanding of programming languages, software development concepts, and version control systems such as JIRA, Git, and Bitbucket.
- Automation Skills: DevOps relies heavily on automation to streamline each process. Proficiency in languages such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash is valuable for tooling and creating automation scripts.
- System Administration: Knowledge of networking and system administration is crucial to maintaining seamless operations and managing infrastructure.
- Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD): You must be familiar with CI/CD concepts as well as tools such as GitLab CI, Jenkins, or Azure DevOps to ensure automatic code integration, product testing, and deployment.
- Configuration Management: You should have profound knowledge of configuration management tools such as Chef, Puppet, or Ansible, which facilitate automated and consistent infrastructure setup.
- Containerization: Knowledge of containerization technologies such as Docker and container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes is necessary for portable and scalable application deployments.
- Cloud Computing: Familiarity with Cloud platforms such as Google Cloud, AWS, or Microsoft Azure is a must as DevOps includes application deployment in the Cloud.
- Logging and Monitoring: Skills in monitoring tools such as ELK stack, Prometheus, or Grafana are important for detecting issues and tracking system performance.
- Security Awareness: You should be familiar with security best practices and ways to integrate security into the DevOps workflow.
- Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication is critical for the success of DevOps because it involves collaborating with stakeholders and multiple teams.
These skills are the bedrock for a successful DevOps career and are necessary to prepare for and obtain DevOps certifications. You should expand your knowledge continually, practice with real-world DevOps projects, and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends in the ever-evolving and dynamic field of DevOps.
How to Choose a DevOps Certification?
While selecting the best DevOps certification course online, consider these points thoroughly. It will make your task easier and let you invest in the right course.
- Reputation: Check a DevOps certification list from reputable organizations that are highly recognized in the industry.
- Prerequisites: Find out whether the training requires prior certifications or specific work experience.
- Relevance: Pick a certification that aligns with your current skills, interests, and career goals.
- Content: Review the topics of the course and make sure they cover all areas you wish to specialize in.
- Cost: Assess the certification’s cost and ensure it is well within your budget range.
- Format: Check whether the certification involves hands-on tasks, exams, or a combination of both. A combination of both is highly recommended.
- Study Materials: Ensure adequate resources and study materials are available for you to prepare for the certification.
- Employer Recognition: Find out if the certification carries value and is sought after by potential employers.
- Community: Check whether there are online communities or study groups to support your preparation.
- Career Impact: Review how the certification can enhance your career prospects and opportunities in getting a DevOps Engineer job.
By assessing these points, you can make an informed decision and pick the most suitable DevOps certification courses to enrich your skills and boost your career in the DevOps domain.
Job Outlook and Salaries For DevOps Career Pathway
DevOps careers provide good pay and high growth. Salaries vary greatly based on expertise and location. Professionals in entry-level positions usually earn between 1,000,000 INR and 1,400,000 INR per year. Mid-level positions can fetch you salaries between 1,500,000 INR and 3,000,000 INR annually, while senior roles can offer more than 3,500,000 INR.
DevOps engineers can advance to roles such as DevOps Manager or architects depending on their skills and commitment. Due to high demand in the field, DevOps certifications can bring various benefits. The unending value of DevOps in software operations and delivery ensures its constant relevance in the IT sector. A career in DevOps can result in an exciting, rewarding future with higher earning potential and long-term growth prospects.
Concluding Words
DevOps is the future of the IT world, particularly in software development and deployment. Most businesses have understood its benefits and are employing this culture. For these reasons, the demand for DevOps engineers and other experts is high. If you want to enter this field, learn the basics of DevOps, understand the roles, and check the best DevOps certifications available. If you stick to the above advice and pick the right certification, you will eventually succeed and make a lucrative living in this constantly evolving field.
| “Want to take your IT career to the next level? Explore our Advanced Cloud Native DevOps Master Program to enhance your DevOps career now!” |
Amol Shete
Senior Software Engineer
A well-experienced DevOps engineer who loves to discuss cloud, DevOps, and Kubernetes. An energetic team player with great communication & interpersonal skills.
FAQ's
Any professional DevOps certification from reliable institutes will come in handy. However, certain certification courses are highly endorsed.
Some of the most popular ones are AWS certified DevOps engineer, CKA Certified Kubernetes Administrator, CKAD Certified Kubernetes Application Developer, Docker Certified Associate, Azure DevOps Solution Certification Exam, Puppet Professional Certification, Architecting with Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert.
The entry-level salary of a DevOps engineer is around 360,000 INR annually in India. The average mid-level annual DevOps engineer’s salary is 1,500,000 INR. Experienced DevOps professionals are highly paid. You may earn as much as 1,600,000 INR annually in this position.
Yes, DevOps certificates are highly valuable because they validate your skills and boost marketability. Also, they show your commitment to learning, improving your credibility for higher career prospects in the fast-changing DevOps sector. Besides experience, certifications can unlock higher-paying roles and opportunities in software development and IT operations.
