Salesforce keeps your revenue engine running. But managing it? That’s where many organizations hit a crossroads. You know you need expertise… you’re just not sure whether that should be a full-time Salesforce Admin or a fractional one.
If you’re debating the right path, here’s a clear, practical breakdown to help you make a confident decision.
The Case for a Full-Time Salesforce Admin
A full-time Salesforce Admin is ideal when Salesforce is core to your operations and you require ongoing, daily support. You should lean full-time if:
1. You Have a High Volume of Requests
If your team constantly asks for:
- New reports and dashboards
- Field updates
Workflow automations - Permission changes
- Bug fixes
…then you need someone dedicated and available continuously.
2. Salesforce Is Deeply Customized
Organizations with complex technical stacks… custom objects, integrations, automations, API-heavy workflows… benefit from a full-time admin familiar with every corner of your system.
3. You Have 75+ Salesforce Users
As a general rule:
More users = more support needs.
Once you cross 75–100 users, a full-time admin usually becomes cost-effective.
4. You’re Scaling Rapidly
Fast-growing companies need a partner who can:
- Stay ahead of automation needs
- Maintain data hygiene
Implement new processes - Support evolving teams
A fractional admin may struggle to keep pace with that level of scale.
The Case for a Fractional Salesforce Admin
A fractional admin gives you senior-level expertise at a fraction of the cost—perfect for businesses that need quality, not quantity.
Choose fractional when:
1. Your Support Load Is Light or Inconsistent
If your Salesforce needs come in waves (big project → quiet period → updates → quiet period), you don’t need a full salary on your books.
2. You Need Expertise, Not Headcount
Fractional admins are often:
- More senior
More experienced across industries - Up-to-date on best practices
…at a lower cost than hiring someone full-time with similar skills.
3. You’re Using Mostly Out-of-the-Box Features
If your Salesforce org is straightforward, a fractional expert can handle:
- Monthly enhancements
- Cleanups
- Reporting
- Automations
- Governance
All without burning hours you don’t need.
4. You Want Cost Flexibility
You can scale hours up or down based on:
- Projects
- Seasons
- Budget
- Business shifts
A fractional admin provides strategic agility.
Cost Comparison: What You Need to Know
Full-Time Admin
- Salary: $95K–$140K
- Add 25–30% for benefits
- Ongoing training & certifications
Fractional Admin
- Typically $125–$175/hr or monthly retainer
- Only pay for what you need
- No overhead, no benefits, no recruiting cost
If your organization needs under 20 hours/week, fractional is almost always the smarter choice.
Which Should You Choose? Quick Decision Guide
| Your Situation | Best Fit |
| < 75 users | Fractional |
| 75–150 users | Depends on complexity |
| > 150 users | Full-time |
| Heavy customization | Full-time |
| Mostly standard Salesforce | Fractional |
| Consistent daily support needed | Full-time |
| Project-based needs | Fractional |
| Rapid scaling | Full-time |
| Tight budget | Fractional |
Hybrid Models Are Growing—And For Good Reason
Many organizations blend both:
A full-time admin handles day-to-day work, while a fractional expert oversees complex projects, audits, integrations, or system redesigns.
This gives you:
- Strategic oversight
- Tactical execution
- Lower cost
- Faster progress
Final Thought
Hiring the right Salesforce admin isn’t just a staffing decision…it’s an operational strategy.
If you need constant, daily support, choose full-time.
If you need expert-level guidance without the payroll cost, fractional is the smarter move.
And if you’re still not sure, I can help you map out exactly what your org needs.
