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Sales Salary Guide

Business Development Representative Salary UK: How Much Do They Earn? (2026)

What a Business Development Representative earns in the UK in 2026, broken down by experience, region and the factors that move the numbers.
By Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Coburg Banks
Mark has over 30 years in recruitment, placing sales professionals from SDR to Sales Director across UK SMEs.
Mark's Linkedin Profile

BDR pay mirrors the SDR range, with a slight premium where the role is pure outbound in a tech setting. If you're hiring or benchmarking, the figures below give a realistic picture of what a Business Development Representative costs in the current market.

⚡ In short

A Business Development Representative in the UK typically earns a base salary of £26k to £40k, with a median of around £32k, plus commission.

Pay rises with experience, sits higher in London and high-growth sectors, and the total package can be well above base once incentives are included.

£32k

Median base salary

£26k-£40k

Typical range

+10-20%

London premium

£42k-£55k OTE

On-target earnings

What affects a Business Development Representative's salary

1

Commission plan

Commission on pipeline drives total earnings.

2

Sector

Tech and SaaS BDRs earn the most.

3

Progression

A clear path to closing roles lifts earnings.

Business Development Representative salary by experience

Experience Level
Typical Salary
Entry-level / Newly Appointed
£26k-£30k
Experienced
£30k-£35k
Senior / Lead
£35k-£42k

How to benchmark and set the salary

1. Start with the market range
For a Business Development Representative, that's roughly £26k to £40k base. Pitch too low and you won't get replies; too high and you overpay.

2. Adjust for experience
Use the bands in the table above - entry, experienced and senior - rather than a single figure, and match the level you actually need.

3. Factor in location
London and the South East add 10-20%. A remote or regional role can be pitched a little lower for the same calibre.

4. Add the incentive
Outbound BDRs usually earn commission taking OTE 30-60% above base, rewarding pipeline generated from cold. Candidates compare total earnings, so lead with the package, not just the base.

5. Move at the right speed
Strong sales people have options. A competitive offer made quickly beats a slightly higher one that drags.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Business Development Representative earn in the UK?

A Business Development Representative typically earns a base salary of £26k to £40k, with a median around £32k.

Plus commission, so total earnings are usually higher than base alone.

What's the starting salary for a Business Development Representative?

Entry-level or newly appointed Business Development Representatives usually start around £26k-£30k.

The figure rises with proven results, sector experience and location, so a strong track record commands more from day one.

Do Business Development Representatives earn more in London?

Yes. London and the South East typically add +10-20% to base for a Business Development Representative, reflecting higher living costs and competition for talent.

Remote and regional roles can be pitched a little lower for the same calibre of candidate.

What affects a Business Development Representative's salary?

The main drivers are experience, sector, location and company size, plus the structure of any bonus or commission.

For a Business Development Representative specifically, commission plan tends to move the numbers most, so weigh that when you benchmark.

What bonus or commission does a Business Development Representative get?

Outbound BDRs usually earn commission taking OTE 30-60% above base, rewarding pipeline generated from cold.

Always compare total on-target earnings rather than base alone, since the incentive can be a large share of the package.

How do I set a competitive salary to attract a Business Development Representative?

Benchmark against the current range above, pitch at the right experience band, add a clear incentive, and factor in location.

If you'd like a live read on what your Business Development Representative role should pay to attract strong candidates, we benchmark it for free as part of the search - no fee until your hire starts.

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