AWS Developer Associate and Solutions Architect Associate are both intermediate-level AWS certifications but for different roles. Developer focuses on building and deploying applications, while Solutions Architect focuses on designing infrastructure and architectures.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| AWS Developer – Associate | AWS Solutions Architect – Associate | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Amazon Web Services | Amazon Web Services |
| Exam Code | DVA-C02 | SAA-C03 |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Cost | $150 | $150 |
| Duration | 130 min | 130 min |
| Questions | 65 | 65 |
| Passing Score | 720/1000 | 720/1000 |
| Renewal | 3 years | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | None required; one or more years of hands-on AWS development experience recommended | None required; one or more years of hands-on experience designing solutions on AWS recommended |
| Avg Salary Range | $95,000–$135,000 | $100,000–$140,000 |
Focus Areas
AWS Developer – Associate
Developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS services, SDKs, APIs, CI/CD pipelines, and serverless architectures
AWS Solutions Architect – Associate
Designing resilient architectures, high-performing architectures, secure applications and architectures, and cost-optimized architectures on AWS
Who Should Get Which?
Get AWS Developer – Associate if...
Software developers building applications on AWS who need to validate skills with Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, SDKs, CI/CD pipelines, and serverless architectures
Get AWS Solutions Architect – Associate if...
Cloud architects and engineers who design AWS infrastructure, select services, and make architectural decisions around resilience, performance, security, and cost optimization
Recommended Order
Get SAA first in most cases. It provides the broadest AWS knowledge and is the most recognized AWS credential. Developer Associate can come afterward if you specialize in application development. About 30% of content overlaps.
Study Tips
SAA focuses on choosing the right service for a given scenario. Developer focuses on implementing and coding against those services. Both share core AWS knowledge like VPC, IAM, and S3. If you hold SAA, focus Developer study on SDKs, Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, and CI/CD services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AWS Developer – Associate and AWS Solutions Architect – Associate?
AWS Developer Associate and Solutions Architect Associate are both intermediate-level AWS certifications but for different roles. Developer focuses on building and deploying applications, while Solutions Architect focuses on designing infrastructure and architectures.
Should I get AWS Developer – Associate or AWS Solutions Architect – Associate first?
Get SAA first in most cases. It provides the broadest AWS knowledge and is the most recognized AWS credential. Developer Associate can come afterward if you specialize in application development. About 30% of content overlaps.
Who should get AWS Developer – Associate?
Software developers building applications on AWS who need to validate skills with Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, SDKs, CI/CD pipelines, and serverless architectures
Who should get AWS Solutions Architect – Associate?
Cloud architects and engineers who design AWS infrastructure, select services, and make architectural decisions around resilience, performance, security, and cost optimization
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