Account executive salary in the UK: base, OTE and take-home
Two numbers describe AE pay: base salary and OTE. OTE is base plus variable pay at 100% of quota. Offers and ads quote both, so know which one you are reading.
What the official data says
The ONS publishes pay for sales account and business development managers (SOC 2020 code 3556). SalaryTax republished the 2025 figures on 17 October 2026.
| Measure (full-time, gross, ASHE 2025) | Pay |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £32,651 |
| Median | £57,625 |
| 90th percentile | £106,958 |
This group is wide. It includes account executives, sales account managers and business development managers. It is pay received, not a target.
Why ads show higher numbers
An ad states OTE, which is a target. The ONS figure is what people were paid. So an OTE of £110,000 and a median of £57,625 do not conflict.
Self-reported sites such as RepVue publish UK AE medians. They skew to tech sales.
Pay in live UK ads
These ads were open to view on 18 October 2026. None states a segment such as SMB or enterprise.
| Employer | Pay as advertised | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Hawke Search, AE for an HR software firm | £65,000 to £70,000 per annum. The title says "65-75k Double OTE" | London |
| Stride Resource Management, AE in insurance broking | £70,000 to £80,000 per annum. Bonus of about £20,000, not guaranteed | London |
| Mellcrest, AE | £35,000 to £40,000 per annum, OTE | St Albans |
Links are in Sources. Read the full ad. The same page can quote two different numbers. The Mellcrest ad also says "OTE £50K+" in its benefits.
"Double OTE" usually means OTE is twice the base. Ask the recruiter to confirm, and see questions to ask a recruiter.
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Take-home on a £110,000 package
Say base is £65,000 and commission paid is £45,000. Total is £110,000. This assumes England, no pension, no student loan and no other income.
- Personal allowance falls £1 for every £2 above £100,000. Income is £10,000 over, so it falls by £5,000 to £7,570.
- Taxable income is £110,000 minus £7,570, which is £102,430.
- Tax at 20% on the first £37,700 is £7,540.
- Tax at 40% on the remaining £64,730 is £25,892.
- Income tax is £33,432.
- Employee National Insurance is 8% on £37,700, which is £3,016. Add 2% on £59,730, which is £1,194.60. Total £4,210.60.
- Take-home is £72,357.40 a year, or about £6,030 a month.
Rates are from gov.uk for 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027. Scotland has different bands. This is general information, not tax advice. Ask an accountant about your own case.
Run your own numbers
Put your base, variable pay and attainment into the OTE calculator. Then compare offers in the offer comparison calculator. Coming from an SDR role? See SDR salary in the UK. To ask for more, read how to negotiate OTE.
Sources
- SalaryTax, account executive pay (ONS ASHE 2025, SOC 3556)
- Hawke Search ad on Reed, seen 18 October 2026
- Stride Resource Management ad on Reed, seen 18 October 2026
- Mellcrest ad on Reed, seen 18 October 2026
- GOV.UK income tax rates 2026/27
- GOV.UK National Insurance rates
Questions
What is a good account executive salary in the UK?
ONS data for the wider group gives a median of £57,625 (ASHE 2025). The 90th percentile is £106,958. Ads for tech sales roles quote higher OTE.
What is the difference between base and OTE?
Base is fixed pay. OTE is base plus the variable pay you earn at 100% of quota. You earn less than OTE if you miss quota.
Why does extra pay above £100,000 feel small?
Between £100,000 and £125,140 you lose allowance. Each extra pound takes 60p in income tax. Add 2p of National Insurance.
Also: how to ask for a pay rise in sales.
Related guides
Sales OTE calculator
Base, variable and attainment to expected pay and UK take-home.
Offer comparison calculator
Two or three offers side by side, with year-one pay for each.
How to negotiate sales OTE
Pay mix, quota realism, accelerators and a two-offer worked example.
Run your search like a pipeline
A Notion kit for sellers changing roles. It has a target list and a pipeline board with follow-ups due. It also has recruiter scripts, negotiation scripts and an offer calculator for year-one pay. £14, one payment, plus VAT for UK and EU buyers.
Principled Pitch is independent. Pay, quotas and hiring processes vary by company and country. Check the details of any role with the recruiter.