Salesforce Talent Market Overview Q2 2025: Jobs vs Talents Trends

11 June 2025Simon Mortlock

Introduction: Understanding the Q2 2025 Job Market Reality

In the not-so-distant past, having “Salesforce” on your resume felt like a golden ticket, but that boom has cooled, and now it’s a race for fewer jobs in a crowded market.

During the pandemic tech boom, Salesforce professionals fielded constant recruiter calls and saw rapid pay raises.

After years of explosive growth, the Salesforce ecosystem hit a reset in 2023. Widespread tech layoffs, budget cuts, and an inflow of newly certified talent led to what many call an employer’s market. Hiring managers can afford to be selective now that a large number of applicants compete for every open position. 

This dramatic shift from high demand to high supply indicates a maturing market rather than a temporary downturn. This maturity implies lasting changes in hiring dynamics, requiring job seekers and employers to adapt to a more competitive environment.  

The first two quarters of 2025 continued many of the trends set in motion last year, though there are early signs of stabilization and pockets of growth. 

The Post-Pandemic Period of Adjustment: Supply Exceeds Demand

The Salesforce job market entered 2025 still rebalancing from a post-pandemic hangover. Looking at the number of employees at Salesforce itself, we can figure out how rapidly the number of talents in the Salesforce ecosystem has grown since 2020. 

Number of Salesforce employees from 2016 to 2025. Image source: Macrotrends

The ecosystem added a wave of new Salesforce professionals, but in 2022, the trend changed. This follows an even tougher 2023, as tech layoffs hit the CRM sector hard, including layoffs of 10% of Salesforce’s employees. For job seekers, this imbalance means intense competition. 

Insight:

As an example, for the basic Salesforce Admin role, the current trends mean inevitable changes: the baseline Admin skillset is no longer enough. Layering AI, industry, or multi-cloud expertise onto that foundation is becoming the fastest way to stay competitive until demand catches up. 

Businesses are likely seeking to achieve more with fewer resources, leveraging automation and offshoring to reduce their need for additional headcount, even as overall IT spending is projected to rise.

Image source: Gartner

This creates a disconnect where overall tech investment increases, but specific job roles within Salesforce may not see a proportional rise in demand.

Tips For Employers Hiring Salesforce Talent

Employers, this is your time. Take advantage of the rich talent pool, but do so smartly. The large supply of candidates on the market also has a downside, making it difficult to choose the right candidate for you. 

  • Define what you really need: Before posting a job, clarify the must-have skills and nice-to-haves. Hiring “just any admin” isn’t enough – target experience with specific tools like CPQ or DevOps. Look for the candidate who is best suited for you.
  • Highlight soft skills and adaptability in hiring criteria: Technology is changing rapidly, so make sure your investment in a candidate is not wasted when technology makes its next turn. 
  • Invest in AI upskilling for current teams: Your Salesforce team already has unique expertise in solving problems tailored to your needs. So don’t lose this advantage and invest in upgrading the skills of your current team. And a perfect place to upskill your team of SF specialists is at Focus on Force – a trusted resource where you can invest in your skills and be sure that you’ll pass a Salesforce Certification using their course materials, such as study guides and practice exams.  
  • Use flexible talent models: Full-time hiring isn’t your only option. Tap into partners, apprenticeships, or nearshore/offshore teams for scale and agility to find the talent you need. Just ensure clear processes and collaboration across time zones to maintain quality.

From Reset to Recovery: Early Signs of Demand Rebound

By the end of 2024, Salesforce Ben called it a “job market reset”, saying goodbye to the pandemic-era scenario of talent shortages. 

The beginning of 2025 has not changed this dynamic dramatically, employers continue to hold the initiative, but there are signs that the decline is smoothing off. 

We can compare numbers from job boards. The chart below shows the number of Salesforce-related job listings on Glassdoor at the beginning of May 2024 (about 14,000) and in May 2025 (about 28,500) for the U.S. job market. 

Number of Salesforce-related job openings. Data source: Glassdoor

As of May 2025, Indeed shows an even higher number of Salesforce-related job openings, about 33,000 Salesforce jobs across the U.S.

Insight:
Looking at these figures, we can theoretically conclude that if last year to receive a job in Salesforce, you had to apply your CV at least 50 times, this year you have to apply it 25 times, according to the latest stats.

These are substantial numbers of opportunities, especially when compared to early May 2024, when Glassdoor showed about 14,000 jobs, but the pool of potential applicants is still larger, given Salesforce’s popularity as a career path worldwide. 

For context, the image shows a 2024 LinkedIn snapshot: over 135,000 professionals in Salesforce Developer, Consultant, and Admins roles – in the U.S. alone. 

Image source: SFApps.info

The increase in job postings could signal market stabilization, but the large talent pool ensures that competition per role remains high. More jobs do not necessarily mean easier hiring if the applicant pool grows even faster or employers become more selective. 

This means job seekers must differentiate themselves significantly through specialized skills, certifications, and networking in a crowded Salesforce job market. 

Earning Salesforce certifications remains one of the most effective ways to demonstrate your value. To prepare efficiently and boost your chances of passing, many professionals turn to Focus on Force for its in-depth, affordable study resources, especially the practice exams, which closely reflect the real test experience.

Regional Nuances: Where Opportunities Emerge

In contrast to the global demand contraction, India emerged as a standout region. Salesforce developers in India experienced a notable year-over-year increase in demand.  

Another example is Australia and New Zealand, where we can see a significant increase in Salesforce job vacancies in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024. Australia experienced a 55% rise in vacancies, and New Zealand saw an even more substantial 88% increase. 

Image source: Talent hub

These regional insights highlight the importance of looking beyond aggregated global data. Local economic conditions, specific industry needs, and strategic investments by Salesforce itself, such as the $500 million investment in Saudi Arabia, $1 billion in Singapore, and $2.5 billion in Australia to support, in particular, AI innovation and workforce development, can play a significant role in shaping regional job markets.

Tough Competition: Quick Job Fills and Longer Job Searches

Around 87% of Salesforce professionals report that the job market has become more challenging recently. Recruiters are less responsive, and job postings now require a close match on multiple certifications, hands-on product experience, and often industry-specific knowledge to make it past the screening stage.

Recent layoffs have increased the pressure. Salesforce itself made about 1,000 layoffs in the first quarter of 2025. This is in addition to the 1,000 jobs lost in 2024, and the ripple effects were felt by both consultants and end customers. With giants like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and others also laying off tech workers, there’s crossover competition from adjacent fields as well. 

This environment is pushing job seekers to rethink their strategy. Many are actively upskilling, expanding into specialized roles, or considering contract work to stay competitive. Employers, under economic pressure and with more options available, are raising their hiring standards.  

Tips for a Smart Job Search

  • Stay resilient and keep upskilling: It’s normal now for a job search to take 3-6+ months. Don’t be discouraged by rejection. Use downtime to earn a new cert or build a demo project. Focus on AI and automation certifications or industry-specific Salesforce clouds, using smart resources such as Focus on Force to acquire new expertise in high-demand areas. Upskilling in hot areas can make the difference in landing the next interview.
  • Diversify your search platforms: Set up alerts on Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and niche sites. Each platform might surface a unique set of opportunities.
  • Apply early: Roles fill fast, and employers demand more. Submit your application promptly to be included in the pool of candidates to be considered first. 
  • Tailor your proposition: Treat each application like a project. Customize your CV and cover letter with keywords from the job description (like “Revenue Cloud”, “Apex”, and “Machine Learning”) to pass ATS filters. Highlight results, e.g., “improved case resolution by 30%”, to catch a human recruiter’s eye.
  • Use LinkedIn proactively: Don’t just hit ‘Easy Apply’ and vanish. Instead, actively engage with recruiters, alumni, and active users in Salesforce groups. A recommendation or a direct message can boost your application to the top.
  • Broaden your horizons (literally): Be open to remote roles or jobs outside your immediate region. If you have in-demand expertise, a company abroad might be willing to hire you remotely or relocate you.

AI’s Growth and Evolution of Skill Sets

As 2025 unfolds, the influence of artificial intelligence on the Salesforce job market becomes increasingly clear. Salesforce is heavily investing in AI, with tools like Agentforce reshaping how teams work. This focus directly impacts hiring trends, with a noticeable shift towards AI-related and sales roles, while engineering and customer service positions see fewer new opportunities due to AI integration.  

AI Adoption Is Driving Broader Platform Innovation

The “State of Salesforce 2024-2025” from IBM indicates an undeniable trend towards the adoption of AI solutions by Salesforce users: a significant majority of Salesforce customers (69%) are leveraging the platform’s built-in AI for value. AI adoption rate on the Salesforce platform.

Data source: IBM

Moreover, a notable segment of customers is actively extending Salesforce’s native AI capabilities with additional AI tools, especially in areas like predictive analytics. This indicates a trend where organizations seeking a competitive edge in innovation are not solely relying on out-of-the-box Salesforce AI but are strategically augmenting it with external AI functionalities to achieve more advanced and tailored insights.

AI Is Reshaping Salesforce Hiring Priorities

For professionals, this influence of AI means a critical need to upskill in AI and automation. Salesforce’s own hiring strategy for 2025 reflects this emphasis. The company is prioritizing roles that drive sales and support AI-related functions. Engineering roles with AI skills are in high demand, creating significant opportunities for new tech professionals.

This indicates that the future of Salesforce roles is deeply connected with AI capabilities, requiring professionals to adapt and integrate these new skills into their profiles. 

AI automation increases productivity, reducing the need for traditional headcount in certain areas. This frees up resources for strategic AI development and sales efforts to push new AI products. 

Overview of Job Market Trends: Expectations and Strategies

Demand for specialized skills and AI proficiency:

  • Employers in 2025 are prioritizing value-driven hiring over headcount growth.
  • There’s a strong focus on AI proficiency, automation tools, and platform-specific skills (e.g., Revenue Cloud, Marketing Cloud).
  • Roles in Agentforce and predictive analytics are in high demand.
  • Hiring managers are looking for professionals who can improve efficiency and automation, not just maintain systems.

The growing importance of soft skills:

  • Communication: Bridging gaps between technical and business teams.
  • Problem-solving: Addressing complex scenarios in multi-cloud environments.
  • Adaptability: Keeping pace with evolving tools and features.
  • Collaboration: Working effectively in teams with both humans and AI agents.

Remote and hybrid work, a continuing trend:

  • Remote work is still prevalent, especially in development and consulting roles.
  • Hybrid models are more common in collaborative or high-touch roles.
  • Professionals must be skilled in self-management and virtual communication.
  • Employers are refining their remote strategies to boost productivity and retention.

The rise of offshoring and nearshoring, cost-effectiveness vs. local talent:

  • Companies continue to offshore to access lower-cost, scalable labor pools.
  • Hybrid teams, mixing onshore and offshore staff, are becoming standard.
  • Offshoring applies pressure to local salaries in high-cost regions.
  • Professionals in developed markets must differentiate through strategic, client-facing, or niche roles that are harder to outsource.

Key Takeaways and Q2 2025 Summary

While the first half of 2025 is coming to an end, the Salesforce job market remains turbulent yet intriguing. The dust from the massive layoffs at the beginning of the year has not yet settled, and rumors of a possible economic recession keep both employers and candidates on edge. 

  • Stabilization begins: The drop in demand for talent is leveling off – Q2 is expected to see slightly more openings than Q1, though not a full rebound. Job seekers should expect gradual improvements, not a sudden boom.
  • AI and sales roles in focus: Companies are prioritizing hires in AI-enhanced roles and customer-facing positions. Salesforce itself is adding up to 2,000 salespeople in 2025 while freezing software engineer hiring, signaling where new opportunities will arise.
  • Regional variances: The US is showing an increase in the number of offers, while Europe remains cautious. High-growth regions like India will continue to offer more roles, possibly making relocation or remote work across borders a worthwhile consideration.
  • Employers’ market persists: Despite hopeful signs, employers will retain their advantage this quarter. Both sides should plan accordingly – candidates must stay competitive and persistent, and employers can afford to be choosy but should act fast on top talent to avoid losing them.

Conclusion: A Competitive Present, But Not Without Hope

As we head into mid-2025, the Salesforce job market is a paradoxical place: huge opportunities on the horizon, but also highly competitive at the moment. Trends suggest that the market is still in the process of recalibrating, with demand for Salesforce talent only slowly recovering from last year’s downturn, even as the talent pool remains at an all-time high. 

The Future is Bright for Adaptable Talent

The latest trends in the Salesforce job market show that the community is in resilience mode. The start of 2025 has been challenging for many, but these challenges are accompanied by an opportunity to reset, refocus, and rethink our approach to careers at Salesforce. Keep an eye on these triggers, all of which can unlock fresh projects and hiring waves almost overnight: 

  • Corporate budget review in late June, 
  • Early teasers for Dreamforce 2025, 
  • Next round of AI releases.

The imbalance between jobs and talent won’t last forever. Those who adapt to the current climate will be the first to benefit when the balance swings back toward a more prosperous Salesforce economy that needs talent. Remember, new skills in Salesforce are essential, and Focus on Force gives you a unique chance to be better prepared. So, go and get your next certification!