Best Entry-Level Tech Sales Jobs

accelerating income career advancement insights tech sales Oct 11, 2024

Best Entry-Level Tech Sales Jobs for 2025

If you’re looking to break into the tech industry in 2025, there’s no better entry point than tech sales. I’ve coached hundreds of individuals, many from modest backgrounds or other industries, who successfully transitioned into high-paying roles in tech sales. And the great thing is, tech sales continues to offer some of the best entry-level opportunities that can set you on a fast path to a six-figure career.

Now, let’s dive into the best entry-level tech sales roles for 2025 and see which ones align with your goals and skill set.

1. Sales Development Representative (SDR)

When people talk about getting started in tech sales, the SDR role is usually the first that comes to mind. It’s the perfect starting point if you’re looking to build foundational sales skills and get your foot in the door at a tech company.

Why SDR? SDRs focus on outbound prospecting, generating leads, and scheduling meetings for Account Executives. This role allows you to master the basics of sales while developing skills like communication, objection handling, and persistence—skills that’ll serve you in every sales role you take on from here.

What’s the Pay? The average SDR salary ranges from $65,000 to $80,000 OTE (on-target earnings), which includes base salary plus commissions. And with great performance, you can quickly move up to a closing role like an Account Executive, where the earning potential is even higher.

Key Tip: If you’re breaking in, don’t just apply to random SDR positions. Target companies that offer solid training programs and mentorship, so you can learn and grow. Look for roles at companies like Salesforce, HubSpot, or MongoDB—they invest heavily in their sales teams.

2. Business Development Representative (BDR)

The BDR role is similar to an SDR but usually involves more strategic outreach and relationship-building with high-value clients or larger accounts. This role is excellent if you’re looking to refine your sales approach and handle more complex deals.

What Makes BDRs Different? BDRs are more focused on targeting specific segments or industries and may also handle some inbound leads. The role requires more strategic thinking and deep research skills because you’re working to engage key decision-makers at potential client companies.

Earning Potential: BDRs typically earn between $70,000 and $100,000 OTE, depending on the company and location. Many companies, like Oracle or LinkedIn, use BDR roles to fast-track high-potential candidates into Account Executive or Sales Manager positions.

Why It’s a Great Move: If you’re interested in working on complex accounts and preparing for a closing role, BDR is an ideal entry-level position. It positions you to understand different market segments and interact with senior executives early on in your career.

3. Account Development Representative (ADR)

This is a more specialized role, but it’s gaining traction in the tech sales world. ADRs focus on high-value accounts and look for new business opportunities within existing relationships. It’s a great role if you’ve already got some sales experience and want to pivot into tech.

Key Responsibilities:

Drive new business by identifying opportunities for upselling or cross-selling within existing accounts.
Support Account Executives by nurturing long-term client relationships and building customer loyalty.

Salary Range: ADRs typically earn around $75,000 to $90,000 OTE. The role often comes with incentives tied to customer retention and expansion.

My Advice: This isn’t as common as the SDR or BDR role, so if you find an ADR position, consider applying. Fewer people know about it, and you’ll face less competition!

4. Market Development Representative (MDR)

An MDR focuses on developing new markets and creating demand for a company’s products. This role is a hybrid between marketing and sales, so it’s great if you want a bit of both worlds.

Why Consider an MDR Role? You’ll work closely with marketing teams to run campaigns and generate demand for your company’s products and services. You’ll also develop content and strategies to educate potential customers on what your product can do for them.

Compensation: The MDR role usually offers an OTE of $70,000 to $90,000. Depending on the company, you may also have opportunities to earn bonuses based on campaign success and lead conversion.

Best Fit: This is ideal if you have a background in marketing or are passionate about working on the front lines of business growth. It’s also a great springboard into roles like Demand Generation Manager or Sales Operations.

5. Demand Generation Representative (DGR)

DGRs are responsible for bridging the gap between marketing and sales. They take leads generated from marketing campaigns and convert them into qualified sales opportunities.

Role Highlights:

Manage leads and move them through the sales funnel.
Work closely with marketing to optimize strategies for demand generation.

Average Salary: DGRs earn $70,000 to $100,000 OTE, making it one of the higher-paying entry-level positions. You’ll be in constant collaboration with the marketing and sales teams, gaining a holistic view of the company’s sales process.

Why This Role? It’s perfect if you’re analytical and enjoy working with data to refine strategies. Plus, you’ll have the chance to interact with multiple departments, which can be beneficial for career growth.

Why Break Into Tech Sales in 2025?

Tech sales is booming, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. In 2025, companies are expected to increase investments in technology products, digital transformation initiatives, and innovative software solutions. They need skilled sales professionals to help drive growth and adoption.

The best part? You don’t need a tech background to get started. Many tech sales positions, like SDR and BDR, don’t require technical skills. What you need are communication skills, persistence, and a willingness to learn.

Pro Tip: Apply to roles at companies that invest in their training and development programs. That way, you’ll get the support you need to succeed right from the start.

Ready to Start?

Want to dive deeper into how to land these roles and accelerate your career in tech sales? Consider booking a 1:1 coaching session with me or join my Patreon community for exclusive access to my ebook, “Breaking Into Tech Sales: Exclusive Career Guide.” It’s packed with insider tips, a detailed 90-day plan, and step-by-step advice to help you secure your first tech sales job and set yourself up for success.

Let’s get you on the path to earning what you deserve in tech sales!

— Antoine Wade

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