Why New Admins Should Get Certified with Salesforce (2025-2026)

Salesforce powers businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. As a new administrator, you’re probably asking: Is Salesforce Admin certification worth it? The answer is a resounding yes! Here’s the reality: in 2025-2026, certifications have shifted from “nice to have” to “must have” for Salesforce administrators. Think of it like showing up to a job interview—you can show up without a resume, but you won’t get far.

Is Salesforce Admin Certification Worth It?

Absolutely. Here’s why, with 2025-2026 data:

• Increased job opportunities: Salesforce certification is a valuable credential that can help you get a job as a Salesforce administrator. According to 2025 market research, 80% of hiring managers prefer to hire certified candidates, and many job postings now require certifications as a minimum qualification.

• Higher salary: Salesforce certified administrators earn an average of $10,000-$20,000 more per year than non-certified administrators. With average salaries around $98,000 for certified admins, the certification investment of $200 pays for itself within the first few months.

• ROI: With exam costs around $200 and 60-80 hours of study time, the typical salary increase results in a payback period of just a few months. The return on investment is exceptional.

• Improved skills: Salesforce certification forces you to dig deeper into the platform. You’ll discover features you never knew existed and understand the “why” behind best practices. This isn’t just about passing a test—it’s about building real expertise that makes you indispensable to your team.

• Access to training and resources: Salesforce offers a variety of training and resources to help certified administrators stay up-to-date on the latest features and functionality. This helps you be more effective in your role and learn new skills.

• Market reality: In 2025-2026, the Salesforce administrator market is crowded and competitive. Certifications are often used by employers as filters to manage the volume of applicants. Without certification, your resume may not even be considered.

If you are a new administrator, I highly recommend getting certified with Salesforce. It is a valuable investment that can help you improve your career prospects and increase your earning potential. For detailed study strategies, see our Salesforce Certification Study Hints guide.

Here are some additional tips for getting certified with Salesforce:

• Start by taking the Salesforce Trailhead courses. The Trailhead courses are a great way to learn the basics of Salesforce and to prepare for the certification exam.
• Join a Salesforce user group. Salesforce user groups are a great way to network with other Salesforce professionals and to get help with Salesforce certification.
• Take practice exams. There are a number of practice exams available online that can help you to assess your readiness for the certification exam.
• Don’t give up! The Salesforce certification exam is challenging, but it is definitely achievable with hard work and dedication.

For more comprehensive information on the benefits of Salesforce certifications, career impact, certification roadmaps, and detailed ROI analysis, see our guide on the importance of Salesforce certifications, which includes a complete section answering “Is Salesforce Admin Certification Worth It?” with 2025-2026 market data.

How to Get Certified with Salesforce

Here are the steps on how to get certified with Salesforce:

1. Choose a certification path. Salesforce offers a variety of certification paths, each focusing on a different area of Salesforce expertise. The most popular certification path for new administrators is the Salesforce Administrator Certification.

2. Meet the prerequisites. Each certification path has specific prerequisites. The Salesforce Administrator Certification requires hands-on experience with Salesforce and completion of relevant Trailhead modules.

3. Study for the exam. There are numerous resources available to help you study for the certification exam in 2025-2026:

   • Trailhead - Free certification preparation paths
   • Focus on Force Study Guide - Comprehensive study materials
   • Apex Hours Courses - Video courses and tutorials
   • Salesforce Practice Exam - Free official practice test
   • See our Salesforce Certification Study Hints for effective study techniques

4. Register for the exam. Once prepared, register for the certification exam. Exams are offered online and at Pearson Vue testing centers. Cost is $200 (plus potential retake fees).

5. Take the exam. The certification exam is a multiple-choice exam covering a wide range of Salesforce topics. The exam is 105 minutes long and consists of 60 questions (updated format for 2025).

6. Pass the exam. To pass, you must score at least 65%. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam after a waiting period.

Once you have passed the certification exam, you will be awarded the Salesforce certification. The Salesforce certification is a valuable credential that can help you to get a job as a Salesforce administrator, earn a higher salary, and improve your skills and knowledge of Salesforce.

Here are some additional tips for getting certified with Salesforce:

• Start early. It takes time to learn the material and to prepare for the certification exam. I recommend starting your preparation at least 6 months before the exam.
• Create a study schedule. Create a study schedule and stick to it. This will help you to stay on track and to make sure that you are covering all of the material.
• Find a study buddy. Studying with a friend or colleague can help you to stay motivated and to learn more effectively.
• Don’t give up! The Salesforce certification exam is challenging, but it is definitely achievable with hard work and dedication.

How to Save Money on Salesforce Certifications

Dreamforce

Dreamforce is the world’s largest Salesforce conference, and it is a great place to learn about Salesforce and to get certified. Salesforce offers a number of discounts on certification exams at Dreamforce, including:

• Early bird discount: If you register for the exam before the conference, you will receive a 20% discount.
• Group discount: If you register for the exam with a group of people, you will receive a 10% discount.
• Student discount: If you are a student, you will receive a 50% discount.

TrailheadX

TrailheadX is a global event that brings together Trailblazers from around the world to learn, connect, and collaborate. Salesforce offers a number of discounts on certification exams at TrailheadX, including:

• Early bird discount: If you register for the exam before the event, you will receive a 20% discount.
• Group discount: If you register for the exam with a group of people, you will receive a 10% discount.
• Student discount: If you are a student, you will receive a 50% discount.

In addition to the discounts offered by Salesforce, there are a number of other ways to get certified for cheaper. For example, you can:

• Look for discounts on exam vouchers: There are a number of websites that sell exam vouchers at a discount.
• Take advantage of free training: Salesforce offers a number of free training resources, including Trailhead and the Salesforce documentation.
• Get help from a mentor: A mentor can help you to study for the exam and to prepare for the certification process.

By taking advantage of these discounts and resources, you can get certified with Salesforce for less money.

Related Articles

• The Importance of Salesforce Certifications - Comprehensive guide including “Is Salesforce Admin Certification Worth It?” with 2025-2026 ROI data
• Salesforce Certification Study Hints - Effective study techniques and preparation strategies
• Earn a Living as a Salesforce Administrator - Career guide with 2025-2026 market insights