Sales Salary Guide

Commercial Director Salary UK: How Much Do They Earn? (2026)

What a Commercial Director 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

Because the remit stretches beyond sales into pricing and margin, Commercial Director pay is usually a notch above a Sales Director in the same business. If you're hiring or benchmarking, the figures below give a realistic picture of what a Commercial Director costs in the current market.

⚡ In short

A Commercial Director in the UK typically earns a base salary of £75k to £135k, with a median of around £100k, plus bonus and often equity.

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.

£100k

Median base salary

£75k-£135k

Typical range

+10-20%

London premium

£150k+ package

With bonus

What affects a Commercial Director's salary

Breadth of remit

Owning pricing, margin and P&L on top of sales lifts the package.

P&L size

The bigger the commercial P&L, the higher the pay.

Equity

In scale-ups, equity often forms a meaningful part of the total.

Commercial Director salary by experience

Experience Level

Typical Salary

Entry-level / Newly Appointed

£75k-£90k

Experienced

£90k-£115k

Senior / Lead

£115k-£140k

How to benchmark and set the salary

1. Start with the market range
For a Commercial Director, that's roughly £75k to £135k 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
Bonus and equity commonly add 30-40% at Commercial Director level, linked to margin and profit rather than pure revenue. 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.

How much does a Commercial Director earn in the UK?

A Commercial Director typically earns a base salary of £75k to £135k, with a median around £100k.

Plus bonus and often equity, so total earnings are usually higher than base alone.

What's the starting salary for a Commercial Director?

Entry-level or newly appointed Commercial Directors usually start around £75k-£90k.

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

Do Commercial Directors earn more in London?

Yes. London and the South East typically add +10-20% to base for a Commercial Director, 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 Commercial Director's salary?

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

For a Commercial Director specifically, breadth of remit tends to move the numbers most, so weigh that when you benchmark.

What bonus or commission does a Commercial Director get?

Bonus and equity commonly add 30-40% at Commercial Director level, linked to margin and profit rather than pure revenue.

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 Commercial Director?

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 Commercial Director role should pay to attract strong candidates, we benchmark it for free as part of the search - no fee until your hire starts.

External citations

Sources:
- REC
- ONS Labour Market
- Coburg Banks Trustpilot

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