Salary · IT & Cloud
Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) salary: what it pays (2026)
Indicative pay ranges for roles that commonly value AZ-305 - broken down by role and by market. These are orientation figures, not a salary survey, so use them to compare and plan, then verify for your own city and year.
Indicative ranges for orientation only - not surveyed data, and not financial or career advice.
What AZ-305 tends to pay
Azure solutions architects in the US commonly report indicative pay around ~$130k-180k, rising with seniority. AZ-305 is an expert-level credential typically tied to architect roles, so the band sits well above associate administrator pay.
Pay by role (indicative)
| Azure Solutions Architect | ~$130k-165k |
|---|---|
| Cloud Architect | ~$140k-185k |
| Senior Solutions Architect | ~$155k-190k |
| Lead / Principal Architect | ~$170k-210k+ |
Bands are indicative US figures unless stated. Actual pay depends on experience, employer, city and year.
Other markets (indicative)
| United Kingdom | ~£65k-100k |
|---|---|
| Canada | ~CA$110k-160k |
Jobs that often ask for it
- Azure Solutions Architect
- Cloud Architect
- Enterprise Architect
- Cloud Infrastructure Architect
- Solutions Architect
Weigh the pay against the cost
Salary is only half the picture. Before you commit, check what AZ-305 actually costs to sit and maintain, and where it can take you over a career.
- See the full fee breakdown in the AZ-305 cost and overview (exam fee, retake, materials and renewal).
- Estimate your total spend, including a possible retake, with our exam cost calculator.
Where AZ-305 leads (with a pay ladder)
These career paths show how pay typically climbs stage by stage, and where AZ-305 fits on the way up: