How to become a sales executive
Becoming a sales executive in the UK doesn't require a degree, and the route in is more flexible than most people assume. Entry-level pay sits around £24,000 - £32,000, mid-career roles earn £40,000 - £70,000, senior or specialist sales executives earn £80,000 - £200,000+ OTE. This guide covers the realistic route in, what you can earn at each stage, and whether the work fits how you like to spend your day.
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
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, No-degree careers, Career change.
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 in the UK
You don't need a degree to become a sales executive in the UK. The most reliable route is a mix of short formal training (college course, apprenticeship, or industry-recognised certification) and hands-on experience as quickly as possible - typically through an entry-level role, apprenticeship, or paid work-shadowing. Most people get their first proper role within 0 - 1 year once they commit to the path.
- Decide which kind of sales suits you, such as B2B software, recruitment, media advertising, field sales or car sales, as each has different pay and pressure.
- Apply for SDR, BDR or trainee sales executive roles, which are designed for people without sales experience and include structured training.
- Practise cold calling and email prospecting, and prepare a short story about a time you persuaded someone or hit a target.
- Learn a CRM such as Salesforce or HubSpot, as logging calls, pipeline and forecasts is part of every sales executive's day.
- Study discovery questioning and objection handling, and research your target company's product and customers before each interview.
- Ask each employer how the commission plan works, including base salary, OTE, quotas and whether commission is capped.
- Consider a Level 4 sales executive apprenticeship if you want a recognised qualification while you earn.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDR or BDR entry role | 0-6 months to start | None | Graduates and career changers |
| Level 4 sales executive apprenticeship | At least 12 months | Paid by the employer | Earning a qualification on the job |
| Move across from retail or customer service | 0-1 year | None | People already good with customers |
| Field sales role | 0-1 year | None, driving licence usually needed | People who like travel and meeting clients |
How long it takes
You can often start in a junior sales role within weeks to a few months, as many SDR and trainee posts need no experience. Expect up to a year before you are closing deals on your own and earning steady commission.
Sales Executive salary in the UK
Entry-level sales executive roles in the UK pay £24,000 - £32,000 (+ commission). Mid-career sales executives earn £40,000 - £70,000 (+ commission). Senior or specialist sales executives earn £80,000 - £200,000+ OTE. Pay varies by region (London and the South East typically sit at the top of the range), employer, and specialism.
Is sales executive a good career?
Sales Executive can be a strong career choice in the UK if it matches how you actually like to work. On stability: always in demand. Competition for roles is generally moderate. Day-to-day environment: office, field, or remote. The honest answer depends on your personality and priorities - the trade-offs (hours, responsibility, pace) matter as much as the salary.
Key skills
- Communication
- Resilience
- Listening
- Negotiation
Sales Executive FAQs
How do I become a sales executive in the UK?
You don't need a degree to become a sales executive in the UK. The most reliable route is a mix of short formal training (college course, apprenticeship, or industry-recognised certification) and hands-on experience as quickly as possible - typically through an entry-level role, apprenticeship, or paid work-shadowing. Most people get their first proper role within 0 - 1 year once they commit to the path.
How much do sales executives earn in the UK?
Entry-level sales executive roles in the UK pay £24,000 - £32,000 (+ commission). Mid-career sales executives earn £40,000 - £70,000 (+ commission). Senior or specialist sales executives earn £80,000 - £200,000+ OTE. Pay varies by region (London and the South East typically sit at the top of the range), employer, and specialism.
Do you need a degree to be a sales executive?
No - you don't need a degree to become a sales executive in the UK. The official line: not required. Employers and clients care more about demonstrable skill, hands-on experience, and the right attitude than formal qualifications.
Is sales executive a good career in the UK?
Sales Executive can be a strong career choice in the UK if it matches how you actually like to work. On stability: always in demand. Competition for roles is generally moderate. Day-to-day environment: office, field, or remote. The honest answer depends on your personality and priorities - the trade-offs (hours, responsibility, pace) matter as much as the salary.
Is Sales Executive right for you?
Career Compass ranks careers from your interests and priorities and explains every suggestion, with UK routes and trade-offs. See how well Sales Executive actually fits you. £19.99 once, full report included.
Still deciding whether sales executive is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.