Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Which One to Choose?

Cloud is a hot domain these days, with ever-increasing job opportunities that also offer high monetary perks. So, if you have plans to start a career in this domain, it would be one of the best decisions. However, to move in the right direction and enjoy a fruitful career, you should have proper skills. For this, you should enroll in a renowned certification program, depending on your final goals. In this article, let us discuss the two popular certifications, az 204 vs az 104, to help you pave your path toward success. 

What is Azure Administrator?

An Azure administrator configures the Azure services in operations to meet the organizational requirements. These professionals implement and manage virtual networks in the cloud. Furthermore, they monitor the operations closely to keep the cloud environment smooth and sorted. To begin a career in this domain, you can enroll in a Microsoft Administrator certification program. 

Who is an Azure Developer?

Azure Developers are software developers who use Microsoft Azure as a computing service. They use Azure to carry out complex levels of application development. All the applications that these developers create are cloud-based. They introduce Microsoft Azure principles and help the organization in plenty of ways. 

Now, these two roles might sound familiar, but there are multiple parameters on which Azure developer vs Azure administrator varies. Let us discuss all these parameters in detail. 

Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Comparison Table

Before we discuss the Azure administrator vs Azure developer parameters in detail, the table below gives you a brief about them.

Parameters	Azure Developers	Azure Administrator
Roles & Responsibilities	These experts create the cloud based applications	These experts implement, monitor and manage the cloud networks.
Skill Set	One should be proficient in Python or any other programming language.	One should have thorough knowledge of networks and have solid communication skills.
Technical Expertise	Developers are supposed to be technically skilled as they need to code.	Azure administrators do not require advanced technical skills.
Tools & Techniques	Visual Studio, SDKs, Azure Load Testing, App Configuration	Azure CLI, Azure Portal, PowerShell
Collaborations	Azure developers collaborate with the teams that gather client requirements to deliver products that meet them.	Administrators collaborate with all the teams working on cloud networks and make effort to keep the environment sorted for them.
Project Involvement	They get involved at the beginning of the project.	The administration job starts at the later stage.
Career Growth	The career growth of an Azure developer is promising, in terms of position and salary package.	The career growth of Azure administrator is also at par with the developer.
Suitable For	Suitable for computer science graduates who know at least one programming language.	Suitable for computer science graduates who have solid critical thinking skills.

Difference Between Azure Administrator and Azure Developer

The table clearly indicates that the Azure developer vs administrator varies at various levels. To understand the difference better, let us discuss the parameters in detail. 

1. Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Roles and Responsibilities

The role of an Azure developer is to create cloud-based applications that can meet organizational needs. These experts code the application and help other teams with the implementation.

On the other hand, Azure administrators monitor and manage the cloud networks. Furthermore, they have the responsibility of deploying the virtual machines. 

2. Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Skillsets and Competencies

Azure Developers should have proficiency in at least one programming language using which they can create cloud-based applications. Moreover, they should also have strong communication skills to understand the requirements better.

Azure administrators should understand the networking norms thoroughly. Moreover, as their direct communication is with stakeholders and other teams, they should be good with communication and problem-solving tactics. 

3. Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Technical Expertise

Developers should have proficient technical skills. Their expertise in programming languages, like Python, should be great because they have to develop efficient cloud applications.

On the other hand, the azure administrators do not need advanced technical expertise. They should understand the technical aspects of the cloud network, but there is no need to hold proficiency in coding. 

4. Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Tools and Technologies 

Every expert requires tools and techniques to deliver the work with efficiency. So, for Azure developers, the tools that are helpful are:

• Visual Studio
• SDKs
• Azure Load Testing
• App Configuration

On the other hand, even the administrators require some tools and techniques to keep the networks sorted. Some tools they can use are:

• Azure CLI
• Azure Portal
• PowerShell

5. Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Collaboration and Interactions

The interactions or collaborations of Azure developers are with the requirement-gathering team to understand the expected end product. Moreover, they also collaborate with the testing team to ensure the product they deliver is error-free.

Azure administrators interact with each team member working on the cloud network to ensure they get a safe environment. Additionally, they interact with the stakeholders to keep them satisfied with the company's operations. 

6. Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Project Involvement

Azure developers get involved at the beginning of the project, as everything starts with the app creation. Their role carries on until the final product gets handed over.

Azure administrators get involved later when it is time to implement the application. Their role continues till the team works on the cloud network, which is forever!

7. Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Career Paths and Growth

You can learn about career growth in both domains by understanding Azure administrator vs Azure developer salary. An Azure developer earns $132,148 on average. The highest salary package in this domain is $174k 

Azure administrators earn $84,901 on average. The highest salary package in this domain is $117k. By this, it is clear that the growth of developers is more than Azure administrators.

8. Azure Administrator vs Azure Developer: Suitable for 

The Azure developer job role is apt for those who have programming proficiency and an inclination towards creating new applications. One should also be ready to learn new tools and techniques in this domain to keep up with the trend. 

Azure administration is apt for those who have a deep understanding of cloud networks.

How do Career Paths Differ for Azure Administrators and Developers?

While the Azure administrators manage the cloud-based networks and other operations, the developers create the cloud applications. So, the career path for both these domains would also vary. A fundamental requirement of a computer science graduate remains the same; the paths differ in specializations. You can check Cloud Computing course details to figure out which program would suit your interest the most and inch closer to becoming an Azure administrator or developer.

How can I Decide Which Azure Role is Apt for Me- Administrator or Developer?

When you want to decide which role of an administrator or a developer would be apt for you, get ready for some detailed research. Begin by figuring out your interests and determine which field you have an inclination towards. After that, you can research the Azure developer associate vs Azure administrator associate job roles. It will help you learn about both domains better, and you can decide which job position would be apt for you. 

Conclusion

It is fair to say that cloud is a promising domain with better job opportunities and handsome salary packages. So, azure administrator or developer are excellent options, provided you are skilled enough for the position. Use the Azure administrator vs developer information shared in this article to decide, and rest assured that your professional journey will be fruitful. KnowledgeHut Microsoft Administrator certification will help you boost your Azure career and salary with the Azure administrator credential.