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The majority (86%) of respondents’ with certifications believe they make you a more valuable candidate—this is up from 81% in our previous survey.
The majority (86%) of respondents’ with certifications believe they make you a more valuable candidate—this is up from 81% in our previous survey.
The majority (86%) of respondents’ with certifications believe they make you a more valuable candidate—this is up from 81% in our previous survey.
The majority (86%) of respondents’ with certifications believe they make you a more valuable candidate—this is up from 81% in our previous survey.
Top 10 Salesforce products, apps, and connectors that candidates are experienced with
Salesforce Sales Cloud
Salesforce Service Cloud
Salesforce Chatter
| Salesforce Experience Cloud (formerly Salesforce Community Cloud) | 51% |
| Salesforce Platform (formerly Force.com) | 44% |
| Slack | 43% |
| Salesforce Marketing Cloud | 34% |
| Salesforce Einstein | 27% |
| Tableau CRM/Salesforce Analytics (formerly Salesforce Einstein Analytics) | 22% |
| Salesforce Essentials | 21% |
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
Exploring training and certifications in the Salesforce universe
Discover the skills you need to master to excel with Salesforce
Insights for employers and hiring managers: Recruiting and keeping talent
Read the comprehensive guide to attracting and keeping skilled Salesforce professionals
The digital skills gap
Explore the consequences of the skills shortage
Maximizing value: How might certifications make candidates more valuable to employers?
Certifications provide employers with a benchmark of Salesforce skills
“Having a Salesforce certification gives a standardized way of confirming knowledge of 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 gives a standardized way of confirming knowledge of 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 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
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
“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
Maximizing value: How might certifications make candidates more valuable to employers?
Certifications provide employers with a benchmark of Salesforce skills
“Having a Salesforce certification gives a standardized way of confirming knowledge of 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 gives a standardized way of confirming knowledge of 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 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
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
“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
Maximizing value: How might certifications make candidates more valuable to employers?
Certifications provide employers with a benchmark of Salesforce skills
“Having a Salesforce certification gives a standardized way of confirming knowledge of 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 gives a standardized way of confirming knowledge of 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 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
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
“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
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.
Read more from Amit about using community groups to build your knowledge of Salesforce
How do employees rate their job satisfaction year over year?
- Satisfied
- Neutral
- Dissatisfied
2023
| 71% | 18% | 11% |
|---|
2022
| 75% | 15% | 10% |
|---|
2021
| 73% | 18% | 9% |
|---|
2020
| 69% | 21% | 10% |
|---|
2019
| 63% | 24% | 13% |
|---|
2023
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 71% | 18% | 11% |
2022
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 75% | 15% | 10% |
2021
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 73% | 18% | 9% |
2020
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 69% | 21% | 10% |
2019
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 63% | 24% | 13% |
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.
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.
Is a degree necessary for a career in Salesforce?
- Yes
33%
- No
58%
- Not sure
9%
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 motivates a Salesforce professional to get certified?
| Answer | % |
|---|---|
| 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 motivates a Salesforce professional to get certified?
| Answer | % |
|---|---|
| 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% |
How satisfied are employees?
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleagues | 80% | 16% | 5% |
| Working hours | 78% | 15% | 7% |
| Benefits | 75% | 15% | 10% |
| Work-life balance | 75% | 14% | 11% |
| Company culture | 68% | 19% | 12% |
| Career progression | 59% | 25% | 17% |
| Training and development | 59% | 26% | 15% |
Colleagues
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 80% | 16% | 5% |
Working hours
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 78% | 15% | 7% |
Benefits
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 75% | 15% | 10% |
Work-life balance
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 75% | 14% | 11% |
Company culture
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 68% | 19% | 12% |
Career progression
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 59% | 25% | 17% |
Training and development
| Satisfied | Neutral | Dissatisfied |
|---|---|---|
| 59% | 26% | 15% |
Executive summary
Welcome to the latest edition of Mason Frank’s Careers and Hiring Guide—the ultimate resource for career insights, hiring trends, and salaries in the Salesforce ecosystem
Respondent-recommended resources
Official Salesforce material
| % | Permanent | Contract | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Have a certification | 43% | 46% | 21% |
| Do not have a certification | 41% | 39% | 59% |
| Currently working towards first certification | 16% | 15% | 21% |
| Currently working towards first certification | 16% | 15% | 21% |
| Currently working towards first certification | 16% | 15% | 21% |
| Currently working towards first certification | 16% | 15% | 21% |
Have a certification
| % | Permanent | Contract |
|---|---|---|
| 43% | 46% | 21% |
Do not have a certification
| % | Permanent | Contract |
|---|---|---|
| 41% | 39% | 59% |
Currently working towards first certification
| % | Permanent | Contract |
|---|---|---|
| 16% | 15% | 21% |
| Answer | % |
|---|---|
| The promise of a pay increase after gaining certification | 59% |
| Employer funding for certifications | 48% |
| The incentive to learn new skills | 44% |
| End user employer answer | % |
|---|---|
| The promise of a pay increase after gaining certification | 59% |
| Employer funding for certifications | 48% |
| The incentive to learn new skills | 44% |
| Partner employers answer | % |
|---|---|
| The promise of a pay increase after gaining certification | 59% |
| Employer funding for certifications | 48% |
| The incentive to learn new skills | 44% |
All
| Answer | % |
|---|---|
| The promise of a pay increase after gaining certification | 59% |
| Employer funding for certifications | 48% |
| The incentive to learn new skills | 44% |
End user employers
| End user employer answer | % |
|---|---|
| The promise of a pay increase after gaining certification | 59% |
| Employer funding for certifications | 48% |
| The incentive to learn new skills | 44% |
Partner employers
| Partner employers answer | % |
|---|---|
| The promise of a pay increase after gaining certification | 59% |
| Employer funding for certifications | 48% |
| The incentive to learn new skills | 44% |
Download the Key FIndings report
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