Job Descriptions

Salesforce Administrator

A Salesforce administrator is responsible for maintaining the Salesforce system’s functionality after it has been implemented in a company. Not only do administrators manage the day-to-day tasks related to using Salesforce, but they also solve user problems and requests, train employees on using the system, and extend the existing functionality of the platform as the business changes, evolves or expands. (2)

Key Responsibilities (2)

• User administration
• Data gatekeeping and security
• Data management
• Responding to user questions and requests
• Automating processes
• Creating reports and dashboards
• Training
• Project management
• Staying current

Technology-Related Job Requirements (2)

• Salesforce Administrator certification.
• Depending on the organization and which Salesforce functionality is used, additional certifications, such as Sales Cloud and/or Service Cloud.
• Strong Salesforce platform knowledge, with the proven ability to configure and customize Salesforce declaratively (using point and click customization) and utilize process automation tools
• Knowledge and experience with data management, data validation tools, data analysis, and creating reports and dashboards.

Salesforce Business Analyst

A Salesforce business analyst is often involved in every step of a Salesforce project or functional enhancement, from identifying requirements, solution design, coordinating with developers, implementing, testing, and training users. In addition to general IT business analyst skills, a Salesforce “BA” is a specialist who understands the capabilities of the Salesforce platform and the business processes that it supports. (2)

…The business analyst is one of multiple Salesforce resources working on a project team. Whereas the administrator on the team manages the day-to-day use of Salesforce, the business analyst is tasked with understanding the business, documenting needs, overhauling processes, and ensuring solutions are delivered to meet stakeholder needs… (2)

Key Responsibilities (2)

• Identifying and documenting needs
• Analyzing business processes
• Defining requirements
• Recommending solutions
• Validating solutions
• Configuring and coordinating solution development
• Coordinating user-acceptance training
• Training end-users

Technology-Related Job Requirements (2)

• Salesforce certifications, specifically Administrator, Sales Cloud Consultant, Service Cloud Consultant, Community Cloud, and Marketing Cloud Consultant.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of the Salesforce platform capabilities, in particular Sales, Service, Community, and Marketing Cloud.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Salesforce declarative platform capabilities, including process automation tools, and the appropriate use of programmatic customization.
• Working knowledge of Agile delivery and scrum framework.

Salesforce Developer

Salesforce developers design, develop, and implement customized solutions on the platform. These are the people who are responsible for creating and supporting programmatic solutions, for integrated other platforms with Salesforce, and for troubleshooting advanced technical issues. They are skilled with computers and have knowledge of coding. (2)

Key Responsibilities (2)

• Developing customized programmatic solutions to meet requirements and support business processes.
• Developing and supporting integrations between Salesforce and external systems.
• Collaborating with project team members to design, develop, test, and deploy functionality as part of projects, which includes meeting with end-users and managers to determine project specifications related to user interface, customized applications, and integration with other software.
• Working with the administrator on development issues related to maintenance of the platform and support of users.
• Providing internal technical supported related to the Salesforce platform.

Technology-Related Job Requirements (2)

• Salesforce certifications, such as App Builder, Platform Developer 1, or Platform Developer 2.
• Additional certifications depending on functionality a company has implemented, such as Community Cloud, CPQ, or Field Service Lightning.
• Salesforce Platform development experience using Apex, SOQL, SOSL, Visualforce, or Lightning Framework.
• Experience with web technologies, including HTML, CSS, XML, JSON, and Javascript.
• Experience working with REST and SOAP APIs.
• Experience working with integration and middleware tools, such as MuleSoft.
• Working knowledge of Agile delivery and scrum framework.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.

Technical Skills

Taken from Salesforce Careers pages (Admin, BA, Developer)

Salesforce Administrator

Salesforce Developer

Salesforce Business Analyst (3)

Role as conceptualized by the Burning Glass report and the Salesforce Careers page.

Salesforce Business Analyst (2)

Role as conceptualized by the Salesforce Career Playbook.

• More Salesforce Platform skill than an admin
• Similar Business Process skill as an admin
• Similar Data Management skill as an admin
• More Process Automation skill than an admin
• More Formulas & Validations skill than an admin
• More System Configuration skill than an admin
• Similar Application Lifecycle Management skill as a developer (more than an admin)
• Strong Business Analysis skill (more than an admin)
• Strong Scripting languages (SQL, Python) skill (more than an admin)

         **Note**: Salesforce's career page and the Burning Glass Technologies report (3) both conceptualize the role of a Salesforce Business Analyst as more **more data-focused and less systems/process focused** than the Salesforce Career Playbook (2). In my opinion this type of role is more appropriately considered a "**Data Analyst**." Reference the following excerpts from the Salesforce careers page and Burning Glass report:

        "...Business analytics is typically a bridge between the busienss side of an organization, which might not have the deepest understanding of Salesforce and what it can do, and the IT or technical side, which is hands-on with Salesforce every day. A business analyst identifies relevant patterns in large data sets, giving guidance to other teams such as product development, sales, marketing, and strategy." (3)

        "...You thrive on diving into data, identifying key insights, and mapping out a winning business strategy. And with your cool head and sound logic, you’re able to think through problems and make actionable recommendations. Sound like you? Take a look at a career as a Business Analyst."

(Salesforce BA careers page)

        This difference may account for the slightly lower average compensation on the Salesforce Career page (\$84K for a BA versus \$91K for an Administrator). The Salesforce Career Playbook considers a Salesforce BA as a more experienced and more certified Administrator that is less focused on day-to-day Salesforce use and more focused on big-picture projects.

Compensation Ranges

For US-based positions

Salesforce Administrator

• \$60,000 - \$120,000 (2)
  • Average \$90,000
• \$79,000 - \$117,000 (3)
  • Average \$91,000

Salesforce Business Analyst

• \$80,000 - \$120,000 (2)
  • Average \$100,000
• \$72,000 - \$107,000 (3)
  • Average \$89,500
    • As mentioned in blue above, the Burning Glass Technologies report and Salesforce’s career page conceptualizes the role of a Salesforce Business Analyst as more data-focused and less systems focused than the Salesforce Career Playbook. In my opinion this type of role is more appropriately considered a “Data Analyst.”

Salesforce Developer

• \$87,000 - \$157,000 (2)
  • Average \$122,000
• Average job posting: \$108,000 (3)
• Entry-Level job posting: \$91,000 (3)

Compensation Range Sources

As reported in the Salesforce Career Playbook. The Burning Glass report salary ranges were based on original research.

Salesforce Administrator

• Mason Frank reported a salary range of \$100,500 to \$110,000 for junior admins with salaries ranging to \$126,000 for senior admins.
• Salesforce reported the average salary to be \$95,000.
• Neuboo reported that entry-level positions might start at \$48,750 but average salaries are \$94,951.
• ZipRecruiter reported \$88,146 as an average salary with salaries as low as \$36,000 and as high as \$140,500. Most ranged between \$65,000 and \$107,000.
• Indeed reported \$87,744 as an average salary.
• Glassdoor reported \$87,292 as an average salary, with salaries ranging from \$62,000 to \$117,000.

Salesforce Business Analyst

• Neuvoo reported the average to be \$105,042.
• Indeed reported \$104,849.
• Salesforce reported \$104,000.
• Ziprecruiter reported \$103,126, as low as \$49,500 and as high as \$170,500, but with most between \$82,500 and \$120,000.
• Glassdoor reported an average of \$83,431 with salaries ranging from \$57,143 to \$113,780.

Salesforce Developer

• Mason Frank reported a salary range of \$114,000 to \$144,500 for a junior developer, with salaries ranging to \$162,500 for senior developers.
• Neuvoo reported the average developer’s slaray to be \$130,000, with entry level positions starting at \$79,201.
• Salesforce reported an average salary of \$125,000.
• Glassdoor reported salaries ranging from \$87,000 to \$157,000, with an average salary for a senior developer around \$119,542.
• Indeed reported \$115,861.
• ZipRecruiter reported salaries as low as \$48,000 and as high as \$174,500, with the majority of salaries ranging between \$92,000 and \$135,000 and an average salary of \$114,763.

ChatGPT on Salesforce Administrators vs Developers vs Architects

Certifications

These tables from Salesforce’s Certification Guide (1).

Administrator

#	Name	Recommended Experience	Time Commitment	Prerequisites
1	Administrator	6-12 Months	115-125 Hrs
2	Advanced Administrator	12-24 Months	55-65 Hrs	1
3	CPQ Specialist	6-12 Months	15-25 Hrs
4	Platform App Builder	3-6 Months	60-70 Hrs

Developer

#	Name	Recommended Experience	Time Commitment	Prerequisites
5	B2C Commerce Developer	3-6 Months	75-85 Hrs
6	Javascript Developer I	1-2 Years	30-40 Hrs
7	Platform Developer I	3-6 Months	75-85 Hrs
8	Platform Developer II	2-4 Years	35-45 Hrs	7

Architect

#	Name	Recommended Experience	Time Commitment	Prerequisites
9	Application Architect	5+ Years	100+ Hrs	11, 16, 4, 7
10	B2C Commerce Architect	5+ Years	100+ Hrs	5
11	Data Architecture And Management Designer	5+ Years	90+ Hrs
12	Development Lifecycle And Deployment Designer	5+ Years	90+ Hrs
13	Heroku Architecture Designer	2+ Years	90+ Hrs
14	Identity And Access Management Designer	5+ Years	90+ Hrs
15	Integration Architecture Designer	5+ Years	90+ Hrs
16	Sharing And Visibility Designer	5+ Years	90+ Hrs
17	System Architect	5+ Years	100+ Hrs	12, 14, 15, 7
18	Technical Architect	8+ Years	200+ Hrs	9, 17

Consultant

#	Name	Recommended Experience	Time Commitment	Prerequisites
19	Community Cloud Consultant	2-5 Years	30-40 Hrs	1
20	Education Cloud Consultant	2-5 Years	40-50 Hrs	1
21	Einstein Analytics And Discovery Consultant	2-5 Years	40-80 Hrs
22	Field Service Lightning Consultant	2-5 Years	40-80 Hrs	1, 25
23	Nonprofit Cloud Consultant	2-5 Years	40-80 Hrs	1
24	Sales Cloud Consultant	2-5 Years	40-50 Hrs	1
25	Service Cloud Consultant	2-5 Years	30-40 Hrs	1

Marketer

#	Name	Recommended Experience	Time Commitment	Prerequisites
26	Marketing Cloud Administrator	6+ Months	10-20 Hrs
27	Marketing Cloud Consultant	12 Months	40-50 Hrs	29
28	Marketing Cloud Developer	1-2 Years	40-80 Hrs	29
29	Marketing Cloud Email Specialist	6-12 Months	15-25 Hrs
30	Pardot Consultant	12 Months	15-25 Hrs	31
31	Pardot Specialist	3-6 Months	20-30 Hrs