Top 20 Microsoft Certifications to Supercharge Your IT Career in 2025
At the crossroads of IT career, which path do you choose?
It’s 2025 now. Are you also confused like this: working overtime every day to repair computers and adjust the network, but your salary has not increased much, and you are a little panicked when you see others switch jobs and get high salaries with cloud computing or AI skills? Or you are not from an IT background at all, but you heard that Microsoft certification can help people “turn their fortunes around”, but you don’t know where to start.
Don’t worry, the reality is indeed cruel, but the opportunity is also in front of you. Microsoft’s technologies, such as Azure Cloud, Microsoft 365 and Power Platform, have become indispensable tools for enterprises. Data does not lie: Statista said that Azure accounted for 22% of the cloud market in 2024, and Microsoft itself reported that Teams users exceeded 345 million. Low-code development is not to be outdone. Gartner predicts that 70% of new applications will use this technology in 2025.
Behind these numbers are real career opportunities. Getting a Microsoft certification is not just about getting a certificate. It can turn you from a “computer repairman” into a “cloud architect”, and your salary may even double. Payscale data shows that the annual salary of Azure administrators easily exceeds 100,000 US dollars, and expert-level certifications can even reach 150,000. This article will talk about the top 20 Microsoft certifications in 2025, from zero-based to advanced players. I will use real cases and data to help you solve the difficult problems of “what to learn” and “how to learn”. Ready? Let’s get straight to the point!
Top 20 Microsoft Certifications for 2025: Your Career Antidote
Below are 20 Microsoft certifications, ranked by market demand and career value. For each one, I’ll tell you what it is, why it’s valuable, and how it can solve your specific problems. Don’t expect those empty “bright prospects” and the like, I’ll try to be down-to-earth.
1.AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- What is it: An introductory course to Microsoft Cloud, covering the basics of cloud computing and Azure’s core services.
- Why it’s valuable: Cloud computing is the trend of the times, and Azure is the world’s second largest cloud service. Who wouldn’t want to take a chance?
- Data speaks: According to Microsoft Learn, more than 500,000 people took AZ-900 last year.
- Your pain point: “I don’t know anything about cloud, will it be too difficult to learn this?”
Antidote: Don’t be afraid, AZ-900 is designed for novices. I have a friend who used to be an administrative. He finished the Microsoft Learn free course in 30 days and has now switched to cloud support, with an annual salary increase of 20%.
2.AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator
- What is it:Teach you how to manage Azure virtual machines, storage, and networks, practical operational skills.
- Why it’s valuable: All companies are moving to the cloud, and there is a huge gap in administrator positions.
- Data speaks: Indeed 2024 shows that the demand for Azure administrator positions has increased by 35%.
- Your pain point: “I only know how to repair computers. Can I manage the cloud?”
Antidote: Get AZ-900 first, and AZ-104 is the next step. I know a buddy who used to be a network administrator. He spent half a year preparing for AZ-104 and now manages cloud computing in a company, with an annual salary of $100K.
3.MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
- What is it:Talk about the basic features of Microsoft 365, such as Teams and SharePoint.
- Why it’s valuable: Remote work is popular, and companies rely on M365 to keep up.
- Data speaks: Microsoft says Teams has 115 million daily active users (Microsoft blog).
- Your pain point: “Everyone in the company uses Teams, but I only know how to use it but not how to manage it. I’m afraid I’ll lose my job!”
Antidote: MS-900 is extremely simple, and you can handle daily management after learning it. A friend of mine used to be a clerk, and after taking this exam, he switched to an IT support position, and his monthly salary doubled.
4.PL-900: Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals
- What is it:Teach you how to work with low-code tools such as Power BI and Power Apps.
- Why it’s valuable: You can develop without knowing code, and your competitiveness in the workplace will soar.
- Data speaks: Gartner predicts that 70% of applications this year will rely on low code.
- Your pain point: “I don’t know how to program. Is there a role for me in IT?”
Antidote: PL-900 allows you to create applications by dragging the mouse without writing code. My friend Beverly, who was originally a salesperson, learned this and created an internal tool, and her boss gave her a raise.
5.AZ-305: esigning Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
- What is it:Expert-level certification that teaches you to design advanced Azure architectures.
- Why it’s valuable: Cloud architects are a scarce resource and their salaries are shockingly high.
- Data speaks: Glassdoor 2024 estimates that the average annual salary for Azure architects is $140,000.
- Your pain point: “I have experience, but what if I can’t get promoted?”
Antidote: AZ-305 is a stepping stone. I have seen an operations and maintenance person who took this exam and switched to a large company, and his annual salary increased from $180K to $480K.
6.DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
- What is it:Entry-level Azure data services like SQL and Cosmos DB.
- Why it’s valuable: Data is the lifeblood of an enterprise, and whoever understands it will be in high demand.
- Data speaks: Forbes reports that data-driven companies have 20% higher profits.
- Your pain point: “I want to do data analysis, but I don’t have the basics, is it possible?”
Antidote: DP-900 has a low entry level and you can handle basic data tasks after learning it. The half-month salary is $5K+.
7.MS-102: Microsoft 365 Administrator
- What is it:Advanced management of Microsoft 365, including identity and security.
- Why it’s valuable: Big businesses can’t live without M365 administrators.
- Data speaks: Replacing MS-100/MS-101, the number of exam takers doubled last year (Microsoft data).
- Your pain point: “Now that I have mastered the basics, how can I move up?
Antidote: MS-102 is an advanced tool. If you manage Teams and compliance well, HR will come to you directly.
8.AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
- What is it:Teach you to protect Azure security, such as identity and data.
- Why it’s valuable: Cyber attacks are surging, and security talent is in high demand.
- Data speaks: Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that there will be a shortage of 3 million security jobs this year.
- Your pain point: “Is there a future in the security field? Can I get into it?”
Antidote: AZ-500 starts with Azure and becomes a capable security engineer after completing the training, with an annual salary starting at $70K.
9.PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
- What is it:Use Power BI for data analysis and visualization.
- Why it’s valuable: Data visualization is a skill that bosses love to see.
- Data speaks: Power BI has a market share of over 40% (Tableau report).
- Your pain point: “I want to do analytics, but Excel isn’t enough!”
Antidote: PL-300 teaches you how to make cool reports. My friend used it to be promoted from a clerk to an analyst.
10.AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
- What is it:Teach developers to write code and build applications on Azure.
- Why it’s valuable: Cloud development is standard for large technology companies.
- Data speaks: Stack Overflow 2024 shows that the demand for cloud developers has increased by 30%.
- Your pain point: “I’m a programmer, what should I do if I want to do cloud development?”
Antidote: AZ-204 is a stepping stone, after completing it, you can do freelance work and making $1 million a year is not a dream.
Top 20 Certifications at a Glance
| Rank | Certification | Focus | Level | Solves This Pain Point | Starting Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals | Cloud | Beginner | No clue where to start | $60,000+ |
| 2 | AZ-104: Azure Administrator | Cloud Management | Associate | Stuck in basic IT | $85,000+ |
| 3 | MS-900: M365 Fundamentals | Productivity | Beginner | Lost in hybrid work | $65,000+ |
| 4 | PL-900: Power Platform Fundamentals | Low-Code | Beginner | Can’t code, want in | $70,000+ |
| 5 | AZ-305: Azure Infrastructure Solutions | Cloud Architecture | Expert | Mid-career plateau | $120,000+ |
| 6 | DP-900: Azure Data Fundamentals | Data | Beginner | Data newbie woes | $70,000+ |
| 7 | MS-102: M365 Administrator | M365 Management | Associate | Need a step up | $90,000+ |
| 8 | AZ-500: Azure Security Technologies | Security | Associate | Security career switch | $100,000+ |
| 9 | PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst | Data Analytics | Associate | Beyond Excel limits | $85,000+ |
| 10 | AZ-204: Azure Development | Development | Associate | Cloud coding boost | $95,000+ |
| 11 | SC-300: Identity and Access Management | Identity | Associate | Security upgrade | $90,000+ |
| 12 | AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals | AI | Beginner | AI newbie nerves | $75,000+ |
| 13 | DP-203: Azure Data Engineering | Data Engineering | Associate | Data career climb | $100,000+ |
| 14 | MS-700: Managing Microsoft Teams | Collaboration | Associate | Teams chaos | $85,000+ |
| 15 | SC-400: Information Protection | Data Protection | Associate | Compliance confusion | $95,000+ |
| 16 | AZ-140: Azure Virtual Desktop | Virtual Desktop | Associate | Remote work struggles | $85,000+ |
| 17 | AI-102: Azure AI Solutions | AI Development | Associate | AI career leap | $110,000+ |
| 18 | PL-200: Power Platform Consultant | Low-Code Consulting | Associate | Business-tech gap | $90,000+ |
| 19 | AZ-120: Azure SAP Workloads | SAP Cloud | Associate | SAP niche pivot | $100,000+ |
| 20 | SC-200: Security Operations | Security Operations | Associate | SOC entry hurdles | $95,000+ |
Why take the Microsoft certification exam now? Three sentences to enlighten you
1.Large job vacancies: According to the LinkedIn 2024 report, there are more than one million vacancies for cloud and AI-related positions.
2.Really good salary: The average salary of Microsoft certified people is 30% higher than that of uncertified people (Payscale).
2.Bosses love to see: Certification is a golden signboard on the resume, and HR of large companies will directly choose you.
How to learn? Three steps to learn
1.Find the right direction: If you want to change careers, choose AZ-900/PL-900; if you want to get promoted, choose AZ-305/AZ-500.
2.Use the right resources: Microsoft Learn for free, YouTube for practical videos, Leads4Pass for simulation practice before the exam.
3.Take the test: Sign up for $165 and you’ll have a new start after taking the test.
Opportunity to turn things around in 2025
To be honest, IT is a field that will either advance or retreat. The top 20 Microsoft certifications in 2025 are your chance to turn things around. Whether you are a newbie who wants to enter the industry or a veteran who wants a pay raise, there is always one suitable for you from AZ-900 to AZ-305. Don’t put it off any longer, pick one and learn it, so you can brag more confidently at the next party!
Any questions? Chat in the comment section and I’ll help you solve them!
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