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Director of Business Development Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Business Development in the United States is $207,067 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $100.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $238,538
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $188,360 to $223,540
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $171,328
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View as table View as graph 25% $188,360 10% $171,328 90% $238,538 75% $223,540 $207,067 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director of Business Development Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $223,540 $18,628 $4,299 $107
Average $207,067 $17,256 $3,982 $100
25th Percentile $188,360 $15,697 $3,622 $91
Check out Director of Business Development Job Openings in the United States
Regional Director of Business Development

American Medical Associates - Columbus, OH

Director of Business Development

4M Building Solutions - Columbus, OH

Managing Director, Business Development

Confidential - Columbus, OH

Senior Director, Business Development

Confidential - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Director of Business Development Salaries

A Director of Business Development'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 Director of Business Development Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Business Development'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): $129,237
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $169,999
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $205,856
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $264,696
  • Expert (over 8 years): $313,561
Levels Salary
Business ... Level Director of Business Development$129,237
Business ... Level Director of Business Development$169,999
Director ... Level Director of Business Development$205,856
Vice Pres... Level Director of Business Development$264,696
SVP of Bu... Level Director of Business Development$313,561
$129,237 0 yr
$169,999 < 2 yrs
$205,856 2-4 yrs
$264,696 5-8 yrs
$313,561 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Director of Business Development 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 Director of Business Developments. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $229,265.
  • California: $228,395.
  • Massachusetts: $225,351.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Business Developments

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: $261,174
  • San Francisco: $258,314
  • Oakland: $252,870

What Skills Can Increase a Director of Business Development'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.34%
Business Administration 1.16%
Economics 0.92%
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 Director of Business Development'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
 $215,350
4%
Insight
 $213,279
3%
Client Relationship
 $213,279
3%
B2B
 $213,279
3%
Procurement
 $211,208
2%
Accountability
 $211,208
2%
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Director of Business Development Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of Business Development 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, Director of Business Development positions in Insurance or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Director of Business Development as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Director of Business Development

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$258,834$124.025%
Chemicals$248,480$119.020%
Telecom$248,480$119.020%
Financial Services$238,127$114.015%
Biotechnology$227,774$110.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director of Business Developments 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 Director of Business Development with a Bachelor's Degree is between $199,570 and $211,864).

Director of Business Development Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director of Business Development
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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Director of Business Development Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Business Development'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$188,360
Average $207,067/year
$223,540
$15,697
Average $17,256/month
$18,628
$3,622
Average $3,982/week
$4,299
$91
Average $100/hour
$107
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $223,540 $18,628 $4,299 $107
Average $207,067 $17,256 $3,982 $100
25th Percentile $188,360 $15,697 $3,622 $91

Salaries of jobs related to Director of Business Development

Salary Trends for Director of Business Development

Salaries for a Director of Business Development can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $188,176 in 2023 to around $185,804 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director of Business Development salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Director of Business Development Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$188,176
2024
$189,562
2025
$185,804
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $188,176
2024 $189,562
2025 $185,804
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Director of Business Development

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Director of Business Development

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

Find Your Next Director of Business Development Job

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

United States

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Managing Director Business Development

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Managing Director, Business Development. About the Company. Globally recognized provider of strategic advisory services for arts organizations. Industry. P... more

    20 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Managing Director Business Development

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Managing Director, Business Development. About the Company. Globally recognized provider of strategic advisory services for arts organizations. Industry. P... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Executive Director Business Development Aerospace&Defense Manufacturing

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Executive Director, Business Development, Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing. About the Company. Respected manufacturing organization. Industry. Electrical/... more

    1 Month Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Executive Director Business Development Aerospace& Defense Manufacturing

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Executive Director, Business Development, Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing. About the Company. Respected manufacturing organization. Industry. Electrical/... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Legacy Maintenance Services, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Business Development

    Legacy Maintenance Services, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Business Development Executive. Legacy helps facilities maintain a clean, sanitized, and safe environment. We pride ourselves on being Solutions Driven, Cu... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Ohio Children's Alliance

    Columbus, OH

    Director of Development

    Ohio Children's Alliance | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Location: Columbus, Ohio% of Travel: 25%Organization: The Ohio Children's AlliancePosition Type: Full-Time, Hybrid--Staff... more

    2 Days Ago

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FAQ about Director of Business Development

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

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