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29th July 2026

Business Development Manager 2026: Salary Trends and Industry Insights

Discover the latest trends with Paul Harper Search's 2026 BDM Salary Survey.

Paul Harper Search is proud to present the 2026 BDM Salary Survey an essential resource for BDMs, Strategic Partnership Managers, Telephone Account Managers, and the businesses that employ them across the financial services intermediary distribution market.

Now in its 26th year, the guide combines their exclusive headhunt data with in-depth benchmarking across basic salary, total earnings, bonus structures, gender pay, region, and company type. The guide is a comprehensive, data-rich report designed to keep you informed and ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving market.

What's inside?

The guide provides actionable insights on:

  • Salary benchmarks, including average basic and total earnings for BDMs, Strategic Partnership Managers, and Telephone Account Managers.
  • Gender pay trends across basic salary and total earnings.
  • Regional and company-type variations in pay.
  • Bonus trends: how basic/bonus splits have shifted over time and what it means for hiring and retention.

Key findings at a glance:

  • Mean total earnings for BDMs rose 12% to £128,732, reversing last year's dip and marking a strong return to growth.
  • Average basic salary rose 6% to a record £86,433, with 69% of BDMs now earning over £80,000 basic, up from just 40% in 2023.
  • Bonuses are back: the bonus share of total pay rose to 33%, up from 29% in 2025, after several years of decline.
  • For the first time on record, women's average basic salary has overtaken men's — £85,990 versus £85,474 for men — though men's total earnings still lead overall, driven by stronger bonus outcomes.
  • Strategic Partnership Managers saw the strongest growth of all, with mean total earnings up 26% to £150,313.
  • Regional pay gaps persist: London & South East leads on basic salary, while the North West pays the highest total earnings.

Whether you're planning your next career move, benchmarking your team's pay, or simply want to stay ahead of market intel, this guide provides the data and insights you need to make informed decisions.

Get the full report here

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