How Much Does a Business Development Executive Make? (2025)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business development executives and other top executive jobs in the US are expected to increase by 4% from 2024 to 2034. This translates to an estimated 331,000 job openings every year for business development executives.
Salary.com reports that the average annual salary for business development executives in the United States in 2025 is $428,900. This salary guide provides a comprehensive overview of salaries, job descriptions, FAQs, and job expectations for business development executives.
What Does a Business Development Executive Do?
Business Development Executives play a key role in driving a company's growth by identifying and securing new business opportunities. They are responsible for researching market trends, generating leads, building relationships with prospective clients, and implementing sales strategies to expand the organization's customer base and revenue. They also oversee the sales cycle from lead generation to deal closure, negotiate contracts, and deliver presentations to potential clients.
Business Development Executives often collaborate with other teams such as marketing, product development, and customer support to ensure client satisfaction and seamless delivery of solutions. They attend industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to promote the company's offerings and enhance market presence.
Their work requires strong communication, negotiation skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively. Industries employing Business Development Executives include:
- Information Technology and Services
- Financial Services
- Manufacturing
- Marketing and Advertising
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Typically, a bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, finance, or a related field is required. Proven experience in sales or business development, proficiency with CRM software, and strong analytical skills are highly valued.
Successful candidates often demonstrate strong customer service skills, multitasking ability, and a results-oriented mindset. Many roles also emphasize the importance of maintaining professionalism and confidentiality while working independently or as part of a team.
What is the Business Development Executive Salary Overview?
The average salary for business development executives in the United States in 2025 is $428,900 per year, according to Salary.com. A business development executive's salary ranges from $376,475 to $515,634 per year. The average salary per month is $35,742.
Business development executives earn an average of $208 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $193 to $228. Moreover, the average salary for business development executives per week is $8,248, with weekly pay ranging from $7,723 to $9,121.
2025 Business Development Executive Salary: $428,900 ($206 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median core compensation for a business development executive is $456,700 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $255,721 |
| 25th Percentile | $351,500 |
| 50th Percentile | $456,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $593,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $717,476 |
On the other hand, the average total compensation for business development executives in the US is $571,936 according to the Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($56,209), and Social Security ($17,540), which makes up 14.4% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $428,900 | 75.0% |
| Bonus | $27,800 | 4.9% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $17,540 | 3.1% |
| 401K/403B | $10,500 | 1.8% |
| Disability | $9,134 | 1.6% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 1.5% |
| Pension | $13,500 | 2.4% |
| Time Off | $56,209 | 9.8% |
| Total Compensation | $571,936 | 100% |
What Can Affect Business Development Executive Salaries?
Various factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, and skills can significantly influence business development executive salaries. Below is a breakdown of key salary components:
By Experience Level
Over time, business development executive salaries are expected to grow in line with work experience. Salary.com data shows that entry-level business development executives with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $411,955.
In contrast, experienced business development executives working for eight or more years, considered expert-level professionals, can expect to earn an average salary of $428,600.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Business Development Executive | $411,955 |
| Intermediate Level Business Development Executive | $414,391 |
| Senior Level Business Development Executive | $417,639 |
| Specialist Level Business Development Executive | $422,510 |
| Expert Level Business Development Executive | $428,600 |
By Geographic Location
A business development executive's average salary in the United States may vary by geographic location due to key factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence.
Among the hot cities in the United States, San Francisco reports the highest business development executive salary at $142,190, while Miami and Dallas reflect lower median salaries at $109,390 and $112,390, respectively.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $470,363 | $535,700 | $643,831 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $417,013 | $474,900 | $570,804 |
| Miami, Florida | $361,855 | $412,100 | $496,396 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $389,325 | $443,200 | $532,800 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $420,131 | $478,400 | $575,069 |
| New York, New York | $436,539 | $497,100 | $597,399 |
| Dallas, Texas | $372,018 | $423,600 | $509,188 |
By Skills
Gaining sought-after skills is also an effective way to increase business development executive salaries and unlock more career opportunities. The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand business development executive skills are tactical planning and competitive intelligence with 10.50% and 10.40%, respectively.
Meanwhile, essential skills such as sales management and marketing channel strategy can increase business development executive salaries by 11.25% and 10.55%, respectively. The table below includes more in-demand skills for business development executives and their respective influence on salary:
| Skills | Demand (%) | Salary (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Management | 10.00% | +11.25% |
| Marketing Channel Strategy | 10.30% | +10.55% |
| Sales Strategy | 10.00% | +10.37% |
| Competitive Intelligence | 10.40% | +10.01% |
| Business Strategy | 10.00% | +9.95% |
| Tactical Planning | 10.50% | +9.32% |
How to Become a Business Development Executive?
Becoming a Business Development Executive usually involves obtaining a bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, finance, or a related field. However, practical experience and proven sales ability are often more heavily weighted than formal education alone for this role. Gaining hands-on experience in sales, marketing, or customer-facing roles is a common pathway into business development executive positions.
Key areas to focus on for career advancement include:
- Acquire essential skills: Develop strong communication, negotiation, analytical, and leadership skills. Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) software and digital sales tools is important. Strategic thinking and market research capabilities are also highly beneficial.
- Gain practical experience: Entry-level roles such as Sales Representative, Business Development Representative (BDR), or Account Manager provide foundational experience. Performance in generating leads, closing deals, and maintaining client relationships is critical. Career progression often takes 1-3 years to reach executive-level positions.
- Earn relevant certifications: While not always mandatory, certifications in sales methodologies (e.g., Challenger Sale, SPIN Selling), CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce Administrator), or business development can enhance one's profile and open more opportunities.
- Pursue continuous learning: Staying updated on changing market dynamics, emerging sales technologies, and industry trends is essential. Professional development through workshops, online courses, and networking helps maintain a competitive edge.
- Explore diverse industries: Business Development Executives work in many sectors such as IT services, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and marketing. Exposure to various environments broadens skills and networking opportunities.
With an effective combination of education, experience, professional development, and networking, Business Development Executives can progress to senior roles such as Business Development Manager or Director, where they oversee strategy, teams, and key client accounts.
What are the FAQs About Business development executives?
Here are some common questions about the business development executive pay:
What does a business development executive do?
Business Development Executives are responsible for driving the growth of a company by identifying and securing new business opportunities. They develop and execute strategic business development plans aimed at expanding the customer base and increasing revenue. They research market trends and prospective clients to tailor sales strategies that align with the organization's objectives.
Typical tasks of a Business Development Executive include:
- Identifying and qualifying new business leads through networking, market research, and outreach efforts.
- Building and nurturing strong relationships with potential and existing clients to understand their needs and present tailored solutions.
- Preparing and delivering presentations and sales pitches to prospective clients.
- Negotiating contracts and closing deals to meet or exceed sales goals.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams such as marketing, product development, and customer service to ensure client satisfaction and solution delivery.
- Attending industry events and conferences to promote the company and expand business connections.
- Tracking sales performance metrics and preparing regular reports for management on progress and forecasting.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, Business Development Executives ensure sustained revenue growth and market expansion while fostering strong client partnerships.
What is the highest salary for a business development executive?
A business development executive's salary may vary depending on his education, skills, experience, and geographic location. For instance, a business development executive based in San Francisco, California, earns an average salary of $535,700. On the other hand, a business development executive based in Miami, Florida only earns an average of $412,100.
Are business development executives in demand?
Yes. BLS reported that business development executive jobs are forecasted to increase by 4% from 2024 to 2034. This translates to about 331,000 job openings are still expected to be produced in the US.
How much does a business development executive make in the US?
Salary.com reports that the average annual salary for business development executives in the US is $428,900 or $206 per hour.
