Sales Salary Guide

Head of Sales Salary UK: How Much Do They Earn? (2026)

What a Head of Sales 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.

Head of Sales pay depends on whether the role still carries a personal number and how big the team is beneath them. If you're hiring or benchmarking, the figures below give a realistic picture of what a Head of Sales costs in the current market.

⚡ In short

A Head of Sales in the UK typically earns a base salary of £55k to £95k, with a median of around £75k, plus bonus.

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.

£75k

Median base salary

£55k-£95k

Typical range

+10-20%

London premium

+15-25%

Typical bonus

What affects a Head of Sales's salary

Team size and target

Leading a larger team with a bigger number pushes pay up.

Still selling or not

Player-coach roles that carry a personal quota often pay more in total through commission.

Sector

Tech and SaaS sit at the top of the range; traditional industries lower.

Head of Sales salary by experience

Experience Level

Typical Salary

Entry-level / Newly Appointed

£55k-£65k

Experienced

£65k-£82k

Senior / Lead

£82k-£100k

How to benchmark and set the salary

1. Start with the market range
For a Head of Sales, that's roughly £55k to £95k 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
Most Heads of Sales earn a bonus of 15-25% of base tied to team target, and many still carry a personal commission element. 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 Head of Sales earn in the UK?

A Head of Sales typically earns a base salary of £55k to £95k, with a median around £75k.

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

What's the starting salary for a Head of Sales?

Entry-level or newly appointed Head of Saless usually start around £55k-£65k.

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

Do Head of Saless earn more in London?

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

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

For a Head of Sales specifically, team size and target tends to move the numbers most, so weigh that when you benchmark.

What bonus or commission does a Head of Sales get?

Most Heads of Sales earn a bonus of 15-25% of base tied to team target, and many still carry a personal commission element.

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 Head of Sales?

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 Head of Sales 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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