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Associate Business Development Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Business Development Specialist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Business Development Specialist in the United States is $78,195 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $94,871
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,379 to $86,924
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,174
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Business Development Specialist Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Associate Business Development Specialist Salaries

An Associate Business Development Specialist'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 Associate Business Development Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Business Development Specialist'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): $64,090
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $76,377
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,045
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,502
  • Expert (over 8 years): $167,405
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Business Development Associate I less than 1 year $64,090
Associate Business Development Specialist 1-2 years $76,377
Business Development Associate III 2-4 years $99,045
Business Development Associate IV 5-8 years $130,502
Business Development Associate V over 8 years $167,405

How Do Associate Business Development Specialist 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 Associate Business Development Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $86,578.
  • California: $86,249.
  • Massachusetts: $85,100.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Business Development Specialist

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: $98,628
  • San Francisco: $97,548
  • Oakland: $95,492

Associate Business Development Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Business Development Specialist 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 Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Associate Business Development Specialist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Business Development Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Business Development Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $97,744 $47.0 25%
Biotechnology $93,834 $45.0 20%
Financial Services $93,834 $45.0 20%
Internet $93,834 $45.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $89,924 $43.0 15%

How Education impacts an Associate Business Development Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Business Development Specialist professionals 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 Associate Business Development Specialist with a Bachelor's is between $80,146 and $85,909.

Associate Business Development Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Business Development Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.3%
High School 4.9%
Associate's Degree 5.1%
Bachelor's Degree 56.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 30.6%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 2.7%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Associate Business Development Specialist'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 September 01, 2026
$71,379
Average $78,195/year
$86,924
$5,948
Average $6,516/month
$7,244
$1,373
Average $1,504/week
$1,672
$34
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,924 $7,244 $1,672 $42
Average $78,195 $6,516 $1,504 $38
25th Percentile $71,379 $5,948 $1,373 $34

Most common benefits for Associate Business Development Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Associate Business Development Specialist

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

Find Your Next Associate Business Development Specialist Job

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

  • ALEC Credit Union | Columbus, OH

    Business Development Specialist

    ALEC Credit Union | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. SUMMARY.  This position is primarily responsible for spearheading the credit union’s business development initiatives acr... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Sinclair Broadcast Group | Columbus, OH

    Sales and Marketing Specialist Business Development

    Sinclair Broadcast Group | Columbus, OH

    Media Sales Specialist. The AMP Sales & Marketing Solutions, we believe a great workplace isn't just something we say it's something you can feel when you ... more

    11 Days Ago

  • AROMAIR | Columbus, OH

    Warehouse associate

    AROMAIR | Columbus, OH

    Warehouse Associate - New Albany. At Job&Talent, we are recruiting for a Warehouse Associate to work with Aromair in New Albany. This role involves managin... more

    7 Days Ago

  • KOHLS | Columbus, OH

    Senior Industrial Maintenance Technician

    KOHLS | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Shifts. \n. Monday-Thursday 2pm-12am. \n. Monday-Thursday 10pm-8am. \n. Friday-Sunday 6pm-6am. \n. \n. About the Role. \n. As a Senior Mai... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Associate Business Development Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Business Development Specialist?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Business Development Specialist 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.)

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