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Business Development Sales Director Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Business Development Sales Director in the United States is $205,704 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $99.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $236,965
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $187,148 to $222,067
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $170,254
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Business Development Sales Director Salaries

A Business Development Sales Director'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 Sales Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Business Development Sales Director'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $128,367
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $168,862
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $204,501
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $262,964
  • Expert (over 8 years): $311,538
Levels Salary
Business ... Level Business Development Sales Director$128,367
Business ... Level Business Development Sales Director$168,862
Business ... Level Business Development Sales Director$204,501
Vice Pres... Level Business Development Sales Director$262,964
SVP of Bu... Level Business Development Sales Director$311,538
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How Do Business Development Sales Director 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 Sales Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $227,755.
  • California: $226,892.
  • Massachusetts: $223,868.

Top Paying Cities for Business Development Sales Directors

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: $259,454
  • San Francisco: $256,614
  • Oakland: $251,206

What Skills Can Increase a Business Development Sales Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.34% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.16% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 0.92% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.34%
Business Administration 1.16%
Economics 0.92%
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 Sales Director's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Client Relationship: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $213,932
4%
Insight $211,875
3%
Client Relationship $211,875
3%
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Business Development Sales Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Business Development Sales Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Chemicals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Business Development Sales Director positions in Insurance or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Business Development Sales Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Business Development Sales Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$257,130$124.025%
Chemicals$246,845$119.020%
Telecom$246,845$119.020%
Financial Services$236,560$114.015%
Biotechnology$226,274$109.010%

How Education impacts a Business Development Sales Director's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Business Development Sales Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $199,570 and $211,864).

Business Development Sales Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Business Development Sales Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 2.9%
Associates 3.3%
Bachelors 39.4%
Masters 48.8%
Doctorate 5.2%
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Business Development Sales Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Business Development Sales Director'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
$187,148
Average $205,704/year
$222,067
$15,596
Average $17,142/month
$18,506
$3,599
Average $3,956/week
$4,271
$90
Average $99/hour
$107
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $222,067 $18,506 $4,271 $107
Average $205,704 $17,142 $3,956 $99
25th Percentile $187,148 $15,596 $3,599 $90

Most common benefits for Business Development Sales Director

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

Common company salaries for Business Development Sales Director

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

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FAQ about Business Development Sales Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Business Development Sales Director?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Business Development Sales Director 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.

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