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Chief Business Development Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief Business Development Officer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Business Development Officer in the United States is $430,555 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $207.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $518,310
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $403,248 to $476,489
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $378,386
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chief Business Development Officer Salaries

A Chief Business Development Officer'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 Chief Business Development Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Business Development Officer'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:

  • Business Development Manager, Sr. (5+ years): $174,054
  • Business Development Director (5+ years): $210,767
  • Vice President of Business Development (5+ years): $271,011
  • SVP of Business Development (5+ years): $321,041
  • Chief Business Development Officer (5+ years): $430,555
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Business Development Manager, Sr.5+ years$174,054
Business Development Director5+ years$210,767
Vice President of Business Development5+ years$271,011
SVP of Business Development5+ years$321,041
Chief Business Development Officer5+ years$430,555
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How Do Chief Business Development Officers Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Chief Business Development Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $476,710.
  • California: $474,902.
  • Massachusetts: $468,573.

Top Paying Cities for Chief Business Development Officer

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: $543,059
  • San Francisco: $537,113
  • Oakland: $525,794

What Skills Can Increase a Chief Business Development Officer'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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.14%
Financial Accounting 1.51%
Sales and Marketing 1.09%
See More Skills

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 Chief Business Development Officer'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 $503,749
17%
Brand Management $499,444
16%
Innovation $473,611
10%
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Chief Business Development Officer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Business Development Officer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $481,981. While startup companies pay approximate $407,745.

Chief Business Development Officer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $407,745
Growth Stage 51~500 $431,239
Established 501~5000 $465,439
Enterprise 5000+ $481,981

Chief Business Development Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Business Development Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Chief Business Development Officer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Business Development Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Chief Business Development Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$516,666$248.020%

How Education impacts an Chief Business Development Officer's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Chief Business Development Officer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $314,522 and $346,399.

Chief Business Development Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief Business Development Officer
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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Chief Business Development Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Business Development Officer'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 August 01, 2026
$403,248
Average $430,555/year
$476,489
$33,604
Average $35,880/month
$39,707
$7,755
Average $8,280/week
$9,163
$194
Average $207/hour
$229
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $476,489 $39,707 $9,163 $229
Average $430,555 $35,880 $8,280 $207
25th Percentile $403,248 $33,604 $7,755 $194

Most common benefits for Chief Business Development Officer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Chief Business Development Officer

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

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FAQ about Chief Business Development Officer

1. Where can a Chief Business Development Officer earn the most?

A Chief Business Development Officer's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Chief Business Development Officer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Chief Business Development Officer is $543,059.

2. What is the highest pay for Chief Business Development Officer?

The highest pay for Chief Business Development Officer is $518,310.

3. What is the lowest pay for Chief Business Development Officer?

The lowest pay for Chief Business Development Officer is $378,386.

4. What are the responsibilities of Chief Business Development Officer?

Develops and leads the overall business development vision, strategy, plans, and processes that will drive sales, increase revenue, expand markets, and accomplish financial objectives. Identifies and evaluates new markets, partners, channels, and customers. Develops a wide network of contacts to keep informed about current and future industry and market actions. Researches and analyzes the business environment, competitors, and customers to develop ideas for new products and services, pricing, and business models. Directs financial feasibility studies, development of proposals, and negotiations for new business opportunities. Collaborates with marketing, sales, product development, and other stakeholders to support business development plans. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). C-Suite level management. Develops functional or business unit strategy for an organization. Executes multiple high impact initiatives to achieve organizational goals. Defines vision, strategy, and focus for a major functional or business unit. Substantial experience with setting key metrics like KPIs or OKRs and shaping plans to meet objectives. Typically requires progressive leadership experience in senior management roles. Has expert level knowledge of the overall departmental function. Demonstrated experience in developing and executing long term business strategies.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief Business Development Officer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Business Development Officer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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