Account Executive Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$95,000
national median salary
$70,000 to $135,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$132,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$99,000
Miami, FL
Lowest Paying
$85,000
Pittsburgh, PA
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 Account Executive salary in the United States is $95,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $70,000 at the 25th percentile to $135,000 at the 75th. San Jose pays the most at $132,000, while Miami offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. On target earnings (OTE) matter more than base salary.
Account Executive salary by city
What you should know
On target earnings (OTE) matter more than base salary. Deal size, sales cycle length, and industry vertical create significant compensation differences. Enterprise AEs selling six and seven figure deals earn far more than SMB representatives. Consistently exceeding quota for multiple quarters gives you the strongest negotiation leverage.
SDRs start at $45,000 to $65,000 base (OTE $75,000 to $100,000). AEs earn $80,000 to $135,000 base (OTE $160,000 to $270,000). Senior or enterprise AEs reach OTE of $250,000 to $400,000. Sales directors and VPs can earn $300,000 to $500,000+ with team overrides and bonuses.
Commission structures typically set OTE at 2x base salary, so a $90,000 base targets $180,000 total. Top performers regularly exceed OTE by 30 to 50%. Accelerators kick in above quota, and Presidents Club trips and bonuses reward the highest achievers. Equity is common at SaaS startups.