The CDA certification is intended to certify skills of individual developers in understanding the core AWS services, uses, and basic AWS architecture best practices. It also shows proficiency in developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS.
In order to pass the exam, you will have to know about several AWS APIs, the SDKs, key features of AWS, implement cloud-native applications, be aware of security best practises and much more.
Why getting your AWS Developer Certification is worth it
It’s not an easy task, as you can see! Becoming a certified AWS developer does not happen overnight, it takes months or even years of working with the platform and studying the ins-and-outs of the platform for several weeks before the exams happen.
That dedication has a big worth: AWS Developers are amongst the highest paid of the US IT industry, source.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: $117,773
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional: $136,259
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate: $112,984
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional: $125,743
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate: $125,149
Looking at other salary levels in DevOps and SysOps, many of these salaries at 10%-20% over the market levels in these areas, making an AWS certification a really good and priceworthy investment.
No only that: But AWS certifications expire after 3 or 4 years, so if you work in that area, you should be able to extend your certifications without much problems, and always stay ahead of the curve.
How you can prepare for your AWS CDA certification
There’s more than just studying that goes into preparing for your AWS certification. When it comes to getting your materials in, there are plenty of courses and articles about it. But the way towards passing your exam is much longer:
- Learn the materials
- Get comfortable working with AWS (build something!)
- Talk to people with experience
- Do sample exams
- Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses
- Implement your knowledge in your day job
- Don’t give up!
You can see the AWS certification as if you were going for a promotion. It’s a certification process that can easily give you a 10% pay raise, if not more. If you study hard, get help and do the appropriate courses, you will make it!