Sales career guide

Account Executive salary in India (2026)

By Vandana Agarwal, sales development leader · Updated 4 November 2026

Account Executives (AEs) at SaaS companies in India typically earn ₹17–30 lakh a year in total pay (fixed plus variable), from what I have seen working in sales. How much of that is fixed depends on the company. Enterprise roles at large global software companies often pay more; SMB and India-only roles often pay less.

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What moves AE pay up or down

Segment and deal size come first: enterprise AEs running large, long deals usually earn more than SMB AEs closing many small ones. The market you sell into, the company's size and funding, and your record against quota also move the offer.

OTE, commission and quota

AE offers are quoted as OTE, on-target earnings: fixed pay plus commission at 100% of quota. AEs usually carry a bigger variable share than SDRs, paid on closed revenue. The quota decides whether that variable is real: an OTE is only worth what the team actually hits.

What to ask before you accept

Ask for the fixed and variable split, the quota and how it was set, what share of AEs hit quota last year, whether commission is capped, whether there are accelerators above quota, any clawbacks, and how long the ramp is before full quota applies.

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Questions people ask

What is the average Account Executive salary in India?

Most AE roles at SaaS companies pay around ₹17–30 lakh a year in total pay, fixed plus variable. Enterprise roles at large global companies often pay more, and SMB or India-only roles often less.

What is OTE for an Account Executive?

On-target earnings: fixed pay plus the commission you earn at 100% of quota. Ask for the split, because two offers with the same OTE can carry very different risk.

How is AE commission paid?

As a share of the revenue you close, usually paid monthly or quarterly once the deal is signed or paid. Many plans pay more per rupee above quota (accelerators); some cap it.

What share of AEs hit quota?

It varies widely by company, which is why you should ask. If few AEs on the team hit quota last year, the variable part of the OTE is unlikely, and the fixed part is what you should compare.

How much does pay go up from SDR to AE?

A clear step up: SDRs at SaaS companies in India typically earn ₹10–22 lakh a year in total pay, AEs ₹17–30 lakh, with more of it tied to closed revenue.

Do remote AE roles for global companies pay more?

Often, when they sell into the US, UK, Europe or the Middle East. Check the currency, whether you are an employee or a contractor, and who pays for benefits.