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How to become a Salesforce Administrator

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there
4–9 months
Typical pay
$65k–$95k
Starting from
No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

See salesforce administrator jobs open now

The route

  1. Work through Trailhead

    Salesforce's own training is free and is what hiring managers actually ask about.

    Course that covers thisSalesforce Administrator (Admin-201) Practice Exams : 2026Udemy · around $19.99
  2. Build in a developer org

    Free sandbox. Build objects, flows and reports for a made-up business end to end.

  3. Pass the Administrator certification

    The credential that gets you shortlisted; it is close to a hard requirement.

    Salesforce Certified Administrator

  4. Get in as an accidental admin

    Many admins start by owning Salesforce inside a sales or ops job they already have.

  5. Destination

    Salesforce Administrator

    Browse jobs now

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