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Sales Development Representative I Salary in the United States

How much does a Sales Development Representative I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sales Development Representative I in the United States is $60,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Sales Development Representative I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,911
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,890 to $68,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,332
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Sales Development Representative I Salaries

A Sales Development Representative I'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Sales Development Representative Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Sales Development Representative I'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:

  • Sales Development Representative I (0-2 years): $60,290
  • Intermediate Sales Representative (2-4 years): $76,667
  • Senior Sales Representative (4-7 years): $98,190
  • Specialist/Lead Sales Representative (7+ years): $129,539
  • Expert/Lead Sales Representative (7-10 years): $145,349
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Sales Development Representative I0-2 years$60,290
Intermediate Sales Representative2-4 years$76,667
Senior Sales Representative4-7 years$98,190
Specialist/Lead Sales Representative7+ years$129,539
Expert/Lead Sales Representative7-10 years$145,349
View as Graph

How Do Sales Development Representative I 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 Sales Development Representative Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $66,790.
  • California: $66,490.
  • Massachusetts: $65,690.

Top Paying Cities for Sales Development Representative Is

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: $76,090
  • San Francisco: $75,290
  • Oakland: $73,690

What Skills Can Increase a Sales Development Representative I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10.23% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Inside Sales (Mentioned in 1.74% Job Postings): Selling products or services remotely via phone, email, and other digital channels.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 1.48% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 10.23%
Inside Sales 1.74%
Work Ethic 1.48%
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 Sales Development Representative I's salary.

  • Sales Development: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Prioritization: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Sales and Marketing: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Sales Development $68,731
14%
Prioritization $67,525
12%
Sales and Marketing $66,922
11%
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Sales Development Representative I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Sales Development Representative I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $67,377. While startup companies pay approximate $56,994.

Sales Development Representative I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $56,994
Growth Stage 51~500 $60,277
Established 501~5000 $65,061
Enterprise 5000+ $67,377

Sales Development Representative I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Sales Development Representative I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Sales Development Representative positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Sales Development Representative I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Sales Development Representative I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$78,377$38.030%
Aerospace & Defense$72,348$35.020%
Biotechnology$66,319$32.010%

Sales Development Representative I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Sales Development Representative I'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 September 01, 2026
$50,890
Average $60,290/year
$68,990
$4,241
Average $5,024/month
$5,749
$979
Average $1,159/week
$1,327
$24
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,990 $5,749 $1,327 $33
Average $60,290 $5,024 $1,159 $29
25th Percentile $50,890 $4,241 $979 $24

Most common benefits for Sales Development Representative I

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

Common company salaries for Sales Development Representative I

Here are companies hiring for Sales Development Representative I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Sales Development Representative I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Sales Development Representative I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Sales Development Representative I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How much should an SDR make?

The salary for a Sales Development Representative typically ranges from $54,290 to $74,590 annually. The midpoint salary is around $64,190. This range reflects base pay and may include performance bonuses, aligning with industry standards for SDR roles.

3. Do you need a degree for sales development representative?

While a bachelor's degree may be preferred for some Sales Development Representative roles, it is not always mandatory. Gaining knowledge through sales courses can be beneficial. The salary for this position typically ranges from $54,290 to $74,590, with a midpoint of $64,190, reflecting the value of skills and experience in the field.

4. Is SDR the hardest sales job?

While SDRs face significant challenges in setting qualified meetings, their role is crucial in the sales process. With salaries ranging from $54,290 to $74,590, the position demands resilience and skill. Ultimately, you can't close a deal without first opening the door, making SDRs vital to sales success.

5. How much does a sales development representative at Fastly make?

The estimated total pay range for a Sales Development Representative at Fastly is approximately $54,290 to $74,590 per year, based on the provided salary data. This range reflects the minimum, mid, and maximum salaries for the role, excluding any additional compensation.

6. What comes after SDR?

After 1-2 years as a Sales Development Representative (SDR), you can explore various career paths such as Customer Success, Account Manager, Marketing, Channel Sales, Strategic Accounts, Sales Training, and Sales Operations. Salaries for SDRs typically range from $54,290 to $74,590, with a midpoint around $64,190, reflecting growth potential in these roles.

7. What companies pay SDRs the most?

Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) can expect salaries that vary by company. Based on the provided salary data, the minimum salary is $54,290, the mid-range salary is $64,190, and the maximum salary reaches $74,590. Companies like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud are known to offer competitive salaries, with Amazon paying around $73,000 and Google at $70,000.

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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