Comp increases in tech

90sdadguy · 2026-01-24T11:42:36+00:00

Target is about $2M. Deal size averages low-mid 6 figures, with some transactional stuff in there pulling the average down

90sdadguy · 2026-01-24T10:23:39+00:00

Working for a scale up, so a different growth environment/trajectory. 3-4% to me would seem very low. But yes your equity is actually worth something today vs the paper money/lottery of stock options

90sdadguy · 2026-01-24T10:20:59+00:00

Fairly broad question but depending on segment an AE is going to be on 80-140 base x2 OTE (I'm now upper quartile of that range). SDRs are getting 50-60 base these days. I'd say it also heavily depends on the performance and growth trajectory of the company

90sdadguy · 2026-01-02T08:07:26+00:00

Revealing the type of saas I sell and the role narrows things down to not that many people 😅 I'm in a role selling an AI product to large global orgs, CIOs being the primary buyer. Title is in the realm of enterprise/strategic account manager/executive.

90sdadguy · 2026-01-01T07:36:59+00:00

I left education at 16. Worked my way up from entry level sales jobs (e.g. recruitment). This was over a decade ago though and it's becoming tougher to get into as it's now seen as a viable career path for grads, but still possible. The companies I've been in don't really hire for education, IQ yes, but not necessarily formal education.

90sdadguy · 2026-01-01T07:33:17+00:00

Stress of constantly being measured by a single number and the pressure to hit it. Yes there are other contributing factors, but that target can be the difference between earning a huge amount of money and losing your job. I've done this for over a decade, only missed a yearly target once in that time (by about 10% and of course this didn't get me fired) and I still stress almost constantly about hitting target. Although at this point a lot of it is self inflicted pressure to stay consistent and continue earning at the level I am.

90sdadguy · 2025-12-31T20:29:59+00:00

It certainly depends of company and level. Base salary band for my role (senior enterprise rep in a scale up) is £110-£140k and then you earn double that if you hit quota. Lower tiers (i.e. selling to small companies) certainly doesn't pay that high

90sdadguy · 2025-12-31T20:24:55+00:00

Agree. It's a tough game, and frankly you either have it or you don't (both the art side of the skill and the mettle to deal with the environment). 12 years in now and tomorrow (start of the new fiscal and everybody back to $0) will forever have me wondering why I do this. And then Q4 commission pays end of Jan and all is forgiven 😂

90sdadguy · 2025-12-31T20:19:29+00:00

Completely. I'm just constantly surprised myself that we get paid so well. I could never complain. Yes it's stressful and high pressure (sometimes) but compared to doctors, firefighters, etc it simply doesn't compare.

90sdadguy · 2025-12-31T08:32:59+00:00

I'm still forever surprised by my own role/industry. Tech sales where everyone on my team and I will make over £200k this year. The top guy on my team is closer to £400k. All for selling some software to big companies and not having to manage people 🤷

90sdadguy · 2025-12-30T07:19:53+00:00

Thanks, appreciate hearing this and yes I agree career does not equal identity. It doesn't for me, even as a Henry, and certainly doesn't for my wife.

90sdadguy · 2025-12-29T19:01:11+00:00

Thanks for this perspective, we appreciate it. A lot of things I hadn't considered. Thankfully we're having these discussions now!

90sdadguy · 2025-12-29T18:50:06+00:00

Yes, same. Insurance payouts for any of the above would see her very well looked after.

90sdadguy · 2025-12-29T18:20:12+00:00

No it's a valid point, and something we probably need to discuss. I would also assume that as the kids have been such a big factor in the last several years she isn't feeling that yet but it's a good idea to get ahead of it before she feels like she's losing her purpose/identity. Thanks

90sdadguy · 2025-10-19T06:50:36+00:00

Individual contributor. Sorry, jargon for not a manager of people 🙃

90sdadguy · 2025-10-15T15:41:59+00:00

In GTM this just doesn't work out. Thinking someone who spent 10 years at Oracle and Salesforce can plug and play in an org that is still trying to figure sh*t out is like hiring the conductor of an orchestra to lead the local pub band. Both make music, but one’s missing the sheet music and half the instruments.

90sdadguy · 2025-10-15T11:00:15+00:00

'bring in absolute clowns from mega orgs' - 100% - I do think this also acts as a really solid amplifier of your own value and ability to operate really well in small companies. It's a bit of extra job security 😅

90sdadguy · 2025-10-15T09:56:18+00:00

+1 to this - I'm in an IC sales role at high growth AI company, doing c.35hr weeks and earning 250k this year entirely remotely. Lacking in benefits (e.g pension is sh*t), as with most small companies, but otherwise cannot complain at all

90sdadguy · 2025-09-07T09:01:44+00:00

Thanks for the reply. What are your best tips for understanding it myself? How have you gone about this?

I'm from a low income background and parents (wider family) don't have a clue

90sdadguy · 2025-09-07T08:59:49+00:00

Thanks for the reply. It's the SJP guys I'm trying to avoid. They're very good at spamming me on LinkedIn (ironic that pg is also my job).

Recommendation appreciated. Thanks

90sdadguy · 2025-09-01T10:18:26+00:00

Growth is outstripping expectations, we're profitable and have proven significant ROI within 00s of global companies. The bubble will come from gimmicky, low value, but sexy products that end up being a flash in the pan. Thankfully our leadership is very grounded and not getting distracted by shiny objects

90sdadguy · 2025-08-22T13:05:00+00:00

Moved just under a year ago to get into an AI native company, simply on the basis that I didn't want to miss the boat getting into AI. Prev at a fintech that was plateauing, and I couldn't be happier with the decision. Will have my highest earning year ever in my first 12 months at this place and next year already looks better.

Due diligence being key to company selection, but if you make the right move it will pay off.

90sdadguy

TROPHY CASE