Tech Sales Salary

Tech Sales Salary: How Much Can You Make in Tech Sales?

When exploring the field of tech sales, one of the most common questions is: how much can you actually earn? The demand for skilled sales professionals continues to grow, particularly in tech, where products and services can be complex and require a strong understanding of the technology being sold. Tech sales professionals are tasked with finding leads, nurturing, and closing deals, and for many, the earning potential in this industry is a major attraction.

Tech sales salaries can vary based on many factors, such as the level of experience, location, and whether the role includes commissions. In this article, we’ll break down the details of tech sales salaries, including entry-level figures, potential commission structures, and insights on how to reach the highest earning levels in tech sales.

Before signing up for any Tech Sales Training, it’s essential to fully understand tech sales salary benchmarks, to ensure you’re well informed about the career path ahead. Whether you're curious about the highest paying tech sales salary reddit users discuss or want to know what the entry level tech sales salary reddit community reports, we’ve got the answers. This guide will provide a comprehensive look at what you can expect in terms of compensation at various stages in your tech sales career.

Is Tech Sales a High Paying Career?

For those considering a tech sales career, one of the first things to know is that it can indeed be a high-paying field, depending on your role and experience level. The tech sales industry has a broad salary range, which is often influenced by base pay, performance-based bonuses, and commission. Many professionals find tech sales appealing because of this performance-driven earning potential.

Typically, a tech sales salary with commission can offer substantial earning potential, especially in markets where tech products are in high demand. The base salary for a tech sales representative may range from $90,000 to $120,000. However, the most significant income boost comes from commissions, which allow top performers to earn well over six figures. In many cases, this additional compensation is directly tied to the amount of revenue generated from your sales, meaning your earning potential grows with your success.

For entry-level positions, the starting salary seems modest compared to senior roles. Entry level tech sales roles, like the SDR or BDR, can make anywhere from $40,000 to $65,000. Compensation for entry level positions differs from more senior positions because the base salary is more heavily weighted. Most companies do not offer lucrative commission packages to SDRs. SDRs are expected to cut their teeth cold calling and booking meetings for a couple years before growing into a quota carrying Account Executive with a big commission package.  

After gaining experience as an SDR, Mid-level to senior tech sales professionals typically enjoy salaries that reflect their experience. This is typically accomplished through a graduated commission structure. In a graduated commission structure, a sales rep is paid a combination of a base salary and a tiered commission.  This structure incentivizes individuals to improve their skills, expand their networks, and exceed sales goals to boost their overall compensation.

One major draw of a tech sales career is that there are few limits to how much you can earn. As the industry continues to grow, so do the opportunities for top earners. The ability to supplement your base salary with commission makes tech sales particularly attractive for individuals who are motivated by a performance-based environment. If you're consistently able to hit your sales targets, tech sales can be a highly rewarding career, both financially and professionally.

Can You Make $300k in Tech Sales?

Because there are few limits on how much you can earn, it may not surprise you to learn that making $300,000 in tech sales is not only possible but also quite common for top performers. Reaching this level of income typically requires several years of experience, strong sales skills, and often a focus on high-ticket products or enterprise-level deals. The product you are selling has a huge impact on whether it is possible to make $300,000 in tech sales.

Senior roles in tech sales, such as account executives or sales managers, can easily earn a base salary in the $100,000 to $150,000 range. When combined with commissions from successful sales, the total compensation package can reach $300,000 or even higher. In some cases, tech sales professionals working with large enterprise clients and managing long, complex sales cycles may earn even more due to the size of the deals they close.

While there is a path to making $300,000, hitting the $300,000 mark isn’t achieved overnight. It takes time to climb the sales ladder putting you in a spot to even have a chance at making $300,000. Once you’re in that spot, it takes time to build relationships with key decision-makers, develop a deep understanding of the products or services being sold, and prove your value to your clients. The silver lining is that once you've established yourself as a trusted advisor in your field, the financial rewards can be substantial.

One way to speed up the journey to $3000,000 is by working for a high-growth company or one that offers a particularly lucrative commission structure. The combination of a high growth company with lucrative commission plans are typically found at SaaS startups. Because these companies are young and have no proven sales process, their roles are inherently more risky. The inflated risk forces startups to offer more appealing commission structures to attract top talent. Some tech sales professionals will opt to work for a startup because the path to a $300,000 income is more attainable than at established companies.

While it is clearly possible to make $300,000 in tech sales, it is important to remember it is not the standard. The $300,000 mark is typically only achieved by top performers.

How Much Can You Make as a Tech Sales Professional?

So if the $300,00 annual salary is only for the top performers, how much can you actually expect to make in tech sales? The earning potential in tech sales varies based on experience, location, and the type of tech being sold, but an average mid-level tech sales salary in the US ranges from $105,000 to $150,000.

In addition to base salary, commissions and bonuses can significantly impact total compensation. For instance, sales professionals working with more complex technology, such as software as a service (SaaS) platforms, cloud services, or enterprise IT solutions, can expect higher commissions due to the larger deal sizes they handle. For these professionals, closing a few large deals per year could result in tens of thousands of dollars in additional earnings.

Location is another large factor that can impact your tech sales salary. Professionals working in major tech hubs such as San Francisco, New York, or Seattle often command higher salaries due to the cost of living and the concentration of tech companies in these areas. However, with the rise of remote work, more sales professionals are able to secure high-paying roles without needing to live in these expensive cities.

For entry-level professionals, the starting salary in tech sales is typically between $40,000 and $65,000, depending on the company and the specific sales role. However with the right combination of training, experience, and performance, it’s possible to see significant salary growth within just a few years.

What is the Highest Salary for Technical Sales?

Technical sales is a subsection of technology sales. One of the highest-paying roles in technical sales is a technical sales engineer. These professionals combine technical knowledge with sales skills, often working closely with the product team and Account Executive to understand the ins and outs of the prospect. Because of their deep technical skills, technical sales engineers help customize solutions to meet the unique needs of the prospect. Sales engineers are also there to present difficult technical ideas in a way that is easy for prospects to understand. Due to the dual nature of their work, balancing technical expertise with sales acumen, tech sales engineers are highly valued and compensated accordingly.

In fact, the role of a tech sales engineer is often considered one of the most rewarding positions in the tech sales industry. These professionals are tasked with bridging the gap between technical teams and customers, ensuring that the product's value is communicated clearly while addressing any technical concerns. Because they play such a critical role in the sales process, their compensation packages often reflect the importance of their work.

A Tech Sales Engineer salary can range anywhere from $120,000 to $200,000. Compensation packages for sales engineers are structured differently than standard Account Executives. When you look at how Account Executives are paid, they typically have close to a 50/50 split between their base salary and commission. On the other hand a tech sales engineer salary is closer to a 80/20 split, meaning 80% of income comes from their base salary. Due to the difference in commission percentage, a tech sales engineer salary is less risky, but it sacrifices some of the upside seen in Account Executive commission plans.  

Can You Make Good Money in Tech Sales?

Whether you choose to be a standard account executive, or you choose the technical sales route, yes, you can make good money in tech sales. An entry level tech sales role is not going to make you rich, but if you’re good at it, you will make more money than most entry level positions. You’ll also be setting yourself down a path with substantial earning potential.

When dealing with high ticket items or enterprise level deals, your hourly rate can explode. For those looking for the highest paying tech sales salary per hour, try to find a role where your contract values are high and sales cycles are short. These types of sales, especially when commission-based, can offer substantial earnings. While it’s rare for tech sales jobs to be paid by the hour, the overall earning potential for salaried positions with commission structures can result in very high hourly compensation when broken down.

Many tech sales professionals are drawn to this field because of the ability to control their earnings. Unlike traditional salaried positions, sales roles often have flexible earning potential that grows in relation to how much effort is put into closing deals. If you put in the effort, then you can make good money in tech sales. 

What is the Average Commission for Tech Sales?

Commission structures in tech sales can vary significantly, but on average, professionals can expect commissions to range between 10% and 30% of the revenue they generate from their sales. This percentage often depends on the company, product, and level of experience. For entry level tech sales jobs, commission rates are typically on the lower end of the scale. SDRs are typically paid a flat commission when they book a qualified meeting, instead of a percentage of a closed-won contract. As you become more experienced, individuals can secure higher percentages as part of your overall compensation package.

Is Tech Sales a Stressful Job?

Tech sales can indeed be a highly stressful career, more so than many other jobs, due to the direct link between performance and quotas. In tech sales, your success is not only measurable but also visible to your entire team and leadership. Missing your targets or struggling to close deals can create intense pressure, as compensation is often closely tied to performance. This constant need to meet or exceed quotas can create a high-stakes environment where stress levels are elevated.

The nature of tech sales—selling complex products in a competitive market—adds another layer of difficulty. Salespeople must often deal with long sales cycles, unpredictable customer behavior, and evolving technology landscapes, all while maintaining a pipeline of qualified leads. The transparency of performance metrics in sales roles makes it hard to hide underperformance, which can be a source of anxiety for many.

Despite the stress, many successful tech sales professionals find motivation in the financial rewards. The ability to earn a substantial salary with commissions, combined with the autonomy to manage your own work, makes the stress more bearable for those who thrive in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.

Conclusion

Tech sales is a lucrative field with a wide range of earning potential. Whether you're just starting out in entry level tech sales jobs or aiming to become a top earner, the opportunities for professional and financial success are vast. The combination of base salary and commission makes it one of the most rewarding career paths for those with the right skill set. Remember, the amount you can make selling tech ultimately depends on your dedication and ability to close deals, but the ceiling is high for those willing to put in the work.

If you’re willing to put in the work and interested in getting started on your own tech sales journey, we’d love to hear from you. Click the button below to learn how!