As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sales Development Representative I in Tennessee is $56,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
However, a Sales Development Representative I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Sales Development Representative I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $64,390 | $5,366 | $1,238 | $31 |
| Average | $56,390 | $4,699 | $1,084 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,490 | $3,958 | $913 | $23 |
TDS Telecom - Knoxville, TN
TDS Telecom - Knoxville, TN
Safety-Kleen - Karns, TN
Safety-Kleen - Concord Farragut, TN
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Development Representative I | 0-2 years | $56,333 |
| Intermediate Sales Representative | 2-4 years | $71,630 |
| Senior Sales Representative | 4-7 years | $91,747 |
| Specialist/Lead Sales Representative | 7+ years | $121,039 |
| Expert/Lead Sales Representative | 7-10 years | $135,842 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
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 $63,072. While startup companies pay approximate $53,340.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $53,340 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $56,415 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $60,908 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $63,072 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $73,307 | $35.0 | 30% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $67,668 | $33.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $62,029 | $30.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $64,390 | $5,366 | $1,238 | $31 |
| Average | $56,390 | $4,699 | $1,084 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,490 | $3,958 | $913 | $23 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Sales Development Representative I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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