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Choosing between the Administrator and Developer certification tracks in the Salesforce ecosystem is a significant decision. Whether you’re just starting or aiming to sharpen your career, understanding the differences, overlaps and how each path aligns with your goals is essential. At SalesforceKing, we’ve guided many professionals through these decisions and here’s a complete review.
What each path covers?
| Certification Path | What you’ll do | Typical skills & tools |
| Administrator | Configure and maintain the platform: user setup, security, data quality, automation with point-and-click tools. | Flow Builder, Process Builder, Reports & Dashboards, Permission Sets, Profiles. |
| Developer | Build custom solutions: write code, integrate systems, develop user interfaces, and handle complex logic that declarative tools can’t cover. | Apex, Visualforce, Lightning Web Components, SOQL/SOSL, APIs, DevOps/CI-CD. |
Key differences (and similarities) to keep in mind
- Entry barrier: Admin path is generally more accessible if you don’t have a programming background. Developer path demands stronger coding and system-integration skills.
- Scope of work: Admins often are the bridge between business needs and the tool, configuring and enabling the platform. Developers build new capabilities or extend the platform’s reach.
- Career progression & salary: Both paths are respected. Developer roles tend to lead to higher salaries (because of the technical depth) but Admin roles remain in high demand and can lead to leadership/consulting positions.
- Overlap: Many successful professionals combine admin and developer skills. Even developers benefit from strong admin foundations. > “A good Salesforce developer is an admin first and developer second.”
Choosing your path
Here are questions and considerations to help you decide:
- Do you enjoy business-process mapping, working with users, configuring systems with minimal code? → Admin path might be your fit.
- Do you enjoy writing code, solving complex logic problems, integrating systems and building custom UIs? → Developer path is likely your track.
- Are you open to doing both over time? It can make you more versatile and many start with the admin cert, then move to developer.
- What role are you targeting? For example: If you want to become a CRM consultant, Admin might be the base; for a technical architect role, developer certifications will matter more.
At SalesforceKing, we often recommend that learners explore both declarative and programmatic skills eventually so you understand when to “click” and when to “code”.
How the certifications fit together?
It’s worth noting the broader certification landscape: the admin track typically starts with the Certified Administrator exam; the developer track starts with the Platform Developer I exam.
There is also the Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder credential (for building declaratively) which overlaps and is sometimes considered by admins or those transitioning to developer.
This means you don’t have to commit to one “forever.” Many professionals build admin skills first, then layer developer credentials.
Recommended next steps for you
- Choose one certification to start with, based on your current strengths and interests.
- Use a structured study plan (for example, my 6-Week Study Plan to Pass the Salesforce Administrator Exam) if you go for the admin route.
- If you opt for developer eventually, compare roles like Platform App Builder vs Administrator: Which Certification is Right for You? To evaluate which path fits your goals.
- Stay aware of trends: many admins are now also getting AI certifications because platform skills are shifting. (See: Why 75% of Salesforce Admins Are Getting AI Certified)
- Take hands-on practice seriously. For any cert, doing real work in a developer org (free edition) many times beats rote memorization of exam questions.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need to complete the Administrator certification before starting the Developer certification?
No formal prerequisite in most cases. But many recommend gaining admin skills first because it gives you a strong platform foundation.
Q2: If I pick the Admin path now, can I still move into the Developer path later?
Absolutely. That’s a common route. You’ll already know how the platform works, which gives you a head-start when you begin coding or integrations.
Q3: Which path provides better job security and future growth?
Both offer strong job security. Developers may command higher initial compensation in technical roles, but Admins who specialize (e.g., analytics, platform strategy, AI) and hold multiple certifications also grow substantially. It comes down to what you build in addition to the certification.
Conclusion
Deciding between the admin and developer certification paths in the Salesforce ecosystem isn’t about one being “better” than the other it’s about what aligns with your interests, skills and career ambitions. The admin path offers rapid entry, strong business-process and platform skills. The developer path demands more technical depth but opens up custom-solution building and advanced roles. At SalesforceKing, our role is to help you map out your path and supply the right resources. Choose wisely, invest in the hands-on experience, and you’ll build a certification foundation that supports a long-term career in Salesforce.