Skip to content
Career path

Where an SDR job can lead, and what it pays

In India, SDRs at B2B SaaS companies typically start at ₹4.5–⁠8 LPA including variable pay, and can move up to Account Executive in two to four years. Most people start in consumer sales instead, like tele-calling, EdTech counselling or retail banking, where pay and growth are usually lower.

  • Typical starting pay

    Consumer sales (B2C):

    ₹2.5–⁠4.5 LPA

    SDR at a software company:

    ₹4.5–⁠8 LPA incl. variable

  • Who you sell to

    Consumer sales (B2C):

    Individual customers, in high volume

    SDR at a software company:

    Companies and the people who decide

  • What you learn

    Consumer sales (B2C):

    Pitching and handling objections

    SDR at a software company:

    Researching companies, contacting buyers, tracking deals

  • Where it leads

    Consumer sales (B2C):

    Growth often slows after a few years

    SDR at a software company:

    Account Executive in 2–⁠4 years

The SaaS sales ladder

Five levels, from your first sales job to running a team. Typical yearly pay in ₹ lakh, including incentives.

  1. 1

    SDR

    ₹4.5–⁠8LPA

    Years 0–⁠2 · Start conversations and book qualified meetings.

    Freshers aim here
  2. 2

    Senior SDR / SDR Team Lead

    ₹8–⁠14LPA

    Years 1.5–⁠3 · Handle bigger accounts and coach new SDRs.

    Experienced aim here
  3. 3

    Account Executive

    ₹12–⁠22LPA

    Years 2–⁠4 · Run demos and close the deals SDRs open.

  4. 4

    Senior Account Executive

    ₹20–⁠35LPA

    Years 4–⁠7 · Close larger deals with several decision-makers.

  5. 5

    Sales Manager / Head of Sales

    ₹30–⁠50LPA

    Years 6+ · Lead a team and own the sales target.

Typical pay in ₹ lakh a year, including incentives

Typical ranges at Indian B2B SaaS companies, total CTC including variable pay (incentives). Pay varies by company, funding stage and performance.

Fresher or experienced

Two starting points, the same career path

Everyone does the same program. What changes is the roles you aim for, the pay range, and what we spend extra time on with you.

Fresher

If you're a fresher

You've just graduated, or worked for less than a year, in any non-tech stream.

Typical starting range

₹4.5–⁠8 LPAincl. variable

Next step: Senior SDR (₹8–⁠14 LPA typical)

Roles you'll aim for
SDR roles at B2B SaaS companies

What we spend extra time on

  • Sales basics from scratch: prospecting, cold email and calls
  • Work samples you can show in place of job experience
  • Aiming for companies where SDRs can grow into Account Executive (AE) roles
1–⁠4 years' experience

If you're switching from B2C

You have 1–⁠4 years in B2C sales, tele-calling, EdTech counselling, support or operations, and want a bigger next step.

Typical market range

₹8–⁠14 LPAincl. variable

Next step: Account Executive, typically ₹12–⁠22 LPA

Where you start depends on how well you can show your B2C results, the company and your city. Some people switching over start in the entry range.

Roles you'll aim for
SDR and Senior SDR roles at B2B SaaS companies

What we spend extra time on

  • Explaining your B2C results in a way B2B hiring managers understand
  • Using AI for research and writing, so you work faster
  • Negotiating your offer, with your work samples as evidence

Start with a free assessment

We'll look at your background and tell you which path fits, which roles to aim for and what they typically pay. It's free, with no obligation to enrol.

Get your free assessment

Email us and we'll send it to you. No payment and no sales call.

Have a question?

Ask us about fit, fees, EMI or enrolment. Someone from our team will reply.

Email our team