Base salary, on-target earnings (OTE), and commission data for Business Development Representatives in San Diego. Updated April 2026.
The table below shows how BDR compensation scales across experience levels in San Diego. Ranges reflect the 25th–75th percentile for candidates consistently hitting quota.
| Experience | Base Salary | Base / Variable | OTE (100% Quota) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level 0–2 years |
$52K–$70K | 65/35 | $96K–$137K |
| Mid-Level 2–4 years |
$60K–$80K | 65/35 | $110K–$158K |
| Senior 4+ years |
$72K–$96K | 65/35 | $132K–$190K |
Commission structure: Quarterly pipeline bonuses + account-based incentives.
BDR hiring in San Diego skews toward enterprise-focused candidates with account mapping experience. Smaller market than LA but strong biotech and life sciences SDR talent. The local talent pool includes: good — biotech and defense-adjacent saas talent available.
Typical ramp time in San Diego: 45–75 days. Expected quota at full ramp: 10–20 qualified enterprise meetings/month.
BDR salaries in San Diego are +8% above the $65K national average. This reflects San Diego'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 San Diego range:
BDR → Senior BDR → Account Executive → Senior AE → Enterprise AE
In San Diego, 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 San Diego 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 San Diego range from $60,000–$80,000. With full on-target earnings at 100% quota attainment, total BDR compensation in San Diego reaches $110,000–$158,000.
BDRs in San Diego 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 65/35 base-to-variable split is slightly more base-heavy than junior SDR roles.
At 100% quota attainment, BDRs in San Diego earn $110,000–$158,000 in total compensation. Enterprise BDRs targeting F500 accounts or complex multi-stakeholder deals often command the upper end of this range. Quarterly pipeline bonuses + account-based incentives.
Compare with other roles in San Diego or the same role in nearby markets: