One of the most common questions I get from SaaS founders and hiring managers is "what should I pay?" Based on placements and market conversations across early-stage SaaS companies in the United States, here are the benchmarks for 2026.
Account Executive, SMB
| Company Size | Base Salary | OTE | Annual Quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–25 employees | $55K–$70K | $110K–$130K | $600K–$900K |
| 25–50 employees | $65K–$80K | $120K–$150K | $800K–$1.2M |
| 50–100 employees | $70K–$90K | $130K–$170K | $1M–$1.5M |
VP of Sales
| Funding Stage | Base Salary | OTE | Typical Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seed / Pre-Series A | $140K–$160K | $220K–$280K | 0.5%–1.5% |
| Series A | $160K–$190K | $280K–$360K | 0.25%–0.75% |
| Series B | $180K–$220K | $320K–$420K | 0.1%–0.4% |
Customer Success Manager
| Company Size | Base Salary | OTE | Book of Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–25 employees | $60K–$75K | $80K–$100K | $500K–$1M ARR |
| 25–1,000 employees | $75K–$95K | $100K–$130K | $1M–$3M ARR |
Notes: All figures are USD. OTE assumes 100% quota attainment. Equity ranges are for first hires at each stage. Remote roles in lower cost-of-living areas may be 10–15% lower on base.
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