Base salary, on-target earnings (OTE), and commission data for Business Development Representatives in Houston. Updated April 2026.
The table below shows how BDR compensation scales across experience levels in Houston. Ranges reflect the 25th–75th percentile for candidates consistently hitting quota.
| Experience | Base Salary | Base / Variable | OTE (100% Quota) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level 0–2 years |
$44K–$59K | 68/32 | $78K–$111K |
| Mid-Level 2–4 years |
$50K–$68K | 68/32 | $90K–$128K |
| Senior 4+ years |
$60K–$82K | 68/32 | $108K–$154K |
Commission structure: Quarterly quota bonuses + deal close participation SPIFFs.
BDR hiring in Houston skews toward enterprise-focused candidates with account mapping experience. Large metro with affordable cost of living and no state income tax. The local talent pool includes: large — energy, healthcare, and saas sales professionals available.
Typical ramp time in Houston: 45–75 days. Expected quota at full ramp: 10–20 qualified enterprise meetings/month.
BDR salaries in Houston are -9% below the $65K national average. This reflects Houston's local cost of living, demand for tech sales talent, and the concentration of SaaS employers in the area.
These proficiencies consistently push BDR compensation toward the upper end of the Houston range:
BDR → Senior BDR → Account Executive → Senior AE → Enterprise AE
In Houston, strong BDRs typically promote to AE within 18–24 months. Promotion timelines are shorter at growth-stage SaaS companies than at enterprise sales organizations.
Most companies in Houston spend $18,000–$25,000 per BDR placement through a recruiting agency, plus 6–10 weeks of pipeline time. Shortlist shortcircuits that with 5 pre-vetted BDR candidates delivered in 48 hours.
BDR base salaries in Houston range from $50,000–$68,000. With full on-target earnings at 100% quota attainment, total BDR compensation in Houston reaches $90,000–$128,000.
BDRs in Houston typically earn 8–15% more than SDRs at the same tenure, reflecting the higher complexity of enterprise-focused outbound. BDRs target larger accounts with longer cycles, which justifies the premium. The 68/32 base-to-variable split is slightly more base-heavy than junior SDR roles.
At 100% quota attainment, BDRs in Houston earn $90,000–$128,000 in total compensation. Enterprise BDRs targeting F500 accounts or complex multi-stakeholder deals often command the upper end of this range. Quarterly quota bonuses + deal close participation SPIFFs.
Compare with other roles in Houston or the same role in nearby markets: