If you’ve ever debated whether to focus on passing another Salesforce certification or double down on real-world projects, you’re not alone. Certs vs. experience is a conversation that has been circling the Salesforce community for years. Certifications look great on your LinkedIn profile, but do they really reflect your value as a Salesforce professional? According to the results of the SF Ben Salesforce Administrator Survey, the answer is clear: experience still reigns supreme.
Admins from around the world weighed in on what makes them more valuable in their roles. The data shows that while certifications have their place, it is hands-on experience that truly drives confidence, credibility, and career growth. Whether you are just starting out or already deep into your Salesforce journey, these insights may help you decide where to invest your time next.
Certifications Are Helpful, But Not the Whole Story
50.8% of survey respondents reported holding between one and three Salesforce certifications. The top three most helpful certifications across all expertise levels were Administrator, Advanced Administrator, and Platform App Builder. These are often seen as the foundational trio, offering a structured way to learn platform functionality and demonstrate core knowledge.
Certifications can give new admins a foothold in the industry and help seasoned professionals validate their skills. But there is a growing recognition that passing an exam is just one piece of the puzzle. The real learning happens when you are in the trenches, solving problems, fixing automation that is misfiring, and building solutions that meet business needs.
Experience Carries More Weight
When asked to rate the value of certifications versus hands-on experience, the message was loud and clear. On average, respondents gave certifications a score of 6.2 out of 10. Hands-on experience, on the other hand, scored a resounding 9.3 out of 10. That is a huge gap, and it reflects what many of us know from personal experience: you can study all day, but nothing beats learning by doing.
Experience teaches you nuance. It helps you understand how users actually interact with the system, what makes automation sustainable, and how to navigate unexpected roadblocks. It is also what businesses and stakeholders lean on when the stakes are high. They do not just want someone who knows the answers – they want someone who knows how to apply them.
Finding the Right Balance
This is not to say that certifications are not worth pursuing. They are especially useful for setting a baseline, preparing for a new role, or targeting a specific skill area. If you are working toward your first certification, go for it. Just make sure it is supported by real use cases whenever possible. Apply what you are learning in a sandbox or get involved in projects that let you explore those skills in action.
Many successful admins alternate between certifications and hands-on projects to stay sharp. They use Trailhead, participate in community groups, and seek out volunteer opportunities to build confidence in new areas. Experience and certification do not need to compete. Together, they make a powerful combo.
Final Thoughts
Certifications can open doors, but experience is what helps you walk through them and thrive in your career. The most successful admins are the ones who get curious, keep experimenting, and never stop learning. If you are feeling pressure to chase badge after badge, take a step back and ask yourself what will help you grow the most in your current role.
At the end of the day, the best proof of your skills is not just a certificate. It is the value you deliver to your team, your users, and your business. Let me know – what has taught you more, certifications or experience? I would love to hear your story in the comments section or reach out to me on LinkedIn.
