Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

cloud Expert Updated: 2025-01-15 Methodology

The Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) certification validates your ability to design and implement DevOps practices for Azure, including CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, compliance, and monitoring. This expert-level certification requires a prerequisite of either AZ-104 or AZ-204, making it a natural progression for Azure professionals moving into DevOps.

$140K
Avg Salary
60%
Pass Rate
28.0K
Job Listings
120h
Study Time
$165
Exam Cost

Exam Details

Exam CodeAZ-400
Exam Cost$165 USD
Duration120 minutes
Questions40-60
Passing Score700/1000
ProviderMicrosoft
Difficulty8/10

Salary Data

Professionals holding the Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification earn between $115,000 and $170,000 annually, with an average of $140,000.

Job market demand trend: Growing

Prerequisites

  • AZ-104 or AZ-204 required
  • Experience with Azure administration or development

Skills Covered

Azure DevOpsCI/CD PipelinesInfrastructure as CodeConfiguration ManagementRelease ManagementMonitoring & FeedbackGit Version Control

Best Study Resources

Official

Microsoft Learn — AZ-400 Learning Path

 Course

Scott Duffy — AZ-400 Course (Udemy)

 Practice Exams

Whizlabs AZ-400 Practice Tests

 Documentation

Azure DevOps Documentation

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Frequently Asked Questions

What prerequisites do I need for AZ-400?
You must hold either the Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) or Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) certification before earning the DevOps Engineer Expert designation. You can take the AZ-400 exam without the prerequisite, but you won't receive the Expert certification until you pass one of those two.
How difficult is the AZ-400 exam?
AZ-400 is considered challenging with an estimated 60% pass rate. It covers a broad range of DevOps topics including CI/CD, IaC, security, monitoring, and collaboration practices. Hands-on experience with Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions is strongly recommended.
Is AZ-400 worth it for career growth?
Yes. DevOps engineering is one of the highest-paying specializations in cloud computing, with an average salary of $140,000. The certification signals expertise across the full DevOps lifecycle and is highly valued by organizations adopting Azure.
Does the AZ-400 exam include hands-on labs?
The AZ-400 may include case studies, scenario-based questions, and occasionally lab components. The format can vary, so candidates should be comfortable with both theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Data Sources

  • Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
  • Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates (not official vendor data)
  • Exam details — Microsoft official documentation