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Business Development Representative Salary in the United States

How much does a Business Development Representative make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Business Development Representative in the United States is $78,883 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,706
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,007 to $87,689
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,747
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Business Development Representative Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Business Development Representative Salaries

A Business Development Representative'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 Representative Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Business Development Representative'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): $64,654
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,048
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,911
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $131,653
  • Expert (over 8 years): $168,888
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Business Development Associate I less than 1 year $64,654
Business Development Representative 1-2 years $77,048
Business Development Associate III 2-4 years $99,911
Business Development Associate IV 5-8 years $131,653
Business Development Associate V over 8 years $168,888

How Do Business Development Representative 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 Representatives. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $87,339.
  • California: $87,008.
  • Massachusetts: $85,848.

Top Paying Cities for Business Development Representative

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: $99,495
  • San Francisco: $98,406
  • Oakland: $96,332

Business Development Representative Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Business Development Representative 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, Business Development Representative positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Business Development Representative as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Business Development Representative

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $98,604 $47.0 25%
Biotechnology $94,659 $46.0 20%
Financial Services $94,659 $46.0 20%
Internet $94,659 $46.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $90,715 $44.0 15%

How Education impacts a Business Development Representative's Salary?

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

Business Development Representative Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Business Development Representative
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

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

Understanding how a Business Development Representative'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
$72,007
Average $78,883/year
$87,689
$6,001
Average $6,574/month
$7,307
$1,385
Average $1,517/week
$1,686
$35
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,689 $7,307 $1,686 $42
Average $78,883 $6,574 $1,517 $38
25th Percentile $72,007 $6,001 $1,385 $35

Most common benefits for Business Development Representative

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

Common company salaries for Business Development Representative

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

Find Your Next Business Development Representative Job

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

  • SMITH. | Columbus, OH

    Business Development Representative

    SMITH. | Columbus, OH

    Business Development Representative (BDR)We're looking for a results-driven business development representative to actively identify, develop and create ne... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Dinamic AS Group | Columbus, OH

    Business Development Representative

    Dinamic AS Group | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. At. Dinamic AS Group. we believe that strong relationships drive business success. Our team is dedic... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Arrive Logistics | Columbus, OH

    Senior Business Development Representative

    Arrive Logistics | Columbus, OH

    Arrive Logistics Senior Business Development Representative. Arrive Logistics is a leading transportation and technology company in North America, with pla... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Surface Experts | Columbus, OH

    Business Development Representative

    Surface Experts | Columbus, OH

    Responsive Recruiter. Surface Experts is an all-inclusive surface repair provider. We repair small damage to surfaces like Floors, Countertops, Tubs, Cabin... more

    6 Days Ago

  • BBI Logistics | Columbus, OH

    Business Development Representative

    BBI Logistics | Columbus, OH

    You must be able to work 100% on-site at our HQ in downtown, Columbus, OH Are you ready to revolutionize the drayage game and take charge of your logistics... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Corgi Insurance | Columbus, OH

    Business Development Representative

    Corgi Insurance | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Business Development Representative. Corgi is vertically integrating the entire insurance industry. We design, underwrite... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Business Development Representative

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Business Development Representative 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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