The tech sales industry has long been a beacon of opportunity for ambitious salespeople. With the right tech sales training or tech sales certifications, individuals can position themselves for success in this lucrative field. The allure of high commission salaries, especially in SaaS, has made tech sales even more popular in recent years. If you’ve ever wondered how much can I make in tech sales, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore this and other important questions about the earning potential of tech sales jobs.
In the world of sales, not all roles are created equal. Certain types of sales positions tend to offer higher earning potential, especially those in complex industries like technology. High-level positions such as enterprise Account Executives, those who handle large accounts, generally top the list. These roles involve working with larger contracts and managing longer sales cycles, which ultimately lead to bigger commissions and higher salaries.
Sales leaders, such as Vice Presidents of Sales or Chief Revenue Officers, also command top-tier salaries. These individuals oversee the performance of entire sales teams and are compensated based on both their direct sales efforts and their ability to drive company-wide revenue. For those aiming to hit the $300K mark, aspiring to leadership positions can significantly accelerate hitting that goal.
Absolutely, but entry-level software sales roles typically won’t get you to the $200K mark. These positions often come with modest base salaries and limited commission opportunities, as they focus more on lead generation and support rather than closing large deals. The real potential for significant earnings begins when you transition into a full-cycle Account Executive role, where you’re responsible for managing the entire sales process from prospecting to closing.
As an Account Executive, you’ll have a much higher earning potential due to the commission structure. Account Executives are typically paid on a 50/50 split, meaning half of your income comes from your base salary, while the other half is performance based commission. If you secure a $100K base salary and consistently hit your targets, you’ll be well on your way to reaching the $200K mark. For many Account Executives, surpassing this threshold is entirely achievable with the right approach, product, and market focus.
So if $200K is achievable, is $300K within reach? Yes, it is, but it requires advancing in your career and increasing your base salary. If you're following the typical 50/50 commission incentive plan, the key to hitting the $300K mark is raising your base salary from $100K to around $150K. According to data available on Glassdoor, this level of compensation is common after accumulating 4-6 years of experience in a closing role.
However simply increasing your base salary isn’t enough, you’ll still need to consistently hit your sales goals to reach that $300K total. This often involves working in enterprise or strategic sales roles, where deal sizes are much larger, and the potential commission payouts are significant. Enterprise level SaaS companies offer some of the best opportunities for reaching this income level, especially when selling to Fortune 500 clients or dealing with high-ticket solutions. For those wondering how to make 300k a year without a degree, tech sales remains a viable option. It’s more about your ability to deliver results than formal education.
Although rare, it is possible for sales professionals to earn $500,000 or more annually. The key is to be in the right role, often with companies offering high-value solutions or targeting extremely large enterprise customers. Positions that yield such high earnings are typically at the top of the compensation ladder, including strategic senior enterprise sales roles or sales executive positions.
If you were to look up sales jobs that pay over 500k Reddit users would say it’s all about grinding and hustling hard to close every possible deal you can. While there’s truth in the idea that grinding and hustling are essential, the reality is that your ability to hit the $500K mark depends heavily on the position you’re in. In most Account Executive roles, no matter how hard you work, the commission structure simply won’t allow you to reach $500K in a year.
To hit this level, it’s less about the industry you sell in and more about the size of the company you're selling to. Selling to large enterprise clients with big budgets, where deal sizes are substantial, is where you’ll find the opportunity to earn commissions high enough to hit $500K. Without these large accounts and the right commission structure, even the hardest work won't get you to half a million a year.
So, can you make $300K in tech sales? The answer is yes, but it requires a combination of expertise, opportunity, hustle, and the right role. For those committed to the field, achieving such a milestone is within reach, especially in enterprise level positions or high-growth sectors like SaaS.
Looking for more insights on how to get started on your path to $300k? Check out the N.E.S.T. Academy and see if tech sales is the right career path for you!