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Sales Executive

Find new customers, build relationships, and close deals - often with bonus on top of salary.

This UK sales executive career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.

Quick facts

Starting salary
£24,000 - £32,000 (+ commission)
Mid-career salary
£40,000 - £70,000 (+ commission)
Senior salary
£80,000 - £200,000+ OTE
Work environment
Office, field, or remote
Time to entry
0 - 1 year
Degree required
Not required
Category
Sales, Retail and Customer Service

What a Sales Executive does

Find new customers, build relationships, and close deals - often with bonus on top of salary.

  • SDR / BDR - Entry-level sales role focused on booking meetings.
  • Account Executive - Close deals with new customers in B2B sales.
  • Account Manager - Look after existing clients and grow their spend.
  • Field Sales Rep - Visit customers in person, often regional patches.

How to become a Sales Executive

  1. Look up Sales Executive roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
  2. Talk to someone already working as a Sales Executive - even a 15-minute call helps
  3. Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
  4. Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
  5. Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month

Key skills

  • Communication
  • Resilience
  • Listening
  • Negotiation