Best Solutions Architect Certifications in 2026
Solutions architect credentials tend to score well for both salary and long-term technical credibility. This page emphasizes those factors.
How we ranked these certifications
We ranked these certifications using salary potential first, then job demand, remote-role potential, and overall accessibility.
Quick picks
Best Beginner Pick
Best Remote Fit
Rankings
#1 · TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Practitioner (10th Edition)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.65
Price: $435
Time: 60–120 hours
Salary: $120,000–$210,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#2 · TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Foundation (10th Edition)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.63
Price: $435
Time: 30–60 hours
Salary: $100,000–$185,000
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#3 · Certified Business Architect (CBA) – Business Architecture Guild
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.62
Price: Varies
Time: 60–120 hours
Salary: $105,000–$185,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 2
Remote: 8
#4 · FEAC Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.61
Price: Varies
Time: 60–120 hours
Salary: $110,000–$200,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 1
Remote: 7
#5 · Zachman Certified™ – Enterprise Architect (Zachman International)
Technology - Enterprise Architecture
Score: 0.61
Price: Varies
Time: 40–80 hours
Salary: $110,000–$200,000
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 1
Remote: 7
#6 · AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Cloud Architect (Associate)
Score: 0.43
Price: $150
Time: 80–140 hrs
Salary: $110k–$150k
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 5
Remote: 9
#7 · AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Cloud Architect (Professional)
Score: 0.41
Price: $300
Time: 150–220 hrs
Salary: $150k–$190k
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 5
Remote: 9
#8 · Google Professional Cloud Architect
Cloud Architect (Professional)
Score: 0.37
Price: $200
Time: 140–200 hrs
Salary: $140k–$185k
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 4
Remote: 8
#9 · Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Cloud Architect (Expert)
Score: 0.37
Price: $165 (Exam AZ‑305)
Time: 120–180 hrs
Salary: $140k–$180k
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 4
Remote: 8
Quick comparison table
| Certification | Category | Price | Time | Difficulty | Demand | Remote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Practitioner (10th Edition) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | $435 | 60–120 hours | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Foundation (10th Edition) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | $435 | 30–60 hours | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Certified Business Architect (CBA) – Business Architecture Guild | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | Varies | 60–120 hours | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| FEAC Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | Varies | 60–120 hours | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Zachman Certified™ – Enterprise Architect (Zachman International) | Technology - Enterprise Architecture | Varies | 40–80 hours | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate | Cloud Architect (Associate) | $150 | 80–140 hrs | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional | Cloud Architect (Professional) | $300 | 150–220 hrs | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Google Professional Cloud Architect | Cloud Architect (Professional) | $200 | 140–200 hrs | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert | Cloud Architect (Expert) | $165 (Exam AZ‑305) | 120–180 hrs | 4 | 4 | 8 |