How Much Does a VP of Business Development Salary Make? (2025)
The role of a Vice President (VP) of Business Development is critical in driving growth, partnerships, and revenue expansion across industries. Understanding the VP of business development salary is essential for professionals seeking new opportunities, negotiating offers, or advancing their careers.
As of September 18, 2025, the average salary for a VP of Business Development in the United States is approximately $428,901 per year. This figure reflects base compensation and does not include bonuses, incentives, or benefits.
This guide breaks down national and regional salaries, the impact of experience, and strategies to increase earnings as a VP of Business Development.
What is the VP of Business Development Average Salary?
As of September 18, 2025, the average salary for a VP of Business Development is $428,901 per year. Salaries typically fall within a range depending on experience, location, and industry.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $181 | $7,245 | $31,395 | $376,746 |
| 25th Percentile | $193 | $7,723 | $33,467 | $401,601 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $206 | $8,248 | $35,742 | $428,901 |
| 75th Percentile | $228 | $9,121 | $39,525 | $474,301 |
| 90th Percentile | $248 | $9,916 | $42,970 | $515,635 |
between $376,746 and $515,635, depending on factors such as experience, location, industry, and specific responsibilities.
VP of Business Development Salary: $428,901 per year ($206 per hour)
The average monthly salary for Vice Presidents of Business Development is about $35,742, with a weekly salary of approximately $8,248. The hourly wage for this role averages around $206. For those seeking additional salary insights, platforms like Salary.com provide reliable benchmarks to help human resource teams and professionals verify and review compensation packages before proceeding with career decisions.
VP of Business Development Salaries State by State
The VP of business development salary can vary significantly by state, influenced by cost of living, local demand, and industry presence. The District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for vice presidents at $474,901 per year, while Mississippi reports one of the lowest at $382,501 per year.
Major states like New York (NY) consistently rank among the highest-paying states, making location a crucial factor when professionals review and verify salary expectations before proceeding with career decisions.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $464,301 |
| Alabama | $394,101 |
| Arkansas | $387,501 |
| Arizona | $417,901 |
| California | $473,101 |
| Colorado | $437,601 |
| Connecticut | $458,401 |
| District of Columbia | $474,901 |
| Delaware | $434,401 |
| Florida | $405,801 |
| Georgia | $413,701 |
| Hawaii | $448,301 |
| Iowa | $410,501 |
| Idaho | $400,401 |
| Illinois | $437,201 |
| Indiana | $411,701 |
| Kansas | $408,401 |
| Kentucky | $403,601 |
| Louisiana | $407,801 |
| Massachusetts | $466,801 |
| Maryland | $442,301 |
| Maine | $418,201 |
| Michigan | $422,401 |
| Minnesota | $438,901 |
| Missouri | $407,501 |
| Mississippi | $382,501 |
| Montana | $404,901 |
| North Carolina | $407,601 |
| North Dakota | $423,701 |
| Nebraska | $404,101 |
| New Hampshire | $433,601 |
| New Jersey | $464,901 |
| New Mexico | $397,301 |
| Nevada | $424,501 |
| New York | $456,001 |
| Ohio | $417,601 |
| Oklahoma | $396,601 |
| Oregon | $435,601 |
| Pennsylvania | $427,001 |
| Rhode Island | $444,701 |
| South Carolina | $401,901 |
| South Dakota | $389,801 |
| Tennessee | $400,801 |
| Texas | $418,401 |
| Utah | $410,701 |
| Virginia | $431,901 |
| Vermont | $421,001 |
| Washington | $465,101 |
| Wisconsin | $421,901 |
| West Virginia | $386,201 |
| Wyoming | $411,301 |
Best-Paying Cities for VP of Business Development
Similar to other executive leadership roles, the VP of business development salary can vary widely by location, largely influenced by the cost of living, security of the job market, and industry demand.
For example, as of September 18, 2025, San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, and New York, NY are among the highest-paying cities, with salaries for vice presidents exceeding $497,000 per year. These metropolitan areas are home to large corporations and global headquarters, driving strong demand for experienced vice presidents who can verify, review, and oversee high-level strategic initiatives before proceeding with critical business development decisions.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $541,001 |
| San Francisco, CA | $535,701 |
| Oakland, CA | $523,801 |
| New York, NY | $497,101 |
| Queens Village, NY | $493,801 |
| Paramus, NJ | $490,401 |
How Experience Affects the VP of Business Development Salary
Experience directly impacts the VP of business development salary, with pay steadily increasing as professionals take on more responsibilities. At the entry level, vice presidents typically earn about $412,056, while intermediate-level executives report salaries of around $414,492.
Moving up, a senior VP of business development earns roughly $417,740, and at the specialist level, salaries rise to about $422,611. Finally, expert VPs command the highest pay at $428,701 per year, reflecting their ability to verify strategies, respond to market changes, provide corporate security through long-term planning, and review critical partnership action plans.
This progression highlights the importance of human connection and leadership skills in completing complex business deals while maintaining organizational excellence.
| Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level VP of Business Development | $412,056 |
| Intermediate Level VP of Business Development | $414,492 |
| Senior Level VP of Business Development | $417,740 |
| Specialist Level VP of Business Development | $422,611 |
| Expert Level VP of Business Development | $428,701 |
How to Increase Salary as a VP of Business Development
Increasing your VP of business development salary often requires a combination of strategic career moves, negotiation, and continuous professional growth. Since this role sits at the intersection of revenue generation, partnerships, and corporate strategy, executives who take deliberate steps to enhance their value often see significant salary gains. Here are five proven ways to increase earnings in this position:
- Work in the highest-paying cities: Relocating to areas such as San Jose, San Francisco, or New York, NY can substantially raise pay. These regions are home to global tech firms, financial giants, and innovative startups, which reward business development leaders for their ability to secure partnerships and scale revenue.
- Advance to senior leadership roles: Moving from entry-level to expert or executive vice president positions leads to higher compensation. At the senior and expert levels, VPs oversee larger teams, manage multimillion-dollar contracts, and set long-term revenue strategies, responsibilities that justify significantly higher pay.
- Target high-growth industries: Not all industries pay equally. Technology, healthcare, finance, and SaaS sectors often provide higher salaries compared to manufacturing or retail, largely because of stronger revenue streams and competitive markets. Choosing to specialize in fast-growing industries increases demand for business development expertise and improves earning potential.
- Negotiate total compensation packages: Base salary is just one part of a VP's income. Many companies offer bonuses, stock options, profit sharing, and executive perks. Effective negotiation ensures that VPs capture the full value of their contribution. Before accepting or proceeding with an offer, professionals should carefully review and verify all benefits included.
- Invest in leadership, networking, and certifications: Ongoing education in strategic leadership, contract negotiation, and international business can add credibility. Executive certifications (such as those from Harvard Business School Online or Wharton Executive Education) and active participation in industry associations also help VPs strengthen human connections, which directly influence career advancement and pay growth.
By combining these strategies, vice presidents not only increase their immediate earnings but also position themselves for broader executive opportunities, including Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) or Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) roles, which often come with even higher compensation.
VP of Business Development Skills
VP of Business Development skills can be diverse, with expertise in tactical planning boosting salaries by up to 10.50%. Proficiency in competitive intelligence (CI) and marketing channel strategy raises pay by about 10.40% to 10.30%, while strong abilities in partnership development, sales management, and sales strategy bring increases of around 10.00%.
Meanwhile, advanced knowledge in business development and business strategy also supports higher earnings, especially in top-paying markets such as San Jose, CA and New York, NY, where companies place a premium on leadership that drives measurable growth.
| Skill | Salary Increase (%) | Skill Demand (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Planning | +10.50% | 7.69% |
| Competitive Intelligence (CI) | +10.40% | 8.37% |
| Marketing Channel Strategy | +10.30% | 8.10% |
| Partnership Development | +10.00% | 7.53% |
| Sales Management | +10.00% | 9.62% |
| Sales Strategy | +10.00% | 8.74% |
| Business Development | +10.00% | 7.43% |
| Business Strategy | +10.00% | 8.31% |
What are the FAQs About VP of Business Development Salaries?
Here are some common questions about VP of Business Development salaries:
Is the VP of Business Development salary higher in large companies?
Yes. Vice presidents of business development in large corporations typically earn higher salaries because of the scale of operations, the complexity of managing teams, and the need to execute strategic growth initiatives across multiple markets.
Does industry affect how much a VP of Business Development is paid?
Absolutely. VPs working in technology, finance, or healthcare often report higher salaries compared to those in smaller industries. High-growth sectors place a stronger emphasis on strategic leadership and competitive intelligence, which boosts compensation.
Can certifications increase a VP of Business Development's salary?
Yes. Earning certifications in sales leadership, strategic management, or business analytics can strengthen a VP's professional profile and often lead to higher pay. These credentials verify expertise and provide leverage during salary negotiations.
Do VPs of Business Development earn bonuses in addition to salary?
Most do. Beyond base pay, many VPs receive performance-based bonuses tied to revenue growth, partnerships secured, or long-term business development goals. In competitive industries, stock options and profit-sharing are also common.
