AI Business Development Manager Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$196,000
national median salary
$135,000 to $265,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$276,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$204,000
Arlington, VA
Lowest Paying
$148,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average AI Business Development Manager salary in the United States is $196,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $135,000 at the 25th percentile to $265,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $276,000, while Arlington offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Compensation scales with the size of enterprise deals closed and depth of technical fluency in AI products.
AI Business Development Manager salary by city
Skills that increase AI Business Development Manager pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for AI Business Development Managers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $27,440 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$27,440 per year
≈ +$25,480 per year
≈ +$23,520 per year
≈ +$21,560 per year
≈ +$21,560 per year
≈ +$19,600 per year
≈ +$19,600 per year
≈ +$17,640 per year
What you should know
Compensation scales with the size of enterprise deals closed and depth of technical fluency in AI products. Managers who can articulate ROI for complex ML deployments command premiums. Industry vertical expertise in finance or healthcare adds 15 to 25% above general tech sales roles.
Entry-level AI sales roles start around $90,000 to $110,000 base. Mid-career business development managers reach $135,000 to $196,000. Directors of AI partnerships earn $220,000 to $300,000, and VP-level roles at major AI companies exceed $350,000 with equity.
On-target earnings often double base salary through commission accelerators on large contracts. Equity grants are standard at Series B and later startups, with annual refreshers tied to quota attainment.