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Business Development Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for a Business Development Manager in the United States is $132,291 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $158,015
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $122,140 to $145,756
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $112,898
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Business Development Manager Salaries

A Business Development Manager'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 Business Development Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Business Development Manager'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 V (7-10 years): $167,014
  • Business Development Supervisor (10+ years): $117,505
  • Business Development Manager (10+ years): $132,291
  • Business Development Manager, Sr. (10+ years): $174,041
  • Business Development Director (10+ years): $210,812
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Business Development Associate V7-10 years$167,014
Business Development Supervisor10+ years$117,505
Business Development Manager10+ years$132,291
Business Development Manager, Sr.10+ years$174,041
Business Development Director10+ years$210,812
View as Graph

How Do Business Development Manager 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 Business Development Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $146,473.
  • California: $145,917.
  • Massachusetts: $143,972.

Top Paying Cities for Business Development Managers

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: $166,859
  • San Francisco: $165,032
  • Oakland: $161,554

What Skills Can Increase a Business Development Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 5.51% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.63% 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.
  • Account Management (Mentioned in 1.07% Job Postings): An Account Manager has the role of managing sales and relationships with particular customers. An Account Manager maintains existing relationships with clients so that the business they work for is continously successful.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 5.51%
Microsoft Office 1.63%
Account Management 1.07%
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 Business Development Manager's salary.

  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration $137,583
4%
Consulting $137,583
4%
Project Management $137,583
4%
Get Latest Data

Business Development Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Business Development Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $147,646. While startup companies pay approximate $125,049.

Business Development Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $125,049
Growth Stage 51~500 $132,211
Established 501~5000 $142,565
Enterprise 5000+ $147,646

Business Development Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Business Development Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Business Development Manager positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Business Development Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Business Development Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$198,436$95.050%
Aerospace & Defense$171,978$83.030%

How Education impacts a Business Development Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Business Development Manager 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 Business Development Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $134,176 and $144,439.

Business Development Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Business Development Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 4.7%
Associates 4.3%
Bachelors 45.3%
Masters 42.6%
Doctorate 2.6%
View as Graph

Business Development Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Business Development Manager'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 November 01, 2026
$122,140
Average $132,291/year
$145,756
$10,178
Average $11,024/month
$12,146
$2,349
Average $2,544/week
$2,803
$59
Average $64/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $145,756 $12,146 $2,803 $70
Average $132,291 $11,024 $2,544 $64
25th Percentile $122,140 $10,178 $2,349 $59

Business Development Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Business Development Manager

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Business Development Manager, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Business Development Manager, Sr. $174,041 32%
Business Development Director - Biotech $179,874 36%

Most common benefits for Business Development Manager

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

Common company salaries for Business Development Manager

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

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FAQ about Business Development Manager

1. Where can a Business Development Manager earn the most?

A Business Development Manager'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 Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Business Development Manager is $166,859.

2. What is the highest pay for Business Development Manager?

The highest pay for Business Development Manager is $158,015.

3. What is the lowest pay for Business Development Manager?

The lowest pay for Business Development Manager is $112,898.

4. What are the responsibilities of Business Development Manager?

Manages the daily execution of the business development strategy, plans, and processes to drive sales, increase revenue, expand markets, and accomplish financial objectives. Coaches teams in best practices and effective tactics for prospecting new markets, partners, channels, and customers. Establishes team targets and metrics to measure the achievement of objectives. Develops and uses contacts and relationships within the industry, business environment, and customer base to understand and respond to competition, pricing, and product demand changes. Makes suggestions for new product offerings or improvements to sales or marketing efforts. May administer or negotiate new business proposals and prepare contracts. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Business Development Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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