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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
, Coburg Banks
Mark has over 30 years in recruitment, placing sales professionals from SDR to Sales Director across UK SMEs.
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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

Salary by UK region

Region
Median Base
Typical Range
vs UK
North East
£29k
£23k-£37k
-4%
North West
£29k
£23k-£37k
-2%
Yorkshire and The Humber
£29k
£23k-£37k
-3%
East Midlands
£29k
£23k-£37k
-3%
West Midlands
£29k
£23k-£37k
-2%
East of England
£30k
£24k-£38k
UK baseline
London
£32k
£26k-£41k
+7%
South East
£30k
£24k-£38k
+1%
South West
£29k
£24k-£37k
-2%
Wales
£29k
£23k-£37k
-3%
Scotland
£30k
£24k-£38k
-1%
Northern Ireland
£29k
£23k-£37k
-3%

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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