The AZ-400 certification by Microsoft is in high demand across the global tech landscape, including in India. As companies increasingly adopt cloud-native development and DevOps practices, certified professionals who can bridge the gap between development and operations are essential.
Prerequisites for Learning AZ-400:
Although AZ-400 is an intermediate to advanced-level certification, it builds upon core DevOps and Azure concepts. Ideal candidates should have:
- Foundational Knowledge of Azure Services: Including App Services, VMs, Azure Repos, and Azure Pipelines.
- Experience with Source Control: Git, GitHub, and Azure Repos familiarity is essential.
- Understanding of CI/CD Processes: Practical experience in setting up build and release pipelines.
- Basic Scripting or Programming Skills: In PowerShell, Bash, or a programming language like Python or C#.
- Prior Certification Recommended: Microsoft recommends having the Azure Administrator (AZ-104) or Azure Developer (AZ-204) certification before attempting AZ-400.
These prerequisites ensure the learner can focus on DevOps implementation strategies rather than learning basic Azure infrastructure.
Eligibility for Non-IT Professionals to Pursue AZ-400
AZ-400 is geared toward professionals already in IT or software engineering roles, but motivated individuals from non-IT backgrounds can still break into DevOps with a structured approach. For example:
- Engineers from electronics, mechanical, or networking backgrounds can transition by learning Linux basics, scripting, and cloud fundamentals.
- Business analysts and testers can expand into DevOps by gaining hands-on experience with CI/CD tools, automation, and version control.
By starting with AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) and building up through AZ-104 or AZ-204, even non-tech professionals can prepare for AZ-400 and shift into DevOps engineering roles.
Scope of AZ-400 Certification
The AZ-400 certification opens the door to roles that involve designing and automating the entire software delivery pipeline. Professionals skilled in these areas are key to achieving faster delivery, improved collaboration, and higher reliability in modern software development.
Career opportunities include:
- DevOps Engineer
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
- Automation Engineer
- Cloud DevOps Architect
- Infrastructure Engineer – DevOps
- Release Manager
AZ-400-certified professionals are vital in cloud migrations, hybrid architecture management, and implementing scalable DevOps pipelines, making them valuable assets in any cloud-first organization.
Salary for AZ-400 Certified Professionals in India
The salary range for AZ-400-certified professionals in India reflects the growing demand and specialized skill set in the DevOps domain:
- Entry-Level DevOps Engineers with 2–3 years of experience and Azure knowledge can earn ₹6–9 lakhs per year.
- Mid-Level DevOps Specialists with 4–7 years of experience in automation, cloud deployment, and CI/CD can earn between ₹10–16 lakhs annually.
- Senior DevOps Architects or Cloud Solution Consultants with 8+ years of experience may earn ₹18–30+ lakhs per year, especially in MNCs and product-based firms.
Azure DevOps engineers are highly paid because of the growing adoption of cloud-native technologies and enterprise DevOps transformation initiatives.
Opportunities and Career Growth for AZ-400 Certified Professionals
With the AZ-400 certification, professionals gain access to one of the fastest-growing career paths in cloud computing. The roles not only offer excellent salaries but also allow progression into technical leadership and architecture.
Career advancement paths include:
- Cloud DevOps Architect: Design end-to-end cloud deployment models and automation workflows.
- Senior Site Reliability Engineer (SRE): Combine software engineering with systems administration to maintain scalable systems.
- Release Engineering Lead: Manage and optimize release cycles across distributed teams and environments.
- Infrastructure as Code Specialist: Automate provisioning and configuration of environments using ARM, Bicep, or Terraform.
- DevSecOps Consultant: Implement security policies into DevOps workflows, ensuring compliance and safety.
- Technical Trainer or Mentor: Train corporate or freelance learners in Azure DevOps tools and practices.
