SDR salary guide
Most salary guides quote surveys that are two years old. These numbers are recalculated every day from the base and OTE figures on every live SDR and BDR listing on sdr.careers. Where an employer does not disclose pay, we fill the gap with a clearly-labelled market benchmark rather than leaving it blank.
SDR salary by seniority
Median figures across every live listing in each band.
| Segment | Median base | Median OTE | Live roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDR (entry level) | $63k | $86k | 32 |
| Senior SDR / SDR II | $55k | $85k | 3 |
| BDR (outbound) | $50k | $84k | 16 |
SDR salary by vertical
AI, cybersecurity and FinTech consistently pay above generalist SaaS.
| Segment | Median base | Median OTE | Live roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| ai | $75k | $120k | 5 |
| AI & ML | $74k | $111k | 2 |
| devtools | $60k | $95k | 3 |
| LegalTech | $67k | $90k | 4 |
| saas | $55k | $85k | 17 |
| Cybersecurity | $49k | $73k | 14 |
| SaaS | $47k | $69k | 4 |
Remote vs hybrid vs onsite
Fully-remote roles usually trade a little base for flexibility.
| Segment | Median base | Median OTE | Live roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $73k | $98k | 8 |
| Onsite | $55k | $85k | 35 |
| Hybrid | $55k | $85k | 8 |
How SDR pay is structured
SDR compensation is almost always split into a fixed base salary and a variable commission component. The typical split is 60/40 or 70/30 — so an SDR with a $60k base and a 50% variable component targets roughly $90k OTE at 100% of quota. Commission is usually paid on meetings booked, meetings held, or qualified pipeline created, and most companies pay a ramp guarantee for the first one to three months.
Three things move your number more than anything else: the vertical (AI and security pay a premium), the market you sell into (enterprise beats SMB), and your promotion timeline. Getting to Senior SDR adds about 20% to base; moving into an Account Executive seat typically doubles OTE.
Negotiating an SDR offer?
A 45-minute session with a Senior GTM Recruiter covers the mock interview plus a line-by-line resume calibration for the exact role you are targeting.
Book a session →Frequently asked questions
What is a typical SDR salary?+
In the US, entry-level SDRs typically earn $55k–$75k base with $80k–$110k OTE. The variable half is commission tied to meetings booked or qualified pipeline created. Senior SDRs at AI and cybersecurity companies regularly clear $130k OTE.
What does OTE mean?+
OTE stands for On-Target Earnings: base salary plus the commission you earn when you hit 100% of quota. For SDR roles the split is usually 60/40 or 70/30 base-to-variable, so an $60k base with a 50% variable component gives roughly $90k OTE.
Do SDR salaries differ by vertical?+
Yes. AI/ML, cybersecurity and FinTech companies pay a 10–15% premium over generalist SaaS, mostly because deal sizes and funding levels are higher. DevTools and Web3 sit in between.
How fast does SDR pay increase?+
Most SDRs are promoted to Senior SDR within 9–15 months and to Account Executive within 18–30 months. Senior SDR adds roughly 20% to base; the AE jump typically doubles OTE.
Is commission guaranteed during ramp?+
Usually. Most companies pay a ramp guarantee for the first 1–3 months so your first paychecks match target earnings while you build pipeline. Always confirm ramp terms before you sign.