MS-102 vs MD-102 Salary: Career Opportunities and Job Roles Compared

MS-102 and MD-102 both belong to the Microsoft 365 certification ecosystem, but they prepare professionals for different types of administration roles. MS-102 focuses on broad Microsoft 365 tenant administration, identity, security, and compliance, while MD-102 focuses specifically on endpoint management through Microsoft Intune and related Microsoft technologies.

That difference also affects the jobs each exam supports. MS-102 aligns more closely with Microsoft 365 administrator, cloud administrator, identity, security, and enterprise collaboration responsibilities. MD-102 is more directly connected with endpoint administration, Intune, Windows device management, application deployment, and modern workplace roles.

Candidates preparing for the broader Microsoft 365 administrator path can use MS-102 exam questions for exam-focused review alongside Microsoft Learn, practical tenant administration, Entra ID, Defender XDR, and Microsoft Purview labs.

There is also an important 2026 change: Microsoft has officially scheduled MS-102 and the Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert certification to retire on November 30, 2026. MD-102 and the Endpoint Administrator Associate certification remain active and were updated in July 2026.

MS-102 vs MD-102 at a Glance

What Is MS-102?

MS-102 is the Microsoft 365 Administrator exam.

It is designed for professionals who manage Microsoft 365 at the tenant level across cloud and hybrid environments. Microsoft describes the administrator as an integrating hub who works across multiple workloads and coordinates with identity, security, compliance, endpoint, infrastructure, and application teams.

Current MS-102 skills include:

• Microsoft 365 tenant administration
• Microsoft Entra identity and access
• Microsoft Defender XDR
• Threat protection
• Microsoft Purview
• Compliance
• Data loss prevention
• User and group administration

Microsoft recommends knowledge of networking, Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, and PowerShell.

What Is MD-102?

MD-102 is the exam for Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate.

Its focus is much more specialized.

Microsoft expects endpoint administrators to manage devices and applications at scale using technologies including:

• Microsoft Intune
• Microsoft Intune Suite
• Windows Autopilot
• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
• Microsoft Entra ID
• PowerShell
• Microsoft Graph
• Windows 365

The July 24, 2026 update also added stronger emphasis on agentic tools and workflows, automation, monitoring, reporting, and endpoint optimization.

MS-102 vs MD-102 Job Roles

The strongest difference between these certifications appears in the responsibilities associated with each role.

MS-102 Career Roles

MS-102 knowledge can align with roles such as:

• Microsoft 365 Administrator
• Microsoft 365 Engineer
• Cloud Administrator
• Microsoft 365 Consultant
• Collaboration Administrator
• Identity Administrator
• Security Administrator
• Enterprise IT Administrator

These professionals tend to work across the Microsoft 365 environment rather than concentrating only on user devices.

MD-102 Career Roles

MD-102 aligns more directly with:

• Endpoint Administrator
• Intune Administrator
• Modern Workplace Engineer
• Desktop Engineer
• Endpoint Management Engineer
• EUC Engineer
• Device Management Specialist
• Microsoft 365 Endpoint Engineer

These positions usually involve hands-on responsibility for device deployment, policies, security, applications, updates, and endpoint health.

MS-102 vs MD-102 Salary

Neither Microsoft exam creates a fixed salary.

There is no official MS-102 salary or MD-102 salary published by Microsoft.

Compensation depends primarily on:

• Job title
• Experience
• Location
• Industry
• Employer
• Technical responsibilities
• Security expertise
• Cloud knowledge
• Seniority

For useful context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that network and computer systems administrators earned a median annual wage of $99,130 in May 2025. The highest 10% earned more than $155,050.

Computer network support specialists had a median annual wage of $76,220, while computer user support specialists earned a median of $61,860 in May 2025.

These are occupation-level figures and should not be interpreted as salaries guaranteed by either Microsoft certification.

Which Certification Has Better Salary Potential?

MS-102 has historically aligned with broader and potentially more senior Microsoft 365 administration responsibilities.

A professional responsible for:

• Tenant-wide administration
• Identity
• Security
• Compliance
• Defender
• Purview
• Enterprise governance

may progress toward higher-level Microsoft 365 administration or architecture responsibilities.

MD-102 can also lead to strong compensation, particularly for experienced professionals managing large Intune estates, endpoint security, automation, Windows 365, and enterprise device fleets.

The deciding factor is normally the scope of your role, not the exam code.

Skills Compared

Which Exam Is More Difficult?

Both are intermediate-to-advanced role-based exams, but the difficulty comes from different areas.

MS-102 Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

MS-102 is broad.

Candidates must understand:

• Microsoft 365
• Entra ID
• Security
• Defender XDR
• Purview
• Compliance
• PowerShell

The breadth of the ecosystem makes preparation challenging.

MD-102 Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

MD-102 is narrower but technically deep.

Candidates need practical knowledge of:

• Intune
• Windows deployment
• Autopilot
• Compliance policies
• Configuration profiles
• App deployment
• Defender for Endpoint
• Endpoint security
• PowerShell
• Microsoft Graph

Someone who works with Intune every day may find MD-102 easier than MS-102.

A compact visual guide has been published on Cert Empire’s Instagram. 

Should You Take MS-102 in 2026?

This decision now depends heavily on timing.

Microsoft officially states that MS-102 will retire on November 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time. The Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert certification is retiring on the same date.

Therefore, MS-102 can still make sense if:

• You are already close to completing the Administrator Expert path.
• Your employer specifically requires it.
• You can complete all certification requirements before retirement.
• You already invested substantial time in MS-102 preparation.

It is less attractive as a brand-new long-term certification path because Microsoft is moving toward newer AI-enabled Microsoft 365 administration credentials.

Should You Take MD-102 in 2026?

MD-102 has a clearer long-term position.

The Endpoint Administrator Associate credential remains active and was updated on July 24, 2026.

It is particularly worthwhile if you work with:

• Microsoft Intune
• Windows endpoints
• Microsoft Entra ID
• Windows Autopilot
• Defender for Endpoint
• Windows 365
• Enterprise device security

Microsoft certifications at this level renew every 12 months, with renewal available through a free Microsoft Learn assessment.

Which Is Better for Microsoft 365 Administrators?

Historically, MS-102 was the stronger choice for broad Microsoft 365 administration.

However, because MS-102 retires in November 2026, candidates beginning a new certification plan should carefully evaluate Microsoft’s newer certification direction rather than automatically starting the retiring path.

For professionals focused specifically on endpoint administration, MD-102 remains the clearer choice.

Which Is Better for Intune Careers?

MD-102 wins clearly.

The certification directly covers Microsoft Intune and endpoint-management responsibilities.

Choose MD-102 if your daily work involves:

• Device enrollment
• Configuration profiles
• Compliance
• Application deployment
• Autopilot
• Endpoint security
• Remote device actions
• Updates
• Device health

This is much closer to the actual endpoint administrator role.

Which Is Better for Security?

It depends on the type of security work.

Choose MS-102 for broader:

• Microsoft 365 security
• Defender XDR
• Identity
• Compliance
• Purview
• Tenant-level governance

Choose MD-102 for:

• Endpoint protection
• Device compliance
• Defender for Endpoint
• Security baselines
• Application protection
• Endpoint security policies

Best Career Choice in 2026

Choose MS-102 if you are already on the Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert path and can complete it before November 30, 2026.

Choose MD-102 if your career centers on:

• Endpoint management
• Microsoft Intune
• Modern workplace engineering
• Windows deployment
• Enterprise device security

For someone starting fresh after late 2026, MD-102 has a clearer continuing certification path.

Conclusion

MS-102 and MD-102 can both support strong Microsoft careers, but they lead toward different responsibilities.

MS-102 is broader, covering Microsoft 365 tenant administration, Entra ID, Defender XDR, security, and compliance.

MD-102 is more specialized, focusing on Microsoft Intune, endpoint deployment, Windows devices, applications, security, automation, and device operations.

From a salary perspective, neither certification guarantees a particular income. Professionals with broader tenant-level responsibilities may progress into more senior Microsoft 365 roles, while experienced MD-102 professionals can build valuable careers in endpoint engineering and modern workplace management.

The biggest consideration in 2026 is timing: MS-102 retires on November 30, 2026, while MD-102 remains active.

If endpoint administration is your chosen path, Cert Empire also provides MD-102 exam questions for exam-focused preparation alongside Microsoft Learn, Intune labs, Autopilot practice, PowerShell, and hands-on endpoint management.

FAQs

Which pays more, MS-102 or MD-102?

There is no fixed salary for either exam. MS-102 has historically aligned with broader Microsoft 365 responsibilities, while MD-102 aligns with specialized endpoint and Intune roles.

Is MS-102 retiring in 2026?

Yes. Microsoft has scheduled MS-102 and the Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert certification to retire on November 30, 2026.

Is MD-102 still active in 2026?

Yes. MD-102 remains active, and its exam objectives were updated in July 2026 to include newer endpoint, automation, monitoring, and agentic administration skills.

Is MD-102 good for Intune administrators?

Yes. MD-102 directly covers Microsoft Intune, Autopilot, endpoint security, applications, Windows 365, Entra ID, PowerShell, and Microsoft Graph.

Which is harder, MS-102 or MD-102?

Both can be moderately difficult to hard. MS-102 is broader across Microsoft 365, identity, security, and compliance, while MD-102 requires deeper practical endpoint and Intune knowledge.