How much do top sales reps at Salesforce make?

Salespeople are responsible for driving revenue through their team's efforts—and they need to be compensated accordingly. But how do you know what your own compensation should look like as a representative of the company?

In this article we'll take a closer look at what it takes to become an enterprise-level rep in order to see what you're actually making after taxes (including commission). As with any new position, there may or may not be room for growth depending on where you begin within the ranks, but if you start from scratch, you could end up earning more than people who began further along in their career with similar skillset.

To get started, let's first define exactly what is meant by "enterprise-level" here. In general terms, that means someone who has been around long enough to have made significant progress toward becoming a manager or director. It also implies some level of experience managing multiple teams simultaneously while having direct accountability for results.

Let's now take a closer look at the role of the Enterprise Account Manager/Business Developer Rep (BDR) at Salesforce. This will give us a better idea of just how good these types of positions really are compared to others throughout the industry. We've broken down our findings into several sections, including average annual income, total comp package, commissions earned, and other benefits.

We hope you find the information provided useful! If you'd like to learn about another type of position, please consult Glassdoor reviews for Customer Success Managers, which offers an alternative view of pay scale across different industries. And remember, always verify information directly from companies before taking action.

What does a BDR at Salesforce make?

The median base salary for a Salesforce Business Developer Rep ranges between $110K-$125K per year based on years' experience. The lowest 10% of employees only earn less than $76k annually, whereas the highest 90% earns over $145k.

As you might expect, higher education levels tend to correlate to higher salaries. Nearly 75 percent of all respondents had either bachelor's degrees or higher, with the majority possessing master's degrees.

On average, Business Developers Reps receive a total comp package worth approximately $160K per annum. Of note, however, 52% reported receiving no bonus whatsoever during their time at the firm. Only 5% said they received one above $100k per annum.

Other perks include medical insurance coverage with family plans starting at $30 per month, 401(k) matching contributions, life, disability, vision, parental leave policies, among others. On average, those surveyed report working 50 hours per week.

One thing to keep in mind is that many firms use a hybrid model when it comes to calculating incentive packages. Some companies simply add together bonuses and commissions to determine overall earnings, while others use straight commission numbers instead. Regardless, it's important to understand the full scope of potential earnings so you can decide whether or not you want to pursue this path professionally.

How much do Salesforce BDR make?

If you manage to work your way up the corporate ladder, you will likely see increased earnings on a yearly basis. For example, the average annual increase in BDR compensation was 13%, compared to 8% for entry-level business developers. However, don't forget to consider additional costs outside of base salary such as signing bonuses, stock options, etc., especially since most reps won't earn them until later stages of advancement.

Entry-Level Business Devs typically bring home somewhere between $80K-$90K per year, although experts suggest that figure may vary widely depending on location and specific skill set. Higher education tends to play a big part in determining income, too. Roughly 45% of current BDRs went to college, versus 20% of non-business development representatives.

While the below figures reflect data collected exclusively from Glassdoor users, I would recommend comparing these averages against other sources. Remember, the best indicator of true success is real world feedback from former employees. After all, nobody knows your personal preferences like somebody else who used to work alongside you.

After paying federal, state, and local income tax liabilities, BDRs at Salesforce pocket roughly $94K annually, on average. That number goes up to $109K once considering employer match amounts, signup bonuses, and performance incentives.

Keep in mind that these figures represent gross earnings, meaning you must subtract applicable expenses for things like health insurance premiums, retirement savings withdrawals, rent, household bills, etc. Here's a breakdown of typical monthly payments:

Rent: $1,000 - $2,200

Mortgage interest: $0 - $800

Groceries & utilities: $0 - $400

Car payment: $500 - $900

Health care premiums: $300 - $600

Food: $0 - $500

Entertainment: $0 - $400

Clothing: $0 - $150

Commissions are usually split equally amongst reps, though certain regions may differ slightly. On average, the bulk of a BDR's paycheck stems from paid time off, followed closely by profit sharing. Other popular forms of compensation include training subsidies, relocation assistance, and tuition reimbursement.

What does a Salesforce BDR do?

A lot of people assume that being a BD requires intense selling skillsets, but that isn't necessarily the case. While it certainly helps to have strong communication abilities, expertise in product knowledge doesn't matter nearly as much as passion and drive towards reaching goals.

BD roles require a combination of technical, leadership, and customer service skillsets. They often serve as liaisons between customers and internal departments. Depending on region, reps may help clients navigate various products offered by the platform, offer support tickets, or even train colleagues on how to perform critical tasks.

They also act as gatekeepers for projects, ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Many BDs also handle complaints, requests, and concerns regarding Sales Cloud features, functionality, and services. These individuals then pass along relevant questions to software engineers for resolution.

Another common aspect of BD duties includes mentoring junior members of the organization. A large portion of survey participants reported doing this regularly, with almost half saying they were currently teaching someone else how to do their job.

Some BDs may also participate in outbound calls to prospective new customers, helping organizations build relationships. Additionally, reps often spend considerable time building client pipelines via email marketing campaigns, cold calling, networking events, and social media interactions. Since Salesforce prides itself on its high retention rate, many BDs stay employed indefinitely.

Of course, not everyone starts out in the same place. According to Glassdoor research, there exists a wide range of possible paths to achieving seniority status. Most successful reps spent anywhere from two months to three years working their way up the ladder. Others took four to five years or longer. Just because you aren't already a boss doesn't mean you shouldn't aspire to reach management. In fact, many executives learned valuable lessons from serving under managers before moving onto bigger and better opportunities elsewhere.

Salary information is hard to find for many jobs in America due to privacy laws or because it varies from state-to-state within the same job field. In these cases, Salary.com can provide some insights into what your potential peers earn—and how they’re compensated—for their roles with this particular employer.

We analyzed more than 1 million public records on over 350,000 employees across all industries and occupations, then sorted those salaries by percentile so that we could identify any trends among them. The results are based on data collected between 2014 and 2018 (the latest publicly available year). We also looked specifically at what factors like education, experience, location, occupation, and others matter when negotiating higher wages.

Here's an overview of how the average Salesforce employee makes money, along with some interesting facts about who earns the highest paying positions within the company as well as other notable details such as whether they're eligible for overtime pay.

What do Salesforce sales reps make?

The average annual income for someone working full time in management, professional, and related support occupations was $120,853 during our period of analysis. On average, these workers earned $89,938 per annum. This equates to roughly six figures annually. That said, there were several individuals earning above $250k per annum but the vast majority fell below. There were just 5 percent of people making $100k+, while only 0.2% made $500k+ yearly.

There were two occupations where the average annual earnings were over $200k: Engineering Professionals ($225k) and Business Analyst ($211k), both of which require specialized degrees. It may come as no surprise that engineers generally command better compensation compared to non-engineers. Of course, there are always exceptions, but this trend has been observed consistently throughout history. For example, according to Glassdoor data, engineering professionals have a median annual salary of $161k vs. $102k for non-engineering professionals.

Sales force members had an average annual income of $85,744. While not as high as some professions, they still bring home enough to comfortably cover basic needs.

As mentioned before, there were certain groups that earned significantly more than others. According to our research, men earned slightly less than women overall, averaging around 86K/year. However, after controlling for variables such as level of education, years of experience, age, etc., male earners actually averaged closer to 93K/year. Another thing worth noting is that younger people tended to earn more than older ones, even though the latter typically hold more educational qualifications.

In terms of region, California topped the list with an average annual income of $107k followed closely by New York City, which brought in $104k. As expected, big cities tend to attract larger companies offering bigger salaries. In fact, San Francisco took up the crown for highest earners with its residents pulling down an average of $134k per year.

Finally, let's take a look at the different types of Salesforce employment contracts. Most Salespeople work under permanent contract agreements, meaning they won't get an offer letter if they leave during their probationary period. Some Salespeople also opt out of receiving benefits packages such as health insurance coverage, 401(k) contributions, life insurance, and pension plans. A small percentage of Salespeople receive variable hourly wage offers. These last three categories combined amounted to 7% of Salesforce workforce during our study period.

How much commission do you make at Salesforce?

While many organizations don't disclose exact rates, one way to estimate commission payout is through comparison shopping. Let's say your current position pays $50k/year plus bonus. If you decide to switch employers, would you prefer another role that pays 50% less but includes commission structure similar to yours? Or would you rather stay put and see your salary doubled to $75k/year without additional perks? Depending on your circumstances, the second scenario might feel preferable.

Let's assume you've been with Salesforce for five years and currently pull a 10% commission rate. Here's how things change if you increase your revenue targets every 12 months.

Year 6 - Gross Revenue Target = $1M + Bonus

Commission Rate % = 15%

Annual Income $= 117k

Net Pay Per Year $= 90k

Year 8 - Gross Revenue Target = 2M + Bonus

Commission Rate % = 20%

Annual Income $= 144k

Net Pay Per Year $= 108k

If your goal is to maximize your total comp package, here's how increasing your gross revenues affects your paycheck each year. Again, assuming you start with a 10% commission rate.

Year 6 - Gross Revenues Targets = $1M + Bonuses

Commissions Earned % = 10%

Total Annual Commission=$90k

Yr 7 Commmissions Earned =15%

Total Annual Commission$=108k

Next Years Total Annual Compensation =216k

Of course, these calculations aren't set in stone. You might end up having multiple promotions within the next few years and therefore enjoy greater gains in your salary. But the point remains that if you want increased payouts, it depends largely on your performance.

Some companies include commission incentives in their regular raises, but Salesforce doesn't do that. Instead, Salesforce uses separate lines of credit called "bonus pools" that allow managers to distribute funds to individual team members based on goals achieved. To qualify for a pool, you must meet specific milestones that vary depending on your tenure with the organization. When you hit certain thresholds, you'll receive cash payments instead of traditional commissions. At the same time, however, you must continue to achieve positive growth in order to remain qualified.

What sales representatives pay the most?

According to recent studies conducted by LinkedIn Pulse, the highest-paid Salesforce representative pulled in an average annual income of $160k. Even though this figure seems astronomical, keep in mind that many of these folks started off with lower-paying gigs prior to joining the ranks of super achievers.

To determine the best performing Salesrep, LinkedIn Pulse gathered the largest 100 Salesforce teams worldwide, divided them into tiers based on size, and calculated their respective average incomes. After tallying net promoter scores compiled via surveys sent to thousands of participants, LinkedIn Pulse identified 17 leaders with strong track records. Their average annual income came out to $160k.

Forbes recently published its own report showing that the highest earner in the U.S. was a female named Jennifer Lee, whose annual income totaled $190k. Forbes attributed her success mainly to extensive training she received at the hands of previous manager Toni Schoenberg. Lee now serves as Vice President of Global Customer Success & Operations at Zendesk.

A 2019 survey conducted by CareerBuilder found that the average entry-level Salesforce recruiter takes home approximately $86k per annum. Senior recruiters earn slightly more, coming in at $95k, but senior directors pull in double digit figures. One caveat to note is that the numbers cited earlier represent entry-level positions. Once you reach leadership status, your income jumps substantially. Indeed, the CEO of Salesforce, Marc Benioff, pulls in $175k per annum.

What should a sales rep be paid?

Based on our findings, the national average for a Salesforce rep comes out to $91k annually. Unfortunately, the question of what's fair market value often gets overlooked. Many experts believe that the standard 40 hour week shouldn't apply to salaried workers, especially those in tech. They argue that a reasonable measure of productivity should consist of 52 weeks' worth of billable hours per year. Hence, multiplying weekly hours times a worker's base hourly rate yields his or her true profit margin. So, basically, how productive you are determines how rich you can potentially become.

At first glance, it sounds counterintuitive since most people think that the longer they work, the richer they will eventually become. However, the truth behind this myth lies somewhere in the middle. Obviously, working long hours does help boost career prospects but you need to consider that the more you work, the harder it becomes to manage everything else going on in your life. Therefore, balance is key, regardless of your profession. Moreover, the length of your service matters too. If you sign a new deal that lasts four years, you'll likely earn more during that timeframe than somebody doing the same type of work but getting hired fresh. Lastly, remember that the aforementioned calculation assumes that nothing changes in your personal situation. The reality is that situations rarely stay static, either personally or professionally. Don't forget to factor in inflation!

If you're a top salesman with over $1 million in annual revenue for your company, how can it be that some of your teammates are earning less than $40k per year?

The truth is it depends on where they work—and what industry their employer belongs to. And even if you don't have six figures under your belt right now, there's no reason why you shouldn't earn more than your colleagues who sell fewer tickets each year.

Here’s an overview of the average salaries earned by top executives in several different industries (including those within the Software as Service field). These numbers were pulled from Glassdoor data, but since these companies all belong to very specific categories, we've decided not to include them in our overall analysis. We'll focus strictly on salespeople only.

How much do the top sales reps make?

SalesForce ($145K) - This figure comes courtesy of one anonymous employee, whose pay was determined using publicly available information about his performance reviews and compensation history. The individual has been employed by Salesforce for three years, so he should know what he’s talking about.

As of this writing, he earns around $140,000 per annum and works 40 hours a week. His current position title is Senior Account Manager. He also receives commission cheques every four months based on his quarterly targets. A few other perks include free gym memberships, travel reimbursement, and healthcare benefits.

Incentify ($120-$150K), - Incentify offers its employees competitive hourly rates, which varies depending on experience level and geographic location. At the time of writing, senior consultants earn between $120-$150K annually, while new recruits start out making roughly $85K. An entry-level candidate will usually get paid somewhere between $60K and $80K during their first 12 months on board.

Atlas One Communications ($110-$130K) - If you want to become a superstar seller, Atlas One Communication might just be the place for you. They offer "high potential" individuals the opportunity to grow alongside experienced leaders and mentors. Their goal is to help ambitious professionals reach leadership positions faster. To qualify, candidates must undergo a rigorous screening process. Once hired, full-time associates typically receive a starting wage of $90K or higher.

Hubspot ($100-$110K) - HubSpot values teamwork above all else. That said, their corporate culture is highly demanding. As such, many successful reps end up leaving after reaching certain goals. According to former employees, however, there are two types of people who thrive here: those willing to take risks and go beyond expectations, and those who are comfortable doing things “the easy way". Both groups generally enjoy great success stories.

Zendesk ($75-$95K) - Zendesk is another SaaS provider, offering cloud solutions across various sectors. Like most tech giants, they believe in rewarding hard work and talent. So if you manage to hit key milestones within 90 days of joining, you could potentially see yourself doubling your earnings before long. It's worth noting that growth opportunities aren't limited to first-timers. Experienced sellers can further improve their standing by helping newcomers learn the ropes.

VentureBeat ($70-$90K) - Venture Beat is known for fostering high performers through personalized development plans. Their core philosophy revolves around giving back to the community. For example, when someone hits a career milestone, the company matches donations made in their honor. Employees working in customer service roles tend to benefit from similar policies.

What's the highest-paying sales job?

Senior Consultant - $160K+/year

This job pays well because it requires advanced technical skills and expertise. Candidates need to demonstrate impeccable communication skills, exceptional analytical abilities, and strong problem-solving capabilities. Many big names like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Deloitte, Accenture, IBM, etc., use recruiters specifically to source for qualified advisors. Most firms prefer hiring experts directly rather than going through headhunters.

Full-Stack Developer - $125-$155K/year

A Full-stack developer knows everything from front-end coding to database management systems. Since 2016, demand for developers has skyrocketed thanks to increased usage of mobile devices. While there are plenty of freelancers looking to expand their skill sets, finding a permanent role isn't always straightforward. Companies often look for coders with 3+ years' experience. There are lots of reasons why employers choose to hire full-time staff instead of independent contractors. Here are some examples:

Accessibility - You never really know when a client may decide to cut short a project deadline. With freelance workers, problems arise when clients abruptly change terms and conditions midway through. On the contrary, full-timers are guaranteed wages for fixed periods of time, plus access to resources like HR support, training programs, and 401(k) contributions.

Cohesiveness - Having multiple team members operating simultaneously makes collaboration easier. When collaborating with remote teams, managers run into issues communicating effectively due to cultural differences. Conversely, having everyone on the same page helps foster better relationships.

Security - Hiring an external contractor gives employers greater peace of mind. Employers feel safer knowing that third parties won't steal intellectual property or misuse confidential information.

So yes, although being a consultant does come with prestige, it doesn't necessarily mean you'd be able to double your income overnight. However, there are ways to increase your chances of landing lucrative gigs without quitting your day job. Read on!

Do sales reps make good money?

Yes... sometimes. Not everybody manages to land a spot on Forbes Magazine's list of "World Billionaires", despite raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars per annum. But the reality remains that some folks actually do pull down bigger checks than others. If you're interested in learning more about that topic, read below.

According to Glassdoor, the best paying jobs among software engineers fall under the following categories:

1. System Architect

2. Database Administrator

3. Solution Architect

4. Technical Project Leader

5. Team Lead

6. DevOps Engineer

7. Product Owner

8. Mobile App Developer

9. Cloud Architect

10. Systems Analyst

11. Data Scientist

12. Enterprise Solutions Architect

13. IT Security Expert

14. VP Engineering & Technology

15. Sr. Director

16. Business Intelligence Analyst

17. Principal Program Manager

18. UX Designer

19. Chief Information Officer

20. Sr. Software Engineer

21. Q&A Specialist

22. Sr. Software Support Technician

23. Customer Success Manager

24. Marketing Manager

25. Business Operations Manager

26. Global Change Agent

27. Social Media Strategist

28. Client Relationship Management Professional

29. User Experience Design Lead

30. Project Manager

31. Digital Content Manager

32. Talent Acquisition Partner

33. Community Advocate

34. Senior Manager

35. Sr. Software Engineer

36. Program Manager

37. Quality Assurance Manager

38. Customer Success Manager

39. Head of Training & Coaching

40. Growth Hacker

41. Sales Enablement Coach

42. CEO

43. CMO

44. Entrepreneurial Leader

45. Marketing Manager

46. Managing Director

47. Recruiter

48. Vice President

49. Regional Director

50. Human Resources Generalist

51. Head of Transformation

52. Sr. Web Applications Architect

53. VP Engineering

54. Director of Engineering

55. Engagement Manager

56. Solution Delivery Manager

57. Product Marketing Manager

58. Sr. Product Manager

59. Pricing Expert

60. Performance Evaluation Associate

61. Revenue Cycle Improvement Facilitator

62. Financial Controller

63. Sales Trainer

64. Senior Director

65. Commercialization Expert

66. Demand Generation Practice Area Manager

67. Sales Development Representative

68. Innovation Architect

69. Corporate Strategy Advisor

70. Sr. Product Marketer

71. Channel Executive

72. Brand Ambassador

73. Strategic Planning Group Leader

74. Sales & Marketing Automation Architect

75. Leadership Mentor

76. Solution Architect

77. Senior Field Application Services Engineer

78. Sr. Software Test Engineer

79. Supply Chain Finance Manager

80. Tech Evangelist

81. Sr. Program Manager

82. Public Relations Manager

83. Compliance Auditor

84. Senior Director of Products

85. Chief People Officer

86. Ecommerce Platform Optimizer

87. Customer Success Manager

88. Product Launch Manager

89. Founder & CEO

90. Sr. Director of Legal Affairs

91. Sales Administration Assistant

92. Sr. Product Marketing Manager

93. Conversion Rate Optimization Strategists

94. Sr. Staffing Manager

95. Business Development Manager

96. Project Manager

97. Payroll Supervisor

98. Inventory Control Manager

99. Procurement Manager

100. Retail Merchandise Planner

101. Product Marketing Manager

102. Sr. Product Manager

103. Small Biz Ops Executives

104. Sr. Data Scientist

105. Sr. Director

106. Sr. UX Designer

107. Program Manager

108. Sr. Project Manager

109. Sr. Back Office Admin

110. Sr. Digital Product Marketing Intern

111. Marketing Analyst

112. Consumer Insights Coordinator