upper level job

Business Development Associate I Salary in the United States

How much does a Business Development Associate I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Business Development Associate I in the United States is $63,949 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,181
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,446 to $68,258
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,615

Key Factors That Influence Business Development Associate I Salaries

A Business Development Associate 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 Business Development Associate I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Business Development Associate 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:

  • Business Development Associate I (0-2 years): $63,949
  • Business Development Associate II (2-4 years): $76,209
  • Business Development Associate III (4-7 years): $98,828
  • Business Development Associate IV (7+ years): $130,216
  • Business Development Associate V (7-10 years): $167,038
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Business Development Associate I0-2 years$63,949
Business Development Associate II2-4 years$76,209
Business Development Associate III4-7 years$98,828
Business Development Associate IV7+ years$130,216
Business Development Associate V7-10 years$167,038

Top Paying Cities for Business Development Associate I

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: $80,659
  • San Francisco: $79,776
  • Oakland: $78,095

What Skills Can Increase a Business Development Associate I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 3.84% 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.
  • B2B (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): B2B (business-to-business), a type of electronic commerce (e-commerce), is the exchange of products, services or information between businesses, rather than between businesses and consumers (B2C).
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 3.84%
B2B 2.06%
Microsoft Office 1.62%

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 Business Development Associate I's salary.

  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Sales Process: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scheduling $69,065
8%
Innovation $68,425
7%
Sales Process $68,425
7%

Business Development Associate I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Business Development Associate I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,466. While startup companies pay approximate $60,453.

Business Development Associate I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,453
Growth Stage 51~500 $63,935
Established 501~5000 $69,009
Enterprise 5000+ $71,466

Business Development Associate I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Business Development Associate I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Business Development Associate positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Business Development Associate I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Business Development Associate I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$79,936$38.025%
Pharmaceuticals$78,018$38.022%
Internet$75,460$36.018%
Energy & Utilities$73,541$35.015%
Insurance$70,344$34.010%

Business Development Associate I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Business Development Associate 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
$56,446
Average $63,949/year
$68,258
$4,704
Average $5,329/month
$5,688
$1,086
Average $1,230/week
$1,313
$27
Average $31/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,258 $5,688 $1,313 $33
Average $63,949 $5,329 $1,230 $31
25th Percentile $56,446 $4,704 $1,086 $27

Business Development Associate I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Business Development Associate I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Business Development Associate I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Business Development Associate II $76,209 19%
Business Development Manager - Biotech $136,739 114%

Most common benefits for Business Development Associate I

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

Common company salaries for Business Development Associate I

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

Find Your Next Business Development Associate I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Business Development Associate I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Business Development Associate I

1. Where can a Business Development Associate I earn the most?

A Business Development Associate I'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 Business Development Associate I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Business Development Associate I is $80,659.

2. What is the highest pay for Business Development Associate I?

The highest pay for Business Development Associate I is $72,181.

3. What is the lowest pay for Business Development Associate I?

The lowest pay for Business Development Associate I is $49,615.

4. What are the responsibilities of Business Development Associate I?

Identifies and nurtures strategic relationships with partners or potential customers. Assists in the development of a strong pipeline of new business opportunities through direct or indirect customer contact and prospecting. Works with marketing, sales, and product development teams to implement business development initiatives. Requires a bachelor's degree in business, finance or marketing. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Business Development Associate I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Business Development Associate I roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst