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Create CVIf you’re searching “sales representative salary US” or asking how much a sales rep makes per year, the answer depends heavily on one critical factor: performance.
Unlike many roles, sales compensation in the United States is structured around OTE (On-Target Earnings), which combines base salary and commission. Top performers often earn 2–5x more than average performers, making this one of the highest-variance income roles in the job market.
This guide breaks down realistic US salary ranges, commission structures, total compensation, and how top sales reps maximize earnings across industries and experience levels.
Across industries:
Base salary (average): $50,000 – $75,000
OTE (average total compensation): $80,000 – $140,000
Top performers (top 10%): $150,000 – $300,000+
Entry-level sales rep: $40,000 – $60,000 base
Mid-level sales rep: $60,000 – $90,000 base
Senior / Account Executive: $80,000 – $140,000 base
Base: $45,000 – $65,000
OTE: $70,000 – $100,000
Typically lower deal sizes, shorter sales cycles, and lower commission rates.
Base: $70,000 – $120,000
OTE: $120,000 – $220,000
AEs own the full sales cycle and earn commission on closed deals.
Base: $120,000 – $200,000+
Base: $40,000 – $60,000
Commission: $10,000 – $40,000
Total comp: $50,000 – $90,000
Common roles:
SDR (Sales Development Rep)
BDR (Business Development Rep)
Recruiter insight: Early roles focus on pipeline generation, not closing.
Base: $60,000 – $90,000
Enterprise sales rep: $120,000 – $200,000+ base
Sales compensation is typically structured as:
Base Salary: 40–60% of OTE
Commission: 40–60% of OTE
Bonuses / SPIFFs: Additional incentives
Equity (tech/SaaS): RSUs or stock options
Example OTE Structure:
Base: $70,000
Commission: $70,000
OTE: $140,000
Top performers can exceed OTE significantly through overachievement multipliers.
OTE: $200,000 – $400,000+
Enterprise reps handle:
Large deals ($100K – $1M+)
Long sales cycles
Strategic accounts
Total comp: $250,000 – $500,000+
Driven by:
Exceeding quota (120–200%)
Large deal sizes
Strong territory
Commission: $40,000 – $100,000
Total comp: $100,000 – $180,000
At this level:
You manage full sales cycles
Compensation depends heavily on quota attainment
Base: $90,000 – $140,000
Commission: $100,000 – $250,000+
Total comp: $180,000 – $350,000+
Top reps at this level:
Own key accounts
Consistently exceed quota
Influence revenue strategy
SaaS / Software
Medical device sales
Pharmaceuticals
Financial services
These industries offer:
Higher deal values
Recurring revenue models
Larger commission structures
Manufacturing
Logistics
Wholesale
Retail sales
Hospitality sales
Recruiter insight: Industry choice can change your income by 2–3x.
San Francisco / Bay Area: +20–30%
New York City: +15–25%
Seattle / Boston: +10–20%
Chicago
Austin
Denver
Increasingly common in SaaS
Base may be slightly lower
Commission potential remains high
Key insight: Commission is less tied to geography than base salary.
This is the biggest factor.
100% quota = full OTE
120–150% = significantly higher earnings
Below quota = reduced income
Larger deals = higher commission
Longer cycles = higher base salaries
Key elements:
Commission rate (5–15% typical)
Accelerators (higher commission after quota)
Caps vs uncapped plans
Not all territories are equal.
Strong territory = easier quota attainment
Weak territory = lower earnings
Startups: lower base, higher upside
Enterprise companies: stable OTE
Flat commission: Same rate per deal
Tiered commission: Higher rates after quota
Accelerators: Increased commission after 100% quota
Quota: $1M revenue
Commission: 10%
If rep closes:
$1M → earns $100K
$1.5M (with accelerator) → earns $175K+
Especially in SaaS and tech:
Stock options or RSUs
Signing bonuses ($5K – $50K+)
Quarterly bonuses
Equity can:
Add $20K – $100K+ annually
Become significant in high-growth startups
Companies define:
OTE benchmarks per role
Commission structure tied to revenue goals
Hiring managers balance:
Market competitiveness
Internal equity
Revenue expectations
Top candidates negotiate:
Higher base vs variable mix
Better commission rates
Guaranteed first-year earnings
Shift from:
Each jump increases:
Deal size
Commission potential
Focus on:
SaaS
AI / tech
Healthcare
Key areas:
Accelerators
Uncapped commission
Ramp period guarantees
Top performers:
Earn 150–300% of OTE
Become top candidates in the market
Best timing:
After strong performance year
When market demand is high
Always ask:
What percentage of reps hit quota?
What’s the average attainment?
Caps limit upside significantly.
Ramp determines:
In sales, commission drives income, not base.
Weak Example:
“I’m mainly focused on increasing my base salary.”
Good Example:
“I’d like to understand the commission accelerators and how top performers typically exceed OTE.”
Entry-level: $50K – $90K
Mid-level: $100K – $180K
Senior: $180K – $350K
Top performers: $400K+
Sales Manager
Director of Sales
VP Sales
These roles offer:
Base: $150K – $300K+
Total comp: $250K – $600K+
Sales representative salaries in the US offer uncapped earning potential.
Entry-level: $50K – $90K
Mid-level: $100K – $180K
Senior: $180K – $350K+
Top performers: $400K+
Your income is driven by:
Performance
Industry
Compensation structure
If you choose the right company, negotiate strategically, and consistently exceed quota, sales is one of the fastest paths to high six-figure earnings without requiring advanced degrees.
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