SOC 3556 Business and public service associate professionals

Sales accounts and business development managers Salary

Median salary £56,021 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £56,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For sales accounts and business development managers, £57,625 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +48% versus the national average. Experienced sales accounts and business development managers (top 25%) earn over £78,507.

About this role

Sales accounts and business development managers (2020 SOC) drive commercial growth by identifying opportunities, building client relationships and closing deals. They manage sales pipelines, develop account strategies and work to achieve revenue targets.

Key responsibilities

Developing and executing sales and account strategies
Building and managing client relationships
Identifying and qualifying new business opportunities
Preparing proposals and negotiating commercial terms
Reporting on pipeline, forecasts and revenue performance

Qualifications and entry routes

Degree in business or relevant sector is common. ISM or CIM qualifications add professional credibility. Proven commercial track record is the primary requirement.

Career outlook

Consistent demand for commercially skilled professionals. Solution selling, SaaS and consultative sales approaches are particularly valued.

Key skills

Strategic selling Relationship management Commercial negotiation Market analysis CRM and sales tools

Common industries

Technology
Financial services
Professional services
Healthcare
Manufacturing

Data coverage

SOC code 3556

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 415,000

Median Salary

£56,021

Mean Salary

£65,268

Jobs (000s)

415k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: £30kP25: £41kMedian: £56kP75: £79kP90: £106k

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£30,021

0-2 years

Mid Level

£40,920

3-7 years

Senior

£78,507

8-15 years

Leadership

£105,797

15+ years

Potential career growth: +252% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +32.9%Real growth: -3.7%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 16.2%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£56,021

Full-time Only

£57,625

Full-time premium: +£1,604

Sales accounts and business development managers salary: common questions

How much do sales accounts and business development managers earn in the UK?

Sales accounts and business development managers earn a median of £57,625 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £40,920 and £78,507.

Is £57,625 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for sales accounts and business development managers?

Entry-level sales accounts and business development managers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £40,920, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £30,021.

How much do the highest-paid sales accounts and business development managers earn?

The best-paid 10% of sales accounts and business development managers earn over £105,797 a year, and the top 25% over £78,507 (ONS ASHE 2025).

Have sales accounts and business development managers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median sales accounts and business development managers pay has risen from £43,168 to £57,625 — +33% in cash terms, or -3.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for sales accounts and business development managers?

Male sales accounts and business development managers earn a median £59,752 and female sales accounts and business development managers £50,048 — a gap of +16% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).