Business Development Executive Salary in India 2025 – Average to Highest

If you are interested in exploring the world of Business Development Executives and curious about the business development executive salary in India, you have come to the right place. Business Development Executives play a crucial role in any organization, helping to identify and nurture partnerships while driving sales and revenue growth.

If you answered yes to those questions, then you’ve come to the right place. The business development executive salary in India varies based on experience, industry, and skills. These professionals are among the most important employees in an organization, as they help foster partnerships and generate higher sales.

This article will cover the average business development executive salary in India, the key factors affecting it, and strategies to maximize earnings in this profession. Whether you are considering a career in business development or aiming to climb the corporate ladder, this guide will provide insights into salary trends and opportunities in this dynamic field.

What is the Average Business Development Executive Salary in India? 

The average business development executive salary in India is INR 2.98 lakh per annum including bonuses, shared profits, and commissions. The salary in this field ranges from INR 1.71 lakh per annum to INR 6.16 lakh per annum. 

It’s one of the best jobs for professionals that want to get leadership roles in companies and learn about the industry. With sufficient experience and expertise, you can bag more lucrative roles such as business development manager, assistant sales manager, and inside sales representative. 

Also, keep in mind that your business executive salary depends on multiple factors such as your location, employer, and skills. We have discussed how these factors influence your pay in more detail later in the article. 

The business development executive salary for freshers in India typically ranges from ₹1.7 Lakhs to ₹3 Lakhs annually, offering a promising entry point into the industry for recent graduates and newcomers. These figures are derived from a comprehensive analysis of 94.1k recent salary reports from professionals working in the Business Development field.

Business Development Executives hold a pivotal role in driving growth and exploring new business opportunities for their organizations. Their key responsibilities often encompass identifying potential clients, fostering strategic partnerships, and devising effective plans to boost revenue and market presence. 

Given their substantial contributions to a company’s success, the demand for skilled Business Development Executives remains consistently high, making it an appealing and promising career path for individuals seeking dynamic and rewarding opportunities in the Indian job market.

What Does a Business Development Executive Do? 

A business development executive is responsible for developing positive business relationships with the clients of their organization. They focus on attracting new clients through marketing and sales techniques to increase sales and generate more revenue. 

Business Development Executives conduct market research to identify growth areas and trends, generate leads using cold calling, email marketing, etc., collaborate with sales teams for effective strategies, craft compelling proposals, negotiate contracts, build networks, and seek continuous improvements. Success requires business acumen, sales expertise, adaptability, creativity, and customer-centricity.

Business development executives have to constantly find other companies and brands to work with so they can reach out to new market segments and establish joint ventures with the same. All of their activities are focused on enhancing the growth of their firm and facilitating its sales. Business development executives are responsible for researching market trends and competitors to stay up to date with the current industry. They must also brainstorm ideas for creating and launching new products or services.

A business development executive works closely with sales teams and regional sales managers to keep track of the total sales generated. They write business proposals and lead the negotiation of contract terms with other businesses. Business development executives are also responsible for evaluating the risks and benefits of potential business partnerships. As they work with sales teams and managers, they might also have to equip them with the required technical and social skills. They also have to review the customers’ feedback and apply the required modifications. 

Due to the unique requirements of this role, a business development executive must have strong written and verbal communication skills, leadership skills, and management skills. They have to build strong relationships with the clients and customers of the business, which is why having good interpersonal skills is a must-have for these professionals. 

The work environment of a business development executive depends highly on their employer. For example, a large organization might require a business development executive to travel frequently and work with multiple teams. On the other hand, a smaller organization might only require them to focus on interacting with clients. 

Factors Affecting Business Development Executive Salary in India

There are many factors affecting the average business development executive salary in India. You should consider all of these factors before you determine which role is suitable for you. Understanding the impact of such factors will also help you understand how much you can expect to earn when you enter the industry.

The average salary of Business Development Executive in India is influenced by numerous factors. It is crucial to consider these factors carefully when evaluating job opportunities and determining the best fit for your career. Understanding the impact of these factors will provide valuable insights into potential earnings within the industry. As you enter the intriguing world of business development, you can set reasonable expectations for salary and make well-informed decisions regarding your career path by being aware of these factors.

The factors that affect the business development executive salary in India the most are:

• Experience
• Location
• Skills
• Employer

Let’s discuss each one of these factors in detail: 

Experience

The amount of professional experience you have as a business development executive would affect your salary the most. New and inexperienced professionals in this sector earn around 18% less than the average whereas highly experienced business development executives earn around 151% more than the average, which is an astounding difference.

A business development executive with less than a year’s experience earns an average pay of INR 2.46 lakh per annum. Similarly, a business development executive with one to four years of professional experience can expect to earn INR 3.01 lakh per annum on average.

With more experience, you can expect to earn substantially more in this industry as business development executives with five to nine years of professional experience earn an average compensation of INR 4.21 lakh per annum. Those with 10 to 19 years of experience in this sector earn an average salary of INR 3.96 lakh per annum while those with more than 20 years of experience get around INR 7.5 lakh per annum.

Location

Where your work can have a huge impact on how much you earn. Even though people don’t usually have a lot of control over the location of their job, knowing how it impacts your salary would certainly help you figure out how much you can expect to earn as a business development executive.

The most lucrative location for business development executives in Bangalore, where they earn around 30% higher than the national average. Other notable cities where business development executives earn more than the national average are Hyderabad (11% higher than the average), Chennai (6% higher than the average), Baroda (28% higher than the average) and Mumbai (3% higher than the average). 

Just like there are places where you can earn above-average, there are places that offer less than average pay in this sector. These include Noida (2% less than the average), Chandigarh (30% less than the average), and Kolkata (8% less than the average). 

Skills

Probably the area you have the most control on is the skills you have. It’s also a highly influential factor in determining your business development executive salary. Having the necessary skills can certainly help you earn a higher salary in this industry. 

The most important skill to have as a business development executive is Account Management as professionals with that skill reported to earn a whopping 81% higher than average salaries. After that is Branding which offers 67% higher than the average pay for business development executives. Team Leadership is also a must-have skill for these professionals as it offers 52% higher than the average salaries.

Other prominent skills that offer above-average pay are:

• Presentations (51% higher than the average)
• Pre-Sales (46% higher than the average)
• Contract Negotiation (36% higher than the average)
• Corporate Communications (36% higher than the average)
• Technical Sales (23% higher than the average)

While these skills are the most lucrative, some other skills are highly in demand. For example, client interaction and lead generation are among the most popular skills for business development executives.

Employer

Which company you work for also affects your salary heavily. Some companies offer higher than average compensation while some offer better work environments. Knowing about which companies offer the best (and which offer the worst) salaries can help you determine who to work for. 

The company which offers the highest salaries to business development executives is Freshworks, which gives an average salary of INR 7.71 lakh per annum to these professionals. Byju’s offers great compensation to business development executives as well as its average pay for these professionals is INR 6 lakh per annum. 

How to Earn the Top Business Development Executive Salary in India?

You read in the previous section how different factors affect the business development executive salary. Out of all of those factors, the one you have the most control over is the number of skills you have. 

As we saw before, having specific skills can increase your pay in this field exponentially. However, you might ask, “How can I learn those skills?” 

The best way to learn the necessary skills such as customer relationship management and team leadership is through a course in management or sales. Taking a course will not only teach you the required skills but will also provide you with a structured curriculum so you can learn efficiently. 

At upGrad, we offer multiple courses in management and sales, which would prepare you for the industry and give you the expertise you need to become a skilled business development executive. 

Some of the best courses to become a business development executive are:

1. PG Program in Management

Our PG Program in Management lasts for 11 months and offers one-on-one sessions with hiring managers. After completing this course, you can easily apply for business development executive roles. Moreover, your management expertise would allow you to upgrade to senior roles.  

2. PG Diploma in Management

This is a 2-year program we offer with the reputed Birla Institute of Management Technology. This course offers three specialisations and teaches you many crucial topics and skills including supply chain management, marketing management, financial management, etc. You only need to have a valid bachelor’s degree to join this program. 

3. Job Linked PG Certification in Sales

This is a particularly excellent course for freshers and students. Our Job Linked PG Certification Sales is a 6-month program that teaches you multiple crucial skills for a business development executive including lead generation, communication skills, account management, leadership, interpersonal skills, etc. You must be a graduate to join this program. 

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Getting an MBA will help you become a business development executive easily. It will also help you accelerate your career growth and bag more senior roles as you gain experience. We offer an MBA with the Liverpool Business School. This course lasts only for 20 months and teaches you leadership, business growth strategies, engagement and people performance, marketing strategies, among other important skills. You must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks and a minimum of two years of professional experience to join this program. 

Enroll in upGrad’s courses that are relevant to your chosen field to start your path to becoming a knowledgeable and well-paid Business Development Executive. With the correct knowledge and abilities in this exciting and lucrative field, you may get the competitive edge and take your career to new heights. As you gain experience and expertise, you can position yourself for even higher earning potential, advancing to a senior business development executive salary that offers greater rewards and opportunities.

Conclusion

Business Development Executives play a vital role in helping companies gain more customers and accelerate their growth, which is why they command a handsome salary in the industry. The business development executive salary in India varies based on experience, location, and industry, but with the right skills and expertise, professionals can unlock higher earning potential.

For those just starting, the business development executive salary for freshers may be lower, but with experience and specialized knowledge, individuals can progress to higher-paying roles. If you're looking to boost your career and maximize your BDE salary in India, investing in the right education and skills is essential.

If you’re interested in becoming a Business Development Executive, we recommend enrolling in one of the courses mentioned above. A structured learning experience will help you acquire the necessary skills and industry knowledge to excel in this dynamic field.

upGrad, a leading online higher education platform, offers industry-relevant programs in collaboration with world-class faculty. It provides a flexible and interactive learning experience through online MBA programs from Liverpool Business School, Deakin Business School, and more. Specializations include Finance, Operations, Strategy & Leadership, and Executive MBA programs, designed to help professionals fast-track their careers.

Learn MBA courses from top global universities and accelerate your journey toward a rewarding career in business development!