CompTIA Data+ vs AWS Cloud Practitioner

Updated: 2025-04-10 Methodology

CompTIA Data+ vs AWS Cloud Practitioner: two entry-level certifications for different career directions. Data+ validates data analytics, visualization, and governance skills, while AWS Cloud Practitioner proves foundational cloud literacy on the world's largest cloud platform.

$72K
CompTIA Data+
$85K
AWS Cloud Practitioner

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature CompTIA Data+AWS Cloud Practitioner
Provider CompTIAAWS
Level EntryEntry
Exam Cost $358$100
Avg Salary $72,000$85,000
Pass Rate 75%85%
Study Hours 80h40h
Difficulty 4/103/10
Job Listings 12.0K35.0K

Our Verdict

AWS Cloud Practitioner is the faster, cheaper, and more broadly marketable credential — it costs less than a third of Data+ ($100 vs $358), requires half the study time (40 vs 80 hours), has a higher pass rate (85%), and opens doors to nearly three times as many job listings (35K vs 12K). Choose Data+ if you are specifically pursuing data analyst, business intelligence, or data governance roles. Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner if you want a quick entry into the cloud ecosystem with a clear upgrade path to associate-level AWS certifications.

Choose CompTIA Data+ if you...

  • Focus on CompTIA ecosystem and entry-level roles

Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner if you...

  • Want higher earning potential ($85K vs $72K avg)
  • Prefer a more accessible exam (85% pass rate)
  • Want a lower exam cost ($100 vs $358)
  • Want broader job market demand (35.0K listings)

Deep Dive Into Each Certification

CompTIA Data+

CompTIA · Entry · $72K avg

AWS Cloud Practitioner

AWS · Entry · $85K avg

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CompTIA Data+ worth it in 2025?
Data+ is worth it if you are targeting data-specific roles like data analyst, BI specialist, or data governance coordinator. It validates skills in data concepts, environments, visualization, and reporting that are directly applicable. However, if you are unsure about specializing in data, AWS Cloud Practitioner offers broader career flexibility at a lower cost.
Which is easier — Data+ or AWS Cloud Practitioner?
AWS Cloud Practitioner is easier by most metrics: higher pass rate (85% vs 75%), lower difficulty rating (3 vs 4), and half the required study hours (40 vs 80). It is designed as a foundational awareness exam. Data+ requires understanding statistical concepts, data manipulation, and visualization techniques, which adds complexity.

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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