Sales · Career move

Sales Development Rep (SDR) → Account Executive (AE)

What the move actually takes — the path, the skills to add, and the timeline — with the pay it unlocks. Indicative and sourced; a target, not a promise.

The trajectory

$85,000 OTE now → $200,000 OTE in ~2 yrs

~1.8 yrs typical

The path

Sales Development Rep (SDR)→Account Executive (AE)

Route: quota-attainment

Skills to add

What Account Executive (AE) needs that Sales Development Rep (SDR) typically doesn't.

Discovery + qualification (MEDDIC/BANT)
Run a full sales cycle to close
Product demo + value articulation
Pipeline management + forecasting basics

Credentials on this route

Evidence of quota attainment (pipeline/meetings); no formal credential

Explore both roles

Sales Development Rep (SDR) in full Account Executive (AE) in full How to become a Account Executive (AE) →Quota-carrying family →

Figures are indicative, in USD, and never a guarantee of an outcome.