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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Business Development Leader in Illinois is $115,404 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, a Business Development Leader's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Business Development Leader Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $127,891 | $10,658 | $2,459 | $61 |
| Average | $115,404 | $9,617 | $2,219 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,622 | $8,552 | $1,974 | $49 |
Altimeter Associates - Chicago, IL
Focus On Life Biz - Chicago, IL
Orbus Visual Communications - Woodridge, IL
Loberg Construction - Chicago, IL
A Business Development Leader'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 Business Development Leader'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Business ... Level Business Development Leader | $130,119 |
| Business ... Level Business Development Leader | $166,920 |
| Business ... Level Business Development Leader | $114,486 |
| Business ... Level Business Development Leader | $132,217 |
| Business ... Level Business Development Leader | $173,918 |
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 Business Development Leaders. 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:
For Business Development Leader roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Business Development Leader positions in Software & Networking or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Business Development Leader as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $173,106 | $83.0 | 50% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $144,255 | $69.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $132,715 | $64.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Business Development Leader'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 | $127,891 | $10,658 | $2,459 | $61 |
| Average | $115,404 | $9,617 | $2,219 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,622 | $8,552 | $1,974 | $49 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Business Development Leader job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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HungryPanda | Champaign, IL
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Evanston, IL
Talent Pros Recruiting Specialists | Evanston, IL
Business Development-Inside Sales. Evanston, Illinois, United States. About the Job Business Development-Inside Sales. Business Development- Inside Sales. ... more
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Translink Shipping
Schaumburg, IL
Translink Shipping | Schaumburg, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Translink Shipping, Inc. a leading NVOCC is expanding its sales force in all of its branches. We are invested in finding ... more
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Schaumburg, IL
Doctor Referral Institute | Schaumburg, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Doctor Referral Institute serves specialty practices in the medical and dental field around the coun... more
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