Account Executive Salary in 2026
Account executives manage client relationships and drive new business through prospecting, presentations, and deal closing. They work with prospects through the full sales cycle.
Median Salary
$69,990
$5,833/mo
Entry Level
$47,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$105,500
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel (SOC 41-3091, the closest published occupation to Account Executive) at a national median of $69,990 per year (mean $82,430), or $33.65 per hour, with 1,256,010 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Account Executive Overview
Account executives manage client relationships and drive new business through prospecting, presentations, and deal closing. They work with prospects through the full sales cycle.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Sales
Total Jobs (US)
1.3M
5-Year Growth
+17%
Category
Sales
Hourly Rate
$33.65/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,833
Account Executive Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Account Executive salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Account Executive Salary
$86,000
$7,167/month · $3,308/biweekly · $41.35/hr
Account Executive Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Account Executive field.
Entry-level Account Executives earn around $47,000, while the top 10% earn $122,250 or more.
Top Paying States for Account Executives
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $83,000 | +$13,010 |
| New York | $80,000 | +$10,010 |
| Massachusetts | $78,000 | +$8,010 |
| Illinois | $73,000 | +$3,010 |
| Texas | $69,000 | $-990 |
Top Paying Cities for Account Executives
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $87,000 | +$17,010 |
| New York | $83,000 | +$13,010 |
| Boston | $78,000 | +$8,010 |
| Chicago | $73,000 | +$3,010 |
| Austin | $72,000 | +$2,010 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Account Executive Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Account Executive.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Account Executive Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Account Executive from entry level to expert.
$47,000
0-2 years
$76,000
3-7 years
$105,500
8-14 years
$139,000
15+ years
Related Sales Jobs
Account Executive Salary FAQ
How much does a Account Executive make in 2026?
The median salary for a Account Executive in the United States is $69,990 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel (SOC 41-3091); the mean is $82,430. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $47,000, senior professionals around $105,500, and top earners at $139,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Account Executive?
A Account Executive typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 1-3 years of experience. Key skills include Salesforce, Cold Calling, Pipeline Management. Relevant certifications such as Salesforce Certification or HubSpot Sales can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Account Executives?
The job market for Account Executives is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 1.3M Account Executive positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 17%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Account Executives the most?
The highest-paying states for Account Executives include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $83,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Account Executive salary?
To increase your Account Executive salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Salesforce and Cold Calling. Pursue certifications such as Salesforce Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like San Francisco. With 1-3 years of experience, you can progress from $47,000 to $105,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Account Executive Salary
How we calculate Account Executive salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel (SOC 41-3091), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $69,990, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel; BLS mean $82,430; BLS hourly median $33.65.
- Entry-level ($47,000) and senior-level ($105,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 1,256,010 Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 17% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Sales sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $69,990; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Account Executive compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Account Executive job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Sales
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Account Executive salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Salesforce, Cold Calling, Pipeline Management), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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