11 of the Best Types of Business Development Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Business Development jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Business Development Jobs

• Director Business Development

  Salary range: $93,500 - $151,500

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Business Development Executive

  Salary range: $63,000 - $100,000

  The qualifications you need to become a business development executive vary depending on your employer and the industry in which you work. To pursue this career path, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a field relevant to your industry, such as engineering or computer science. A graduate degree, particularly a master’s of business administration (MBA), often helps to advance your career. You need significant experience in your industry before becoming part of the management team. A lower level position within a single company is a great way to start your career path.

• Business Development Manager

  Salary range: $61,000 - $100,000

  Qualifications for a business development manager (BDM) include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration. Someone pursuing this career typically starts out in the marketing, sales, or human resources department within a company to gain experience. People who work in a specific industry, such as tech, may also have a background in that particular field. The main duties of a business development manager are to develop business relationships or strategic partnerships with existing clients and find new sales leads.

• Independent Contractor Business Development

  Salary range: $61,000 - $100,000

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.

• Full Time Business Development

  Salary range: $61,000 - $100,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Business Development Junior

  Salary range: $53,000 - $71,000

  Business Development Junior is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Business Development Junior jobs pay between $53,000 (25th percentile) and $71,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Business Development Junior job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Business Development Coordinator

  Salary range: $43,000 - $66,000

  The qualifications that you need to become a business development coordinator include a business-related degree and planning skills. Some employers prefer job applicants with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. You should get an MBA with a focus related to your specific industry. In this career, companies expect previous experience in business administration or in the area in which you work. For example, if you focus on sales, you need experience as a salesperson or marketing professional. Your job requires you to work under deadlines and set and meet benchmarks, so you need strong time management skills.

• Entry Level Business Development

  Salary range: $41,500 - $63,500

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Business Development Temporary

  Salary range: $41,500 - $63,500

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Business Development Trainee

  Salary range: $44,500 - $61,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Internship Business Development

  Salary range: $34,000 - $46,500

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.