CRO salary benchmark: what will your next sales leader cost?
Choose the role, the market and your company. See the published 2026 pay range, and what the leaders worth hiring are actually paid.
This benchmark was recalibrated in November 2026 using current live mandate data, verified Selective Search appointment evidence and updated UK, US and UAE market sources. Figures are indicative and vary by company scale, ownership, geography and package structure.
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How much does a CRO earn in the UK?
At UK scale-up and private equity-backed technology companies, a proven CRO typically commands £175k to £250k base and £350k to £500k on-target earnings, plus equity. At global enterprise level, base salaries rise to £225k to £350k, with £450k to £700k+ on-target earnings and long-term incentives. Selective Search’s verified 2025–26 appointment evidence includes £380k to £500k base, up to 50% variable, equity and a company bonus; total packages at that exceptional level can exceed £1m.
How much does a CRO earn in the US?
At US growth and private equity-backed companies, CRO base salaries typically run from $250k to $450k, with $500k to $1m on-target earnings plus equity. At global enterprise and public-company scale, base salaries rise to $400k to $650k+, with $800k to $1.5m+ on-target earnings and additional long-term incentives.
What does a VP Sales earn in 2026?
In the UK, VP Sales packages run from £150k to £190k base and £300k to £380k OTE at scale-ups and PE-backed companies, rising to £175k to £250k base and £350k to £500k OTE at global vendors. In the US, the equivalent ranges are $225k to $350k base and $450k to $700k OTE, rising to $300k to $450k base and $600k to $900k OTE at enterprise scale.
What does a Sales Director earn in 2026?
UK Sales Directors typically earn £130k to £180k base and £260k to £360k OTE at growth companies, rising to £135k to £200k base and £270k to £400k OTE at global vendors. US Sales Director packages range from $175k to $250k base and $350k to $500k OTE, rising to $225k to $325k base and $450k to $650k OTE at enterprise scale.
What does an Enterprise Account Executive earn in 2026?
UK Enterprise AEs typically earn £120k to £140k base and £240k to £280k OTE, while strategic sellers at global and AI vendors command £120k to £175k base and £240k to £350k OTE. In the US, ranges run from $140k to $200k base and $280k to $400k OTE, rising to $175k to $250k base and $350k to $500k OTE for strategic enterprise roles.
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WhatsApp the roleWhy the published numbers mislead
The average CRO now lasts 1.8 years. The leaders who change a company’s trajectory are rarely on the market, and they are paid far above the averages. Setting the package from published data alone is the most common reason a board loses its preferred candidate at the offer stage. Read more in our guides to CRO recruitment, VP Sales recruitment, Head of Sales recruitment and Sales Director recruitment.
Hiring a Chief Revenue Officer?
Use this benchmark to set a package that will land your preferred candidate, then talk to us before you go to market. Selective Search has run retained, confidential searches for senior technology sales leaders since 2005, with more than 500 placements. If you are weighing a CRO recruitment agency against a retained executive search firm, see how our CRO recruitment and executive sales recruitment work, or meet our CRO headhunter team. Brief us on a CRO search →
Get the November 2026 edition as a PDF
The November 2026 edition covers the UK, US and UAE, including what proven leaders are actually paid, in one document. We will email it to you straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Is the benchmark free?
Yes. The tool is free to use, and a confidential benchmark call on a live role with an Executive Partner is free too.
Where does the data come from?
Published 2025 and 2026 pay data from Glassdoor, Henderson Scott, SalesCookie, Talentfoot, Hays, Salary.com and Built In, alongside Selective Search’s own senior appointments.
Does pay differ for private equity-backed companies?
Usually the base sits in the lower half of the range, with more weight on variable pay and equity linked to the investment case.
Indicative blended ranges only; every package depends on the role, company scale, ownership, geography and candidate. Sources include Selective Search verified appointments and live mandates; Timberseed UK SaaS GTM Salary Insights 2026; Stott and May Global Technology Salary Insights 2026; OTE Jobs and OTE Radar live US posted-pay data; Harper Hewes SaaS CRO Compensation Benchmark; JRG Partners CRO Salary Guide 2026; HAILO UAE Salary Benchmark; Charterhouse UAE Salary Guide 2026; and Pink Camel UAE Salary Benchmark 2026.