SDR and BDR salaries in the UK and US (2026)
SDR pay is mostly base, with a real bonus for meetings and pipeline. Here’s what startups pay in 2026, from new starter to SDR manager.
Updated November 2026. All figures are drafts pending Jono’s sign-off.
United Kingdom.
OTE (base:variable) for permanent hires at venture-backed startups. London, then the rest of the UK.
| Level | London | Rest of UK |
|---|---|---|
| SDR / BDR (0-1 yr) | £35k-£48k OTE · 70:30 | £30k-£40k OTE · 70:30 |
| SDR (1-2 yrs) | £45k-£58k OTE · 65:35 | £38k-£50k OTE · 65:35 |
| Senior SDR | £55k-£70k OTE · 60:40 | £46k-£60k OTE · 60:40 |
| SDR team lead | £65k-£85k OTE · 65:35 | £55k-£72k OTE · 65:35 |
| SDR manager | £80k-£110k OTE · 65:35 | £68k-£92k OTE · 65:35 |
United States.
OTE (base:variable). San Francisco and New York, then everywhere else, including remote.
| Level | SF / NY | Other US and remote |
|---|---|---|
| SDR / BDR (0-1 yr) | $75k-$95k OTE · 65:35 | $65k-$85k OTE · 65:35 |
| SDR (1-2 yrs) | $90k-$110k OTE · 65:35 | $78k-$98k OTE · 65:35 |
| Senior SDR | $100k-$125k OTE · 60:40 | $88k-$110k OTE · 60:40 |
| SDR team lead | $115k-$145k OTE · 65:35 | $100k-$128k OTE · 65:35 |
| SDR manager | $140k-$180k OTE · 65:35 | $120k-$160k OTE · 65:35 |
Typical option grants.
For a mid-level or senior hire, as a percentage of the company.
- Seed
- 0.02%-0.1%
- Series A
- 0.01%-0.05%
- Series B+
- 0.005%-0.02%
What moves the number.
- 01Experience. A year of proven pipeline makes a big difference to the number.
- 02Outbound vs inbound. Outbound roles usually carry more variable.
- 03What they’re paid on. Meetings held and pipeline created pay differently to meetings booked.
- 04Career path. A clear route to AE can matter as much as cash.
If you’re hiring one.
- Pay on meetings held or pipeline created, not meetings booked.
- Hire two at once if you can. They learn faster together.
- Show them the path to AE in the interview. Good SDRs ask.
Ranges are typical, not limits. A great candidate in a hot market can sit above them.