Salesforce Admin vs. Advanced Admin – What’s the difference?

Within the Salesforce ecosystem, Salesforce administrators play a pivotal role in configuring, customizing, and maintaining the platform to meet specific business needs. However, the Salesforce admin domain offers two distinct certification levels: Salesforce Certified Administrator and Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator. 

Let’s look into the key differences between these certifications to understand the Salesforce admin career path ahead of you.

Salesforce Certified Administrator- The Foundation

The Salesforce Certified Administrator certification serves as the cornerstone for any aspiring Salesforce admin. It validates your understanding of core functionalities essential for managing a Salesforce org. The certification covers:

Salesforce User Management

Creating and managing user accounts, profiles, permission sets, and roles to control user access and data visibility within the org.

Salesforce Object Management

Understanding the core Salesforce objects like Accounts, Contacts, Leads, and Opportunities, along with their fields, relationships, and record types.

Data Management and Reporting

Importing and exporting data, creating basic reports and dashboards to visualize key metrics, and maintaining data quality.

Salesforce Automation

Utilizing workflow rules, approval processes, and automation tools like Process Builder to streamline business processes and enhance user productivity.

Salesforce Security

Understanding Salesforce security best practices, including data encryption, user authentication, and field-level security to safeguard sensitive information.

Salesforce Customization

Customizing page layouts, list views, and user interface elements to tailor the Salesforce experience for specific user groups.

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Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator – Deepening Expertise

The Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator certification elevates your skillset beyond the foundational knowledge tested in the standard admin exam. This advanced credential demonstrates your proficiency in handling complex configurations and managing Salesforce orgs for larger-scale deployments. The additional areas covered in this certification include:

Advanced-Data Management and Reporting

Mastering advanced reporting techniques with tools like Salesforce Reports & Dashboards, leveraging Einstein Analytics for deeper data insights, and utilizing data manipulation tools like Data Loader and Workbench.

Advanced Security and Compliance

Implementing advanced security measures like two-factor authentication, user activity monitoring, and data encryption at rest and in transit to ensure robust org security. Gaining a deeper understanding of compliance considerations relevant to your industry and region.

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Salesforce1 Mobile Administration

Managing and securing the Salesforce mobile experience for users, including configuring mobile app settings, security profiles, and data access for on-the-go productivity.

Salesforce Customization and Automation

Deep-diving into advanced customization techniques with Visualforce pages and components, leveraging Lightning components for enhanced user interfaces, and exploring advanced automation tools like Apex triggers and Lightning Flows.

Salesforce Sandboxes and Change Management

Understanding the role of sandboxes in development and testing, implementing effective change management practices to ensure smooth and controlled deployments of customizations and configurations.

Standard Admin vs. Advanced Admin

The appropriate certification path depends on your career goals and experience within the Salesforce ecosystem:

Standard Admin

Ideal for individuals new to Salesforce or those seeking to manage smaller orgs with basic configurations. It equips you with the essential skills to get started and contribute meaningfully to Salesforce administration tasks.

Advanced Admin

Recommended for experienced Salesforce admins who manage complex orgs with extensive customizations, integrations, and security requirements. This certification validates your expertise in handling advanced configurations, automation, and managing Salesforce at scale.

Also Read – Salesforce Advanced Admin Interview Questions and Answers

Conclusion

Both the Salesforce Certified Administrator and Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator certifications are valuable credentials for your Salesforce admin career path. The standard admin certification establishes a strong foundation, while the advanced admin certification equips you with the skills to tackle more intricate configurations and manage Salesforce for larger-scale deployments. Ultimately, the choice depends on your current skill set and career aspirations. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between Salesforce Admin and Advanced Admin?

The main difference lies in the depth and complexity of the skills tested. The Salesforce Certified Administrator validates core functionalities for managing basic orgs. The Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator goes beyond the foundation, focusing on advanced security, data management, automation, and customizations for large-scale deployments.

2. Is the Salesforce Advanced Admin certification worth it?

If you aspire to manage complex Salesforce orgs or specialize in advanced configurations, then yes! This certification demonstrates expertise valued by employers and can enhance your career prospects.

3. Which Salesforce admin certification is best?

The “best” certification depends on your experience and career goals. The Standard Admin is ideal for beginners, while the Advanced Admin caters to experienced admins managing intricate orgs.

4. How much does an advanced Salesforce administrator make?

Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and company size. According to Indeed, the average base salary for a Salesforce Advanced Administrator in the US is around $115,000 (as of April 2024).

5. Is the Salesforce Advanced Admin difficult?

The difficulty depends on your existing Salesforce knowledge. For experienced admins with a strong foundation, the exam might be challenging but manageable. For those new to Salesforce, it’s recommended to build a solid foundation with the standard admin skills before attempting the advanced exam.

6. Which Salesforce certification has the highest salary?

While specific salary data for each certification can vary, Salesforce certifications with a broader scope, like Advanced Admin or System Administrator, tend to be associated with higher earning potential compared to foundational certifications. However, keep in mind that factors like experience and industry also play a significant role in determining salary.