How to Become a Certified Kubernetes Administrator

Becoming a Certified Kubernetes Administrator means earning a credential from the Linux Foundation that validates your ability to manage administrator tasks in Kubernetes. This certification may be appropriate if you’re considering a role where you can work with Kubernetes, such as a Kubernetes administrator, a cloud operations manager, or an infrastructure engineer.

Cloud adoption is quickly encompassing all industries, with projections estimating that 90 percent of companies will be using cloud or hybrid cloud environments by 2027, contributing to a 20.4 percent compounded annual growth of the worldwide cloud computing market through 2030 [1, 2]. As an industry-standard solution for packaging applications as they move to and from cloud environments, Kubernetes is a forward-thinking skill that can help you prepare for in-demand roles over the coming years.

Learn more about roles working in Kubernetes, the Kubernetes certification path, and how to prepare for your exam. 

What is Kubernetes?

Kubernetes is a platform you can use for containerization, a method of bundling the files and applications you need for a program. For example, you may include dependencies in your software, such as runtimes or libraries that make your software functional in isolated environments. When you package these dependencies in a container, users can run your software without having to install these resources on their local machine. 

Google developed this open-source software program, which is the standard for containerization. Using it can help you manage containers that can automate and manage load balancing, security, and service delivery.

What is a Certified Kubernetes Administrator?

A Certified Kubernetes Administrator is a professional who has earned certification in Kubernetes administration. The Linux Foundation, in conjunction with the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, offers the Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification to help you validate your ability to manage administrator tasks on the Kubernetes command line. Earning this qualification can help you demonstrate your skills for a role as a Kubernetes administrator or related roles like Cloud operations manager or infrastructure engineer. 

In a position as a Kubernetes administrator, you will use Kubernetes to manage the configuration and deployment of cloud-native applications. You may build Kubernetes clusters, implement automation, configure container security, and help other members of your team troubleshoot and understand containerization best practices. 

What is the Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification?

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification is offered through a partnership between the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. The Linux Foundation is a non-profit organization for developers that offers open-source projects like software and hardware, events for developers to network and share ideas, industry-relevant research, and more. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) is a project that’s part of the Linux Foundation and focuses specifically on projects native to the cloud, including Kubernetes. Together, they provide the Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification to validate an industry-standard level of competence working on the Kubernetes command line. 

Exam topics

The exam covers Kubernetes administrator topics, including storage (10 percent of the exam), troubleshooting (30 percent), workloads and scheduling (15 percent), clusters (25 percent), and services and networking (20 percent). You’ll complete 15 to 20 tasks using Kubernetes throughout the two hours you have to finish the exam. You will need to check the system requirements to make sure that you have the right equipment to take the online proctored exam. 

• Storage: One to two of the tasks on the exam fall into this category. They may include implementing storage classes, configuring volume types, and managing persistent volume claims. 

• Troubleshooting: Four to six of the exam’s tasks fall into this category. You may have to troubleshoot clusters, nodes, or cluster components, manage container output streams, or troubleshoot services. 

• Workloads and scheduling: Another two to three exam tasks require you to perform actions such as configuring autoscaling, performing rolling updates, or configuring applications or Pod admission.

• Cluster architecture, installation, and configuration: Three to five tasks may include preparing the infrastructure for cluster installation, managing a cluster lifecycle, or installing cluster components. 

• Services and networking: Three to four tasks may include managing ingress traffic or using various service types. 

Kubernetes certification path

Depending on your career goals, you can consider several other Kubernetes certifications, including Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA), Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA), Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), and Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS). Each certification validates a different facet of Kubernetes mastery. 

• KNCA: This certification demonstrates that you have a foundational level of skill working with Kubernetes and cloud native systems; appropriate for professionals like a Kubernetes administrator or cloud native engineer. 

• KCSA: This certification demonstrates that you have foundational knowledge of cloud security technologies and how cloud security relates to Kubernetes; appropriate for professionals in roles like a Kubernetes security engineer or cluster administrator. 

• CKAD: This certification validates your ability to design, build, monitor, and troubleshoot cloud-native applications using Kubernetes; appropriate for professionals in roles like software engineer or cloud-native application developer. 

• CKS: This certificate demonstrates your ability to secure Kubernetes-based applications and requires that you pass the Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam as a prerequisite; it is appropriate for security engineers or Kubernetes cluster security specialists. 

Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam cost and requirements

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam costs $445, and you do not need to complete any prerequisites before taking this exam [3]. You will, however, need to make sure that your computer meets the system requirements to access the online proctored exam. 

After paying for the exam, you will have up to 12 months of eligibility to take the exam. You may retake the exam one time for no additional cost. After earning your certificate, it will be good for two years. To recertify after your certification expires, you will need to retake the CKA exam. 

Certified Kubernetes Administrator salary

Becoming a Certified Kubernetes Administrator can help you increase your salary. For example, according to Payscale, the average salary for a skill in Kubernetes is $126,000 [4]. Although the US Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t specifically track Kubernetes administrators, the job exists somewhere in the field of computer information technology careers, a field with above-average growth anticipated in the coming years. 

Who should get a Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification?

You may decide to earn your Certified Kubernetes Administrator credential if you plan to become a Kubernetes administrator, a cloud operations manager, or an infrastructure engineer. Or, you may decide to take the CKA if you plan to go on and earn your Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist certification to become a security engineer or Kubernetes cluster security specialist.

Kubernetes administrator

Average base annual salary in the US (Glassdoor): $82,841 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [6]

As a Kubernetes administrator, you will design and implement containerization solutions using Kubernetes, including implementing Kubernetes clusters, configuring hardware, managing devices, deploying cloud-based applications, and monitoring Kubernetes environments. You may also look for ways to automate the containerization process. 

Cloud operations manager

Average annual salary in the US (Glassdoor): $121,321 [7] 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [8]

As a cloud operations manager, you will monitor and maintain cloud-based systems relating to your company’s IT infrastructure or assets. In this role, you may work as part of the DevOps team, or you may work with other teams, such as a cloud service provider. 

Infrastructure engineer

Average annual salary in the US (Glassdoor): $111,718 [9]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 7 percent [10]

As an infrastructure engineer, you will help design and build infrastructure to support your company’s IT operations. You may troubleshoot and maintain systems or work with clients to design custom-built solutions. 

Prepare to become a Certified Kubernetes Administrator on Coursera

The Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification can help you demonstrate your skills working with and maintaining solutions for containerization using Kubernetes. You can learn more about working with Kubernetes or prepare for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam on Coursera in programs like the IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate. In this Professional Certificate, you can learn to build applications and deploy them using containers, in addition to working with tools like Chef and Puppet for automation, continuous improvement, and continuous deployment.

You may also want to explore the course Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Google Cloud Developer Professional Certificate. In this class, you can choose from and learn to use application deployment environments like Google Kubernetes Engine on Google Cloud. You can also learn about techniques for working with infrastructure and application performance in Google Cloud.