Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $165
- Issuing body
- Microsoft
- Domain
- IT, cloud & cybersecurity
- Validity
- 1 year (renew free)
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification is an Associate-level role-based credential offered by Microsoft. The official exam fee is $165 for a single attempt. This fee covers only the exam itself and does not include third-party training courses, study materials, practice tests, or retake attempts. Candidates requiring additional attempts or instructional resources should budget separately for those expenses. The fee listed here was verified as of June 2026 and is subject to change; candidates should confirm the current fee directly with Microsoft's official certification website before budgeting or registering.
The Network and Computer Systems Administrators occupation, a common target role for this certification, carries a median annual wage of $96,800 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure represents the median wage across the occupation and should not be construed as a guaranteed salary, expected raise, or promised outcome of obtaining the AZ-104 credential. For complete information on exam eligibility, fees, scheduling, and renewal requirements, candidates should consult Microsoft's official certification page.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $96,800 (typically $60,320–$150,320 from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Network and Computer Systems Administrators, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) |
| Issuing body | Microsoft |
| Base exam fee | $165 |
| Fee notes | Associate role-based |
| Prerequisites | 6 mo Azure admin experience recommended |
| Validity / renewal | 1 year (renew free) |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare IT, cloud & cybersecurity certs →