2026 business development salary guide.

This guide is for employers hiring into sales, partnerships, or commercial growth, as well as professionals in business development roles. Whether you're hiring revenue-focused talent or exploring your next sales role, this guide is built for you.

You’ll get clear salary benchmarks across senior, mid-level, and junior sales roles for 2026. It also includes insights into high-demand skill sets, hiring trends, and how market shifts are affecting pay across business development functions.

The guide includes roles such as Chief Revenue Officer, Sales Director, Business Development Manager, Account Executive, Partnership Manager, SDRs and BDRs. It spans commercial leadership through to entry-level sales positions.

Business development professionals are earning an average salary of £70,206 in 2026. This is based on a defined range of roles including business development representatives, sales managers, partnership leads, account directors, and CROs. With revenue growth a priority across all sectors, salaries for business development roles remain among the highest in the marketing and sales space.

Increased focus on new business, revenue growth, and long-term client partnerships is raising demand for experienced sales professionals. Companies are investing more in talent that can convert leads, close deals, and grow accounts sustainably.

Yes, we do. Our bespoke salary benchmarking service provides accurate, real-time market data for sales and business development roles. It's ideal for setting salaries, planning recruitment, or reviewing existing structures. Learn more here.