I was in the mix for a Leadership Role At Salesforce and it didn’t pan out. Ultimately it came down to the fact that I don’t come from a tech company and the guys at the top didn’t trust my background (even though the VP locally was sold). I’m now in the mix for higher level AE roles (Mid-Commercial, Commercial Etc). I’m currently in a leadership role at UPS in Texas, managing my own sales team and comfortably bringing home anywhere from $180K-$220K TC a year. Salesforce tells me I can make that much as an individual contributor. Do their mid-level AEs REALLY make that much or is it only a small minority? Am I crazy for stepping out of a Leadership role to be an AE? I really want to get into tech sales and the only way to do it might be to take a step back to an individual contributor role. #salesforce #sales #ae
Sounds about right. That's probably before stock and espp.
That’s below average pay for a territory account rep in tech. I would be shocked if mid-market wasn’t at least 20% higher than your best case scenario, if not significantly more. Not crazy at all. I passed on leadership roles in AT&T and went to be an AE in tech. I make way more and I’m not responsible for the numbers of 15 people who can’t sell as well as me.
Thanks for the reply. Do you think that pay is still 20% higher in Texas? I’m just wondering if the pay for the higher level AE roles I see in Glassdoor is California or NY inflating everything else.
I would trust what the Salesforce guy above says about comp since he’ll have more specific insight. But where I am I’d have a hard time picturing any mid-market rep to not be making *at least* that regardless of location. And my company isn’t known for having the highest comp in tech. Really I’d be guessing they’re at least $280-320.
If you're coming from leadership why not go for enterprise AE?
I was actually in the mix for an Enterprise AE role but this Mid-Commercial team recruited me first and we’ve kind of run with that... I’m thinking I just need to get in and then 1yr down the road start putting my name in the hat for better opportunities in the company. Bad plan?
I'm not from Salesforce so idk their internal process but I would say if you can get in at Enterprise from the start go that route
I would try and get the highest role possible. I thought I was interviewing for a GB role and ended up in MM. They’ve added layers into MM roles now before you get to GB and then have 2 more layers in GB ( GB & Strategic AE ) before you can get to Enterprise. Designed to give someone the feeling of a promotion but it’s just a higher “pay” role and less accounts , but it’s the same job.
Is the base salary role much of an increase from layer to layer? I’m at $102K base right now in my leadership role at UPS. Hoping to be around that for this Mid-Commercial role but I think they will offer low $90K range. I have my final presentation today.
You can definitely get them over 100k for the base in that role but as others have said, given your experience I'd hold out for an enterprise role at SFDC
240 is average in tech sales.
$280K OTE $140K Base $140K Variable Plus overtime. Take the plunge.
Interested how an AE is earning overtime.
@expiredput Companies based in California have to track pay hourly. You’ll get your base salary. It will then be just put into a 40 hour work week. You submit your time weekly or bi-monthly. Overtime paid at higher rate. SalesForce brings up earning extra off overtime hours as a way to make more. Anecdotally reps from SFDC told me the same.
AEs make more than first line managers....make the switch. i never get why AEs want to move into sales management, more headache, less upside until you hit VP
MM AE here in Texas. You should easily be able to hit $180k, middle of the pack is correct. If they continue 2X spiff even easier. First year is hard, but great leadership in MM Texas that have seen continued growth YOY.
Thanks for the feedback. Would love to DM you a couple of questions if you don’t mind.
Of course happy to help!
I did this. Was a Director with a team, left to be an IC acct manager. I loved leadership but I’m making better $$ now. Not at Salesforce but in tech. TC: $200k
Interesting. Thanks for the feedback!
Mid market AEs crushes that fairly easily. That said results are of course varied. Joining middle of the year means you’re backfilling for vacant roles because you missed G4G (Go For Growth, the annual account reshuffling season). That’s to be expected whether you’re joining Salesforce or anywhere else though. First year you’re more at mercy of what’s handed to you. Second year you can interview around during G4G and somewhat control your own destiny.
Thanks for the reply. Great info to know. Is the pay generally the same throughout the country? This role is in Texas.
We have 4 bands based on Geo - depending on where you are in Texas it should prob be 10-20% less than SF/NYC pay. If you do at least middle of the pack you should still be easily beating out current comp by a chunk.