Rallier
Politicker
14
SDR Manager and Consultant
It entirely depends on the company. I have a hard time relying on commissions, because companies often exaggerate what's achievable. 
swizard
Celebrated Contributor
5
Sales Evangelist
Good point Rallier - in this case we've got quite reasonable  commission attainment opportunity for the sales team - as product is good, market demand is there and we've got the sufficient delivery capacity.
slaydie
Big Shot
4
Account Executive
Companies always over exaggerate. Go for the high base to make sure income is guaranteed.
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
1
Exec Director, Major Accounts
Bingo. I preach this constantly. Always get cash in hand! 
Hotsaw
Politicker
0
VP Sales
Fantastic point... it's very dependent on the company and what you're selling. I tend to favor the guarantee unless the upside is truly uncapped
E_Money
Big Shot
8
💰
I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you can't pay your bills with your base then the job is not worth it. And if "low commission" means capped, then I am out on that one too. #knowyourworth 
Lambda
Tycoon
4
Sales Consultant
High commission especially if the industry really is uncapped, challenge yourself
swizard
Celebrated Contributor
5
Sales Evangelist
Sounds like a sharp-shooter attitude. agreed!
braintank
Politicker
4
Enterprise Account Executive
Why not 50/50 split. I work in B2B SaaS sales and that's all I've seen for the past 10+ years.
swizard
Celebrated Contributor
4
Sales Evangelist
interesting to hear. 
ChiefGreef45
Catalyst
0
Account Executive
This is the case for me as well.  Any SaaS company I've spoken with usually takes on this model
SlideDecksAreUseless
Personal Narrative
0
AE
super common - I've always worked on a 50/50 split 
SheWOLF
Opinionated
1
TC Sales
High commission, break that comp plan every month and save well. Sales is a roller coaster, budget, save and plan. 
swizard
Celebrated Contributor
4
Sales Evangelist
very well said! 
Salespreuner
Big Shot
1
Regional Sales Director
Base needs to be higher
If industry is demanding and untapped, more commission
swizard
Celebrated Contributor
4
Sales Evangelist
thanks! 
saleskick
Opinionated
1
Sales Specialist
As long as company has a good product market fit and the management's expectations are reasonable - screw the base - ask for the highest  commission possible and kick your butt to overshoot the targets
swizard
Celebrated Contributor
5
Sales Evangelist
Very valid remark and the point of view. thanks saleskick! 
CCP
Opinionated
1
VP, Business Development
Sales cycle is an important consideration. Tough to accept a low base if you're going to need 2 years to close a deal, for example. 
goodculturefit
Opinionated
1
Senior Account Executive
I have two kids, a wife, and a mortgage. At this point in the game, the base salary has to be good. 
MsTech
Executive
1
Business Development Executive
I agree with E_Money... Base salary should definitely cover your living expenses. Commission should be a great performance incentive, but you have to remember that commissions are taxed at a higher rate than base salary, and are NOT protected by labor laws. I cut my teeth on those 50/50 plans, and have seen my commission go up in smoke for trivial reasons by sleazy management. Today, I enjoy my six figure base + sizeable uncapped commission plan. Not worrying about how I'm paying my bills, or if Management is going to screw me on commission, helps me to focus on selling those big ticket deals. There's something to be said for "loyalty". 
AlecBaldwinsHairline
Valued Contributor
1
Head of Sales Development
I preferred higher base when I didn't know wtf I was doing.

Now I would slay for a decent guarantee with high commish.
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you can't pay your bills with your base then the job is not worth it.
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you can't pay your bills with your base then the job is not worth it.
privateryan
Politicker
0
Director of Sales
I’m at 0 base and 11% commission where the average ticket is only 25k per contract…but you get 1-3 a week for about 30 weeks out of the year and 0-1 a week the rest. About 2mil a year in sales is good. Not a bad living but I’d hate it at, say, 55k base and 5% commission (a comp plan they offer and fools actually take) 
Wishbone
Opinionated
0
Enterprise Account Executive
I really like a high base and Hugh comp
BWE
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
I had a strange job offer with a low base (paid biweekly), commission (based on performance) and then a guaranteed "Sales Incentive Program" paid monthly... I found it sort of strange. Has anyone had a pay structure like this?
beerisforclosers
Politicker
0
Account Manager
High commission but base has to be live-able. Maybe not ball out best life but at least covering the basic bills.
Smithy
Politicker
0
Director of Sales
Depends on a lot of factors, but I'd say that a higher base is more important now and a reasonable OTE rather than 'low'
SalesSage
Valued Contributor
0
National Account Manager
Ya know what I just want to make more money and for being at the top of the game at my org and hitting the mark I still don't get paid enough.  I want to say high commission but it is the truth that the "sky is the limit" they try to play off as reality is bull shit.  The sky isn't the limit because there are literally only so many hours in a day and at any point the accounts you landed can be pulled due to reorganization.  This post tapped right into my frustrated 'rock and a hard place' spot I am banging my head against.  
Finesy
Valued Contributor
0
Account Representative III
Neither. High base and astronomical commission or bust. 
Swagstpic
0
Account Director
Option C: uncapped commission 
slay_that_saas
Fire Starter
0
Account Executive
I like the sure thing in this economy. Depends on industry though.
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
If it is low base high commission then the org better be super focused on demand generation and helping to get leads and opportunities into the pipeline or else you are screwed. 
MontBlanc
Notable Contributor
0
Senior Account Executive
Depends on how low the base is and whether equity is a part of this comp plan.
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
0
War Room Enthusiast
I think high commision inspires reps more to keep killing it!
AnchorPoint
Politicker
0
Business Coach
Base is simply commission paid over 12 months.
jefe
Arsonist
0
🍁
As others are saying, it truly depends on the company and market.

OTE is often such BS, but playing it safe doesn't make you the real money.
dwightyouignorantsale
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Well…. in this case you would need to define “average base”. Is it $10K more than “low base” or is it $50K more? I would generally opt for a higher base with lower commission opportunities than vice versa, but I’m talking 6 figure bases versus a $50K base.
sellingsellssold
Politicker
0
SDR
Always take the higher base and lower commission just because you never know what could happen… for example covid
JDialz
Politicker
0
Chief Operating Officer
Wtf is base?
9
Members only

Higher base + lower commission or lower base with higher commission?

Discussion
48
2

Higher base salary or decent commission structure with accelerators?

Question
9
Which do you prefer?
64% Higher base salary
36% Decent commission plan with good accelerators
85 people voted
13
Members only

Base pay💵 vs Commission💰

Question
37
Do you prefer a higher base or commission
65% Base pay📈
35% Commission💸
127 people voted