Salary report · US · 2026
Business Development Manager Salary
The average business development manager salary is $86,938 per year in the United States in 2026. Base pay runs from $54,000 at the 10th percentile to $140,000 at the 90th, with a median of $87,000. Bonuses add $2,000–$31,000, putting total pay between roughly $56,000 and $153,000.
Definition & distribution
What is the average business development manager salary?
A business development manager earns an average base salary of $86,938 per year in the US as of 2026. The role drives revenue growth, and commission plus bonus can push total pay well beyond base for strong performers.
The distribution has a long top tail. The 10th percentile at $54,000 is 38% below the $87,000 median, while the 90th at $140,000 is 61% above it. Commission is common and large, so top performers earn well beyond the base range.
Known limitations. This record is built on 3,528 salary profiles (last updated July 2026). The median is reliable; base figures exclude commission, which is common and often substantial.
Pay components
How is business development manager total pay structured?
Reported total compensation for business development managers has two consistent components below: base salary and annual bonus. Commission is common and often large.
| Component | Low | High | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $54,000 | $140,000 | Dense around the $87k median |
| Annual bonus | $2,000 | $31,000 | Up to ~22% of top-end base |
| Total pay | $56,000 | $153,000 | Excludes commission |
Pay by experience
How does experience change a business development manager salary?
Business development manager pay rises steadily with experience and deal track record. Entry-level sits about 29% below the role average, and experienced managers reach roughly 18% above.
- 01
Entry level (<1 year): ~29% below average
New managers building their first pipeline and partnerships.
- 02
Early to mid career: −15% to +3%
Pay crosses the role average as managers close bigger deals and own accounts.
- 03
Experienced: +18% over average
The top of the range, held by managers with strong deal track records and commission.
Skills
Which skills affect a business development manager salary?
Reported skills split into three tiers. Business development is the baseline; CRM and account management command a premium; and strategy opens the senior band.
- 01
Business development — the baseline
New business development and sales appear across profiles. They define the role.
- 02
CRM & accounts — the premium tier
Customer relationship management and account management map to higher-paying roles.
- 03
Strategy — the promotion tier
Business strategy carries pay toward director-level business-development roles.
Geography
Where do business development managers earn the most?
Reported profiles concentrate in large metros with dense sales and enterprise demand.
| Metro | Market character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | Energy & enterprise | Top of range; good pay-to-cost ratio |
| New York, NY | Finance & enterprise | High pay, high cost of living |
| Dallas, TX | Corporate & sales HQs | Strong demand |
| Chicago, IL | Enterprise & fintech | Diversified demand |
| Los Angeles, CA | Media & enterprise | Broad demand |
Check your pay
Where does your salary fall?
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Raising your pay
How can business development managers increase their salary?
Three mechanisms reliably move business development manager pay, in descending order of effect:
- 01
Build a strong deal track record
Closing bigger deals unlocks commission and the top of the range.
- 02
Own larger accounts and territories
Bigger books of business raise both base and variable pay.
- 03
Move toward director roles
Director of business development is where pay continues past this title.
FAQ
Business Development Manager salary: FAQ
About $140,000 per year at the 90th percentile of base pay. With bonuses of up to $31,000 — and often large commission — top-end total compensation reaches roughly $153,000 or well beyond.
About $54,000 per year at the 10th percentile of base pay. Figures this low typically reflect managers building their first pipeline.
Most reliably by building a strong deal track record, owning larger accounts and territories, and moving toward director roles.
Yes, and usually commission too. Reported annual bonuses range from about $2,000 to $31,000, bringing total pay to between roughly $56,000 and $153,000 per year before commission.
Reliable at the median, built on 3,528 salary profiles reported to PayScale (updated July 2026). Base figures exclude commission.
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