Top Business Development Executive Salary in the United States

How much does a Top Business Development Executive make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Top Business Development Executive in the United States is $430,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $207.

However, a Top Business Development Executive's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $517,599
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $402,800 to $475,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $377,945
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View as table View as graph 25% $402,800 10% $377,945 90% $517,599 75% $475,900 $430,100 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Top Business Development Executive Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $475,900 $39,658 $9,152 $229
Average $430,100 $35,842 $8,271 $207
25th Percentile $402,800 $33,567 $7,746 $194
Check out Top Business Development Executive Job Openings in the United States
Business Development Executive

MARSH - Cleveland, OH

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FC Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH

Business Development Executive

Mercer France - Cleveland, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Top Business Development Executive Salaries

A Top Business Development Executive's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Top Business Development Executive Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Top Business Development Executive's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Senior Manager Business Growth and Development (5+ years): $174,067
  • Director Business Growth and Development (5+ years): $210,722
  • VP Business Development (5+ years): $270,920
  • Business Development Executive (5+ years): $320,843
  • Top Business Development Executive (5+ years): $430,051
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Senior Manager Business Growth and Development5+ years$174,067
Director Business Growth and Development5+ years$210,722
VP Business Development5+ years$270,920
Business Development Executive5+ years$320,843
Top Business Development Executive5+ years$430,051
$174,067 Senior Ma...
$210,722 Director ...
$270,920 VP Busine...
$320,843 Business ...
$430,051 Top Busin...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Top Business Development Executives

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $542,500
  • San Francisco: $536,500
  • Oakland: $525,200

What Skills Can Increase a Top Business Development Executive's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.14% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Financial Accounting (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Financial accounting (or financial accountancy) is the field of accounting concerned with the summary, analysis and reporting of financial transactions related to a business. This involves the preparation of financial statements available for public use. Stockholders, suppliers, banks, employees, government agencies, business owners, and other stakeholders are examples of people interested in receiving such information for decision making purposes. Financial accountancy is governed by both local and international accounting standards. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is the standard framework of guidelines for financial accounting used in any given jurisdiction. It includes the standards, conventions and rules that accountants follow in recording and summarizing and in the preparation of financial statements. On the other hand, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is a set of passionable accounting standards stating how particular types of transactions and other events should be reported in financial statements. IFRS are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). With IFRS becoming more widespread on the international scene, consistency in financial reporting has become more prevalent between global organizations.
  • Sales and Marketing (Mentioned in 1.09% Job Postings): Marketing consists of the strategies your company employs to generate interest in your business. Sales are the methods by which you convert that interest into a transaction.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.14%
Financial Accounting 1.51%
Sales and Marketing 1.09%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Top Business Development Executive's salary.
  • Hard Working: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Brand Management: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Hard Working
$503,217
17%
Brand Management
$498,916
16%
Innovation
$473,110
10%
Insight
$473,110
10%
Strategic Planning
$468,809
9%
Leadership
$464,508
8%
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How Education impacts a Top Business Development Executive's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Top Business Development Executives enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Top Business Development Executive with a Bachelor's Degree is between $312,960 and $344,690).

Top Business Development Executive Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Top Business Development Executive
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 2.3%
Associates 2.6%
Bachelors 33.1%
Masters 53.3%
Doctorate 8.2%
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Top Business Development Executive Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Top Business Development Executive's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Top Business Development Executive

Salaries for a Top Business Development Executive can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $289,994 in 2023 to around $282,889 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Top Business Development Executive salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Top Business Development Executive Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$289,994
2024
$287,937
2025
$282,889
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $289,994
2024 $287,937
2025 $282,889
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Top Business Development Executive

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Top Business Development Executive

Here are companies hiring for Top Business Development Executive and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Top Business Development Executive

1. Is business development executive a stressful job?

Business development executives often experience significant stress due to high expectations, tight deadlines, and complex negotiations. With salaries ranging from $286,500 to $404,900, the pressure to perform can be intense. This stress can impact their performance, health, and overall well-being, making it a challenging yet rewarding career choice.

2. What is the highest salary for a BDM?

The highest salary for a Business Development Executive is ₹40.49 Lakhs per year. This role typically offers a minimum salary of ₹28.65 Lakhs and a mid-range salary of ₹33.99 Lakhs annually, reflecting the significant earning potential in this field.

3. What is Starbucks CEOs salary?

When Niccol took over as CEO of Starbucks in September 2024, his annual salary was significantly higher than the typical range for top business development executives, which is between $286,500 and $404,900. He also received a $10 million signing bonus and $75 million in stock options to offset his forfeited Chipotle equity.

4. What is the highest paying job in business management?

The highest paying job in business management is a Top Business Development Executive, with a salary range from $286,500 to $404,900. The average salary is approximately $339,900, significantly surpassing other roles like Administrative Service Manager and Project Manager, which average around $150,000 and $142,000, respectively.

5. How much do top business executives make?

Top business development executives earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $286,500, a mid-range salary of $339,900, and a maximum of $404,900. This reflects the high demand and critical role these professionals play in driving business growth and strategy.

6. How much do top business executives make?

Top business development executives earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $286,500, a mid-range salary of $339,900, and a maximum of $404,900. This reflects the high demand and critical role these professionals play in driving business growth and strategy.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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