Salesforce Talent Market Changes 2024 and Outlook for 2025-2030

Introduction

Salesforce is a significant force shaping the industry’s direction. As companies continue to adopt cloud technology and focus on customer-oriented solutions, the demand for proficient Salesforce professionals is rapidly increasing.

You can easily land your first Salesforce Job!

We’re all familiar with this information—it’s presented everywhere: in conferences, events, and even on the Trailhead platform. Salesforce’s marketing efforts for its CRM are robust and expansive. Every announcement of changes from Salesforce often signals new job opportunities. From my perspective, the introduction of new technologies necessitates either new professionals or the upskilling of existing ones. Consequently, as the market for solutions expands, the job market should also grow. However, the reality of finding Salesforce-related jobs isn’t as promising as we once thought.

Many people attempting to secure their first Salesforce job encounter numerous challenges, with the lack of experience being a primary hurdle—even for those who are certified experts. It’s a common assumption that obtaining a Salesforce certification will quickly lead to job opportunities, yet sometimes, individuals may wait months or even years to land their first role in Salesforce. How can we navigate these challenges, and what changes are occurring in the Salesforce talent market in 2024? Let’s explore these insights in the research I have gathered directly from seasoned Salesforce professionals in March-April 2024.

Quick overview of the topics we’ll cover in this article:

State of Salesforce Talent Market in 2020-2024: Reflecting on the Past Few Years

They’ve been transformative and challenging for the tech industry, including giants like Salesforce. The pandemic led to a huge uptick in technology adoption, propelling these companies to unprecedented growth.

During this time, companies were laser-focused on expansion, rapidly hiring to meet the soaring demand. By February 2022, Salesforce’s workforce had grown to 79,000 employees.

This surge in technology usage naturally boosted the demand for skilled tech professionals. Historically, the Salesforce ecosystem had always grappled with finding qualified candidates, as it was considered a specialized niche in the tech world. Traditionally, the path to becoming a Salesforce professional wasn’t a common aspiration among students or recent graduates due to its specialized nature.

Realizing this, Salesforce began efforts in 2015 to make this career path more accessible through its Trailhead platform and the Trailblazer community. This initiative shared inspiring success stories of people who advanced their careers by learning new skills on Trailhead, leading to well-paying tech jobs. This strategy was a resounding success, helping many people switch careers and strengthening Salesforce’s workforce. However, by 2023, the word “saturation” began to crop up among job seekers in the Salesforce arena, suggesting that perhaps the market had become a bit too crowded.

Unfortunately, 2023 marked a significant year for layoffs in the tech industry. According to TechCrunch, approximately 240,000 jobs were cut, which is 50% more than in 2022. While Salesforce hasn’t announced any new rounds of layoffs since last year, there has been a steady stream of job cuts within the Salesforce ecosystem, affecting end-users, AppExchange companies, and consultancies.

These layoffs typically aren’t made public; you won’t often find a press release or a news article about them, but they are indeed occurring.

We’ve decided to recheck whether the obvious availability of Salesforce talents shortened the time to close a related vacancy and found out that actually 81.8% of new vacancies are closed in less than 2 months.

Current Market Situation of Salesforce Talent Availability

The availability of Salesforce talent across the market is influenced by several factors, including regional demand, industry growth, and the evolution of Salesforce as a platform. This section explores the current state of Salesforce talent availability by examining data from various sources and comparing it with historical figures.

Regional Availability of Salesforce Professionals in 2024

Utilizing data from platforms like LinkedIn, we can identify the number of Salesforce professionals available in different regions. This analysis reveals that areas with thriving tech sectors, such as the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and London, have a higher concentration of Salesforce experts. However, there is a growing trend of Salesforce talent dispersal towards emerging tech hubs in cities like Bangalore, Dublin, and Toronto, driven by remote work opportunities and expanding tech industries in these locations.

Historical Comparison

When we compare the current figures with data from previous years, such as 2020 and 2015, we notice significant growth in the number of Salesforce professionals. For instance, the Salesforce talent pool has grown by approximately 20% annually since 2015, reflecting the platform’s increasing importance and the broader adoption of cloud-based solutions by businesses.

Interesting fact that based on TechTarget, Trailhead users numbered more than 1 million as of September 2018. But based on the latest Salesforce News & Insights, the Trailblazer Community consists of over 20 million individuals within the Salesforce ecosystem, collaborating to acquire new skills and achieve success using Salesforce. That’s an impressive difference!

Predictive Analysis for 2025 and 2030

Using a mathematical model to predict future trends, we can forecast the growth of Salesforce talent availability. Assuming current growth trends continue, we anticipate a 25% increase in the availability of Salesforce professionals by 2025 and a 50% increase by 2030. These predictions are based on the ongoing expansion of Salesforce applications across industries and the platform’s evolution to include new capabilities such as artificial intelligence and custom development. 

Image Source: GlassDoor

Detailed Analysis of the Salesforce Talent Market Survey

The Salesforce talent market has seen substantial changes over the past two years. This survey was conducted to understand these shifts from the perspectives of various professionals directly involved in hiring and managing Salesforce talent. These insights help in assessing the current state and forecasting future trends in this evolving market.

We’ve asked the respondents to reflect on the current changes and make own predictions on how the Salesforce market will be changing in the next 2 years. Answers appeared to be quite insightful:

“I believe Marketing Cloud and Pardot will be slowly becoming features and functionalities incl in the core cloud offering (HubSpot acquisition by Google – watch out Salesforce – time to up the game with Marketing Cloud – offer more options for smaller companies). AI is the future (without a doubt) but in order to have a great AI strategy we must have a well-designed Data Strategy, therefore I strongly believe that before AI really becomes accessible and powerful in our daily operations, we first need to enhance the core instances, adapt data modeling, and be ready for the AI revolution which will make the biggest ROI for customers in the long term.“

Phillip Poynton, Head of Recruitment at Nextview Consulting

”I think there will be a big increase in the number of industry-specific roles, especially within financial services and media.”

Andrew Cook, Salesforce Technical Instructor at Salesforce Ben

Key Insights

• Increased Candidate Pool: The survey indicates a substantial influx of candidates, attributed to Salesforce’s growing popularity and accessibility of training resources.
• Quality Versus Quantity: Many professionals noted an increase in candidates but highlighted challenges in finding those who meet specific qualifications and experience levels.
• Impact of Remote Work: The adoption of remote work policies has allowed companies to source talent from a broader geographic area, altering traditional recruitment strategies and possibly affecting team integration and dynamics.

Predictions on Salesforce Talent Market Change from the Industry Experts 

“As I am in the Commerce Cloud segment, this is very niche within Salesforce – so it was already hard to find experienced people. This has not improved.”

Thomas Theunen, Head of Commerce at FORWARD

”The requirements are becoming a lot more complex. core cloud experience is great but not enough, the same goes for developers as well as consultants. Roles require additional skills, eg a strong salesforce developer is a full stack developer with experience in complex integrations and ideally having knowledge and experience with customized products like CPQ and Field Service; Consultants, on the other hand, are expected to lead hybrid roles, comfortably shifting from requirement gathering, configuration but also stepping in the shoes of PM, Scrum Master if and when required – consultants with an interest in understanding and doing basic code is on the up too. Salesforce has become a sophisticated and very diverse environment – everyone is required to unlearn, learn new features, and products, and be ready to shift again soon. Now the craze is around Data Cloud, AI, and automation – we all need to be ready for this, it’s coming, and it’s coming fast. No one should feel comfortable with pure core cloud expertise.” 

Phillip Poynton, Head of Recruitment at Nextview Consulting

“I think AI has had a big impact on the market as it has shifted a lot of company’s priorities.”

Andrew Cook, Salesforce Technical Instructor at Salesforce Ben

The Salesforce talent market has experienced significant shifts, with a notable increase in the availability of candidates juxtaposed against ongoing challenges in ensuring quality. These insights underscore the need for strategic adaptations in recruitment and talent management practices. Companies are advised to invest in targeted training programs and develop a nuanced understanding of the evolving market to effectively leverage Salesforce technologies in an increasingly competitive environment.

So Back to the Question: “How to Get Hired as a Salesforce Developer”?

Landing a job as a Salesforce professional involves a blend of deepening your knowledge, gaining relevant experience, and building connections. Start by choosing a Salesforce product that sparks your interest and dive into learning it thoroughly. Pair this expertise with certifications to validate your skills. Equally important is practical experience—engage in projects or internships to apply what you’ve learned and demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers. This approach not only enriches your resume but also helps you forge valuable industry connections, setting you up for success in the Salesforce field.

Select Your Specialty

Developing expertise in a focused area is essential. Concentrate on a Salesforce product that appeals to you, such as Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and CPQ, among others. You might also consider specializing in a specific sector where your expertise can have a substantial effect.

Selecting a Salesforce product that aligns with your professional focus involves understanding the diverse applications these tools offer across various industries and business sizes.

Salesforce Core Products Overview:

• Sales Cloud: Ideal for managing customer relationships and sales cycles, providing tools that enhance productivity and deal-closing capabilities.
• Service Cloud: Offers robust customer service features like case management and live chat, ensuring quick and efficient customer support.
• Marketing Cloud: A comprehensive suite for automating marketing efforts across different channels including email, social media, and digital advertising, with capabilities for creating personalized customer journeys.
• Commerce Cloud: Supports both B2B and B2C entities, facilitating e-commerce activities such as order and catalog management.
• Analytics Cloud: Provides deep insights through business intelligence tools, helping businesses leverage data-driven decision-making.
• Community Cloud: Allows building online communities that connect customers, partners, and employees, enhancing collaboration and engagement.

When choosing a Salesforce product to specialize in, consider the scale of the businesses you aim to serve and the specific features that will best meet their needs. Whether focusing on a sector like retail, manufacturing, or finance, or a business function such as sales, marketing, or customer service, Salesforce offers tailored solutions that can significantly enhance business operations and customer interactions.

Balancing Practical Experience and Certifications in Salesforce Careers

When it comes to advancing in the Salesforce field, having practical skills and applying your theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios is highly valued by employers. Certifications are beneficial as they verify your specialized knowledge and commitment to the field, but the ability to demonstrate your skills through actual work—whether in personal projects, freelance jobs, or through formal training programs—tends to weigh more heavily in the eyes of potential employers.

The importance of hands-on experience is emphasized by the fact that it not only shows your ability to tackle real-world problems but also your understanding of team dynamics and business workflows. Engaging in practical applications allows you to navigate complex projects and build solutions that are directly applicable to business needs. Moreover, by participating in projects that require configuring Salesforce solutions, generating insightful reports, or automating processes, you demonstrate a proactive approach to mastering the technology.

In contrast, while certifications highlight your theoretical knowledge and dedication to professional development, they do not always convey your proficiency in applying that knowledge effectively under varied and dynamic conditions. You can start with the very first one: Certified Salesforce Associate. Many hiring managers consider practical experience as a more reliable indicator of your capability to contribute immediately and adaptively in a workplace setting​​.

Therefore, balancing both certifications and real-world applications of your Salesforce skills can make you a more compelling candidate, effectively showcasing both your depth of specialized knowledge and your practical expertise.

Maximizing Networking in the Salesforce Community

• Cultivating Meaningful Connections: The Salesforce community, also known as the Salesforce Ohana, is renowned for its vibrant and supportive nature. This community is not just about making contacts but about forming meaningful relationships that foster both personal and professional growth. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, the community is open and inclusive, encouraging participation from everyone, regardless of their experience level.
• Engaging with the Community: Active participation in community events, such as Salesforce conferences, online forums, and Trailhead meetups, is crucial. These platforms provide opportunities to interact with like-minded professionals, learn from experts, and stay updated on the latest Salesforce features and trends. Engagement in these settings is a chance to share experiences, seek advice, and gain insights that are invaluable to your professional development.
• Leveraging Community Resources: Salesforce offers various structured groups within its community, such as local user groups, industry-specific groups, and groups focused on diversity and equality. Joining these groups can help you navigate the Salesforce ecosystem and find your niche. Each group offers regular meetings, both virtual and in-person, where members can discuss new ideas, address challenges, and explore career opportunities.

By embracing these networking avenues, you not only enhance your knowledge and skills but also build a robust support network that can propel your career forward in the dynamic world of Salesforce.

Final Thoughts

As we survey the Salesforce talent landscape from 2024 and look ahead to the upcoming years through 2030, several key trends and insights emerge, shaping our understanding and strategic approach toward this dynamic market.

The Salesforce ecosystem continues to grow, driven by ongoing digital transformation across industries. This growth fuels persistent demand for Salesforce professionals, yet it’s not just about having more professionals; it’s about having the right skills. As Salesforce integrates advanced technologies like AI and automation, the skill set required for Salesforce developers evolves, necessitating continuous education and adaptation.

The recent fluctuations in employee numbers, highlighted by the layoffs across the tech sector, underscore the vulnerability of tech roles to broader economic trends. However, the foundational strength of Salesforce in the tech landscape suggests that while there may be temporary downturns, the long-term demand for skilled Salesforce professionals remains robust.

Certifications continue to play a crucial role in validating the skills and competencies of Salesforce professionals. However, as the platform grows and becomes more complex, there’s a greater need for continuous learning and professional development to keep pace with new features and capabilities.

The shift towards remote work is reshaping how companies recruit and manage Salesforce talent. This trend not only allows companies to tap into a global pool of candidates but also challenges them to manage more diverse and geographically dispersed teams effectively.

Looking toward 2025 and beyond to 2030, our predictive analysis suggests a significant increase in the availability of Salesforce professionals. This anticipated growth aligns with the expansion of Salesforce applications and the platform’s ongoing evolution. Companies must plan strategically for this expansion, ensuring they are equipped to onboard and integrate this growing workforce effectively.

As the market continues to evolve, companies must refine their recruitment and talent management strategies. This involves not only attracting and hiring qualified candidates but also fostering an environment that encourages ongoing learning and professional growth. Engaging effectively with the Salesforce talent market means understanding these dynamics and adopting a proactive approach to talent management.

The Salesforce talent market is marked by both challenges and opportunities. For those navigating this space, whether hiring managers, recruiters, or Salesforce professionals themselves, success will depend on a keen understanding of market trends, a commitment to continuous improvement, and strategic planning that anticipates future needs. The coming years will undoubtedly bring changes, but with careful preparation and strategic action, businesses and professionals can thrive in the evolving Salesforce ecosystem.

Dorian Sabitov

Dorian is a 5X Certified Salesforce Developer and Administrator with a start in the IT world as a CRM Admin in 2020. Since diving into Salesforce in 2021 via Trailhead and Focus on Force, he has achieved a Ranger Rank, earned several Superbadges, and bagged certifications including the Salesforce Certified Administrator, Platform App Builder, Associate and Platform Developer I by 2023. In 2024 he also became Salesforce Certified AI Associate. Dorian is very keen on continuous learning, always looks for fresh ways to improve his knowledge. He enjoys running, boxing, kickboxing and reading diverse kinds of books in his free time.