Account Executive vs Sales Development Representative: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Account Executive
Manage the full sales cycle to close new business and expand existing accounts.
Sales Development Representative
Prospect and qualify inbound and outbound leads to fuel the sales pipeline.
Account Executive earns more on average — the national median is $56,000/year (90%) higher than a Sales Development Representative. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Account Executive vs Sales Development Representative — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Account Executive | Sales Development Representative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $175,134 | $89,936 | Account +$85,198 |
| New York, NY | $146,442 | $72,817 | Account +$73,625 |
| Seattle, WA | $167,371 | $86,929 | Account +$80,442 |
| Austin, TX | $132,628 | $70,658 | Account +$61,970 |
| Chicago, IL | $128,530 | $65,626 | Account +$62,904 |
| Boston, MA | $153,915 | $82,872 | Account +$71,043 |
| London, UK | £89,364 | £47,340 | Account +$42,024 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$156,832 | CA$82,018 | Account +$74,814 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Account Executive or Sales Development Representative earn more?+
A Account Executive earns more on average. The national median salary for a Account Executive is $118,000/year, compared to $62,000/year for a Sales Development Representative — a difference of $56,000 (90%).
Which has better career growth — Account Executive or Sales Development Representative?+
Account Executive roles are growing at 14% YoY while Sales Development Representative demand is growing at 18% YoY. Sales Development Representative has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Account Executive to Sales Development Representative?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: CRM.
Which is harder to automate — Account Executive or Sales Development Representative?+
Account Executive has a lower AI automation risk (32% vs 45%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.