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Sales Salary Guide

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

What a Sales 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

SDR pay is entry-level base plus meaningful commission, and it's a fast route to higher-earning closing roles. If you're hiring or benchmarking, the figures below give a realistic picture of what a Sales Development Representative costs in the current market.

⚡ In short

A Sales Development Representative in the UK typically earns a base salary of £24k to £38k, with a median of around £30k, 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.

£30k

Median base salary

£24k-£38k

Typical range

+10-20%

London premium

£40k-£50k OTE

On-target earnings

What affects a Sales Development Representative's salary

1

Commission plan

Commission on meetings or pipeline is a big part of earnings.

2

Sector

SaaS and tech SDRs earn the most, base and OTE.

3

Progression

The step up to AE or BDM raises pay quickly.

Sales Development Representative salary by experience

Experience Level
Typical Salary
Entry-level / Newly Appointed
£24k-£28k
Experienced
£28k-£33k
Senior / Lead
£33k-£40k

How to benchmark and set the salary

1. Start with the market range
For a Sales Development Representative, that's roughly £24k to £38k 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
Commission for booked meetings or pipeline typically adds 30-60% to an SDR's base, so a £30k base can mean £40k-£50k on target. 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 Sales Development Representative earn in the UK?

A Sales Development Representative typically earns a base salary of £24k to £38k, with a median around £30k.

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

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

Entry-level or newly appointed Sales Development Representatives usually start around £24k-£28k.

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

Do Sales Development Representatives earn more in London?

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

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

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

What bonus or commission does a Sales Development Representative get?

Commission for booked meetings or pipeline typically adds 30-60% to an SDR's base, so a £30k base can mean £40k-£50k on target.

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 Sales 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 Sales 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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