Sales · Family

Quota-carrying

The revenue engine — from booking meetings as an SDR to closing strategic accounts. Pay is OTE (base + commission at target); attainment drives everything.

Typical total compensation across this family (US)
$85,000$300,000
5 roles · Sales Development Rep (SDR)Strategic Account Executive · levels R1–A4

Indicative, sourced ranges — not a guarantee.

Roles at a glance

RoleLevelMedianDifficultyDemandAI-risk
Sales Development Rep (SDR)R1$85,000LowHighHigh
Account Executive (AE)A1$200,000MedHighMed
Senior Account ExecutiveA2$240,000MedHighLow
Enterprise Account ExecutiveA3$275,000HighMedLow
Strategic Account ExecutiveA4$300,000HighMedLow

What each role pays

Sales Development Rep (SDR)
$85,000
Account Executive (AE)
$200,000
Senior Account Executive
$240,000
Enterprise Account Executive
$275,000
Strategic Account Executive
$300,000

Climb the ladder

Progression is driven by scope and level, not tenure.

Credentials that help

Credentials help entry and specialisation; scope drives seniority.

  • Sandler Sales training · $3,000
  • Salesforce Certified Administrator · $200
  • MEDDIC / MEDDPICC certification (MEDDIC Academy) · $297
  • Challenger Sale training/certification · Quote-based; aggregators cite $400 to several thousand per learner

FAQ

What does a career in quota-carrying pay?

Typical total compensation across this family runs $85,000–$300,000 (US, indicative), from Sales Development Rep (SDR) to Strategic Account Executive.

Which quota-carrying role is most in demand?

Sales Development Rep (SDR) carries the strongest hiring demand in this family (high). Very high front-line hiring volume + churn (RepVue), but broad BLS sales-rep SOC only +1% and AI automation is a headwind - high near-term openings, softening structural demand. Net 3 on current volume, watch AI.

How do you move up in quota-carrying?

Progression is by scope and level, not tenure — e.g. Sales Development Rep (SDR) → Account Executive (AE) (~1.75 yrs typical).

Explore the roles

Figures are indicative, in USD, and never a guarantee of an outcome. Personas and guides are added as the family's content is authored.

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