Exploring training and certifications in the Salesforce universe
In the fast-moving world of Salesforce, keeping your expertise up-to-date is essential. Luckily for both professionals and companies in the Salesforce space, there are tons of accessible (and even fun!) ways to upskill in the world’s favorite CRM.
From self-paced learning platforms like Trailhead to official Salesforce certifications, there’s more than one way to show off your expertise. But training and certification aren’t just great ways to boost professional standing. They’re also a central part of employee satisfaction, making learning and development a key consideration for employers looking to hold onto their best talent.
In this section, we’ll take a look at what Salesforce professionals know, what accreditations they’re earning, and what kind of certifications are most highly valued in the market today.
What percentage of candidates hold a Salesforce certification?
- Have a certification
82%
- Do not have a certification
11%
-
Currently working towards
first certification
7%
- Have a certification
82%
- Do not have a certification
11%
-
Currently working towards
first certification
7%
- Have a certification
86%
- Do not have a certification
10%
-
Currently working towards
first certification
4%
The number of certified professionals is now 82%—up from 78% in 2022, and 76% in 2021.
Top Salesforce certifications held by candidates
| 1 | Salesforce Certified Administrator | 86% |
| 2 | Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder | 50% |
| 3 | Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I | 35% |
| 4 | Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant | 32% |
| 5 | Salesforce Certified Service Cloud Consultant | 28% |
| 6 | Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator | 26% |
| 7 | Salesforce Certified Sharing and Visibility Architect | 17% |
| 8 | Salesforce Certified Business Analyst | 15% |
| 9 | Salesforce Certified Data Architect | 14% |
| 10 | Salesforce Certified Application Architect and Salesforce Associate | 13% |
A whopping 97% of Salesforce certified pros are completing the Trailhead maintenance modules related to their certification.
What other certifications do professionals hold?
Only 6% of respondents hold either a MuleSoft (3%), Slack (2%), or Tableau (1%) certification.
- Top MuleSoft certification held: MuleSoft Certified Developer - Level 1
- Top Slack certification held: Slack Certified Admin
- Top Tableau certification held: Tableau Desktop Specialist
Does holding a Salesforce certification make you a more valuable professional?
- Yes
86%
- No
7%
- Not sure
7%
The majority (86%) of respondents with certifications believe they make you a more valuable candidate—this is up from 81% in our previous survey.
Maximizing value: How might certifications make candidates more valuable to employers?
Certifications provide employers with a benchmark of Salesforce skills
“Having a Salesforce certification is a standardized way of confirming knowledge in a particular product or area of expertise. It is not the only way and should be gained alongside experience, but it is proof to yourself and your employers that you know your stuff.”
Trainer, France
“Salesforce certs help quantify your level of understanding of the platform to prospective employers.”
Sales Operations, United States
“Holding a Salesforce certification indicates to colleagues that you can be expected to know the subject matter to a specific standard and for employers/clients to have more confidence in your abilities.”
Marketing Automation Consultant, Australia
“Gaining a certification allows you to prove your credibility amongst other applicants when applying for new positions.”
Solution Architect, United States
They're evidence that candidates have a certain level of Salesforce knowledge
“Having a Salesforce certification shows that you have a minimum level of competency in the subject matter.”
Systems Administrator, United States
“A Salesforce certification demonstrates that I have specific expertise in a Salesforce technology or solution. This type of certification validates my Salesforce ecosystem knowledge, skills, and comprehension. It also shows my commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. It can also help me find new job opportunities and increase my earning potential. Many employers prefer certified professionals because they are confident in their ability to work with Salesforce. Furthermore, certification can give professionals like me a competitive advantage when looking for work, especially in the highly competitive tech industry.”
Consultant, United Kingdom
They show dedication to learning more about Salesforce
“Gaining certification shows a commitment to professional development and can quickly let current and potential employers know you are serious about pursuing Salesforce as a career. Although, I do think having a demonstrated working knowledge of the products is more valuable in assessing one’s understanding of Salesforce.”
Consultant, United States
“Certification shows a level of determination to achieve a basic level of competence; there is no reason not to get one.”
Technical Architect, United Kingdom
Some employers require certifications
“Getting a cert is a way to prove your knowledge of a specific platform and is also a requirement by some employers.”
Business Analyst, United States
Certification increases my value with Salesforce Partners
“Having a Salesforce certification increases my value to consulting partners because it improves their partner rating metrics which Salesforce tracks.”
Technical Architect, United States
Certs provide you with knowledge you might not otherwise have
“Not only does having a certification provide confirmation to the outside world of your skills, but it also actually helps you to obtain a deeper knowledge of Salesforce. Certifications provide information on many topics that are rare to experience by doing implementations. So if you’re doing an implementation, and you know that these features exist, it makes you more capable of providing high-quality consulting.”
Functional Consultant, Netherlands
They give you a competitive edge against other candidates
“Obtaining a Salesforce cert makes me a more valuable professional as it validates my skills, gives me a competitive edge in the job market, and opens up broader career opportunities within the Salesforce ecosystem. It demonstrates my expertise, enhances my credibility, and connects me with a supportive community of professionals.”
Business Analyst, United States
For those lacking in experience, certifications can prove your level of knowledge
“A certification shows that you have a working knowledge of a feature—if not yet practical experience.”
Solution Architect, Australia
“I see certifications as an alternative to real-life experience for entry-level positions when transitioning into the Salesforce ecosystem. They are proof of my knowledge. and the time I have put into self-learning. Whereas, later on in your career, gaining more certificates shows a willingness to improve your knowledge and competence.”
Stocking Team Associate, United States
Summarizing the sceptics: Why don't respondents believe that certifications make candidates more valuable to employers?
Practical experience with Salesforce is more important
“Experience far outweighs the knowledge needed to achieve certification, but for someone lacking experience, I definitely think it’s better to be certified.”
Consultant, United States
“Certification has some value, but it’s not everything. It might act as an entry ticket to interviews but won’t get you through the process alone, as gaining some working experience is important. There are alternative ways to prove your knowledge and showcase your talent.”
Developer, United Kingdom
Having a certification is not proof of ability
“Obtaining certifications does not guarantee that an individual has the practical skills and experience to effectively utilize the Salesforce platform in a real-world setting.”
Product owner, United States
“I’ve met too many certified consultants without knowledge of the product they’re certified in.”
Functional Lead, Australia
“I have hired many Salesforce professionals and found little correlation between having a cert and being skilled on that subject.”
Program Manager, United States
“Certifications don’t adequately reflect whether someone can do the job. I have worked with highly certified individuals who were of low utility.”
Systems Solutions Specialist, Operations, United States
I believe that holding a cert only shows that you are good at taking exams
“Salesforce certification tests prove that you can read a book and select the correct answers—it does not prove you can actually do the work.”
Technical Lead, United States
“Salesforce certification questions are checking if I know by memory the documentation, not if I am able to solve problems leveraging the platform.”
Consultant, Canada
“It shows your ability to take a test and be aware of the platform features. They look good on a resume to get it past recruiting, but other than that, it doesn’t show what you can actually do.”
Developer/Programmer, Canada
“I believe knowing and studying for the questions encountered in the exams is not as valuable as the hands-on job experience one gains through using Salesforce.”
Consultant, United States
What are the main benefits you can gain from undertaking a certification?
| 1 | A way to verify my skills with Salesforce products | 54% |
| 2 | Better career progression opportunities | 53% |
| 3 | Recognition from my employer that my skills adhere to a professional standard | 44% |
| 4 | Better marketability to employers/enhanced professional profile | 40% |
| 5 | Increased efficiency at my job | 38% |
| 6 | Improved and increased industry knowledge | 37% |
| 7 | Added skills and value to my organization | 37% |
| 8 | More trust from my employer | 37% |
| 9 | More respect from co-workers | 33% |
| 10 | A transferable industry qualification | 28% |
How does gaining a certification impact on your salary?
- I believe my salary has increased since gaining a certification
59%
- I haven't noticed a change in my salary since gaining a certification
41%
Those who reported earning a salary increase post-certification received an average raise of 20%, that’s an increase of 1% from our last survey.
Expert Insight
Amit Chaudhary is a Salesforce Principal Architect and Salesforce MVP since 2017. He holds 20 Salesforce certifications, is also a Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) and is the co-founder of community events like Apex Hours and Virtual Dreamin.
“You don’t just have to take Salesforce’s certifications as a way to increase your knowledge of the platform. Trailhead and Salesforce’s own YouTube channel are both brilliant resources that will cover everything you’ll ever need, and there are plenty of other blogs that also offer lots of learning. However, look for employers that will contribute towards the cost of your certifications. As well as increasing your skill set as a Salesforce professional, it’ll also make you more valuable to your current and potential employers as you progress through your career.”
Are employers contributing towards the cost of certifications?
- Yes, they paid for my certifications in full
61%
- Yes, they partially paid for my certifications
13%
- No, I paid for my certifications
24%
- Other
2%
- Yes, they paid for my certifications in full
53%
- Yes, they partially paid for my certifications
13%
- No, I paid for my certifications
31%
- Other
2%
- Yes, they paid for my certifications in full
69%
- Yes, they partially paid for my certifications
16%
- No, I paid for my certifications
14%
- Other
1%
What Salesforce certifications can boost your pay?
Salesforce Certified Technical Architect
Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I
Salesforce Certified Application Architect
| Salesforce Certified System Architect | 21% |
| Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II | 21% |
| Salesforce Certified CPQ Specialist | 17% |
| Salesforce Certified Integration Architect | 14% |
| Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator | 13% |
| Salesforce Certified Administrator | 13% |
| Salesforce Certified B2B Solution Architect | 13% |
Expert Insight
Ben Ostrowski, President of Mason Frank Canada, sat down with Matt Maguire (a.k.a. Canada’s most-certified Salesforce professional!) to discuss Salesforce certifications and how they can impact your earning potential.
What motivates a Salesforce professional to get certified?
We also asked those professionals who are not currently certified or actively pursuing a certification what would encourage them to undertake a one. Considering the current high cost of living, it is not surprising that the primary responses revolve around the financial aspect and the value of certifications. The thing that would encourage most respondents would be employer funding for certs, followed by the prospect of a salary boost upon getting certified.
| Employer funding for certifications | 45% |
| The promise of a pay increase after gaining certification | 45% |
| The incentive of a promotion or a new role after gaining certification | 37% |
| Paid time off to attend training or study | 36% |
| The opportunity to learn new skills | 30% |
| If it was a requirement of my role | 30% |
| Discounted certifications | 23% |
| None of the above | 14% |
| Other | 2% |
What are the barriers to achieving a certification?
Interestingly, 38% (down from 43% in our last survey) of professionals have previously begun studying for a certification but stopped before taking the exam. Reasons given for not sitting the exam include:
‘Other’ responses include missing the exam time and being unable to afford to reschedule, and a change in career direction.
Conclusion
With the number of certified Salesforce professionals climbing for the third consecutive year, official accreditations continue to play an important role in the career development of those working with the platform.
A massive 82% of our respondents held a Salesforce certification, up from 76% in 2021. There are a number of possible reasons behind this increase. Firstly, the Salesforce ecosystem has positioned itself as a substantial job creator in recent years, and has made appeals to those outside of the tech industry to cross-train into CRM roles. Those entering the Salesforce space from another field are likely to see certifications as a good way to develop and prove their knowledge as a budding Salesforce professional.
Also motivated by the potential growth in job roles, existing Salesforce professionals may be keen to upskill and earn additional certifications in order to stand them in good stead to land more senior roles that may be created as a result of the influx of new talent. And with 86% of respondents believing that certifications make you more valuable, it’s likely that many professionals are looking for a way to up their earning power in a challenging economic climate.
Whatever the motivation for getting certified, there’s a clear appetite for earning accreditations; something businesses should take into account when developing their own hiring and retention strategies.
Why not explore even more of our content:
Skills and experience
Explore the skill sets and experience of the Salesforce universe
Where to go to learn about Salesforce
We look into resources you can use to supercharge your professional development
Our key findings report contains highlights from this year’s Careers and Hiring Guide, plus our salary tables allow you to compare your salary or benchmark your teams’ salaries no matter their role in the Salesforce ecosystem.
Our key findings report contains highlights from this year’s Careers and Hiring Guide, plus our salary tables allow you to compare your salary or benchmark your teams’ salaries no matter their role in the Salesforce ecosystem.
